How’d We Get Here?

The Wizards went into the season knowing they’d be without John Wall, and despite Bradley Beal’s brilliance this was largely going to be a developmental season. By that measure it should be viewed as successful, with Washington uncovering a gem in Davis Bertans and some growth from Thomas Bryant, Troy Brown, Moritz Wagner and Isaac Bonga, among others. Not to mention a solid start to Rui Hachimura’s career and the team adding another potential contributor in Jerome Robinson. Beal remains the only guy who’s locked-in as a foundational piece (trade rumors be damned) but the Wizards should feel alright about some of their younger guys approaching that tier in secondary roles.

Even with Wall back healthy, this was going to be Beal’s team. The Wizards kicked that potentially uncomfortable transition down the road — i.e., into the abyss — by trading Wall for Russell Westbrook, whose whole issue with Houston was not having the ball enough. That’s one way to go about things.

Offseason Moves

Arrivals: Russell Westbrook, Robin Lopez, Anthony Gill, Raul Neto
Rookie Arrivals: No. 9 Deni Avdija, No. 53 Cassius Winston
Departures: John Wall, Admiral Schofield, Jerian Grant, Jarrod Uthoff
Retained: Davis Bertans, Garrison Mathews (2W)

Depth Chart and Minutes Per Game

PG: Russell Westbrook (32-35) / Ish Smith (19-24) / Raul Neto* / Cassius Winston
SG: Bradley Beal (35.5-36.5) / Deni Avdija (18-26) / Jerome Robinson (0, 12-24) / Garrison Mathews
SF: Isaac Bonga (0, 13-22) / Troy Brown Jr. (25-29)
PF: Rui Hachimura (30-32) / Davis Bertans (29-32) / Anthony Gill
C: Thomas Bryant (20-25) / Moe Wagner (0, 18-22) / Robin Lopez (0, 13-18)

Position Battles

Point Guard: The Wizards swapped one expensive, injured point guard whose game can be tough to work around for an expensive, slightly less injured point guard whose game might be tough to work around. Russell Westbrook will hold down the PG spot and the real battle will be in the second unit, where Ish Smith should be the backup with Raul Neto and Cassius Winston jockeying behind him.

Shooting Guard: Bradley Beal’s approaching superstardom and is going to play a ton. Jerome Robinson and Garrison Mathews will be the primary bench options but we could see Troy Brown slide over here if the Wizards want to run a little bigger up front.

Small Forward: If there’s one spot that’s not clear-cut, it’s small forward. Isaac Bonga, Brown and rookie Deni Avdija will be competing for minutes in a wide-open battle. Bonga proved to be a capable low-maintenance defensive conscience for the starters last season but Brown and Avdija are the far more promising prospects. The ultimate question might be whether they’re better suited for bench groups that feature them more prominently. We’d expect Brown to lead the group in playing time no matter who starts and Avdija could chip away over the course of the season.

Power Forward: The Wizards have a nice one-two punch with Rui Hachimura and Davis Bertans so there shouldn’t be a ton of minutes left over for anyone else. New acquisition Anthony Gill gives Washington another potential floor-spacer but is going to have to scrap just to get into the rotation.

Center: Thomas Bryant is locked in to the starting lineup but his injury history and lack of footspeed will conspire to keep him from carving out a huge workload. Moritz Wagner and Robin Lopez can spell him for stretches, and perhaps we’ll see some lineups with Hachimura at center to get all of Washington’s wings and guards onto the floor.

Outlook

*Note that the fantasy values/games played are indicative of the official fantasy season; they do not include the NBA restart in Orlando

Bradley Beal, SG

ADP: 15.2 / 11.3 ESPN / Yahoo

Per-Game Value: 10 / 10 (8/9-cat)

Total Value: 11 / 11 (8/9-cat)

Games Played: 57

2019-20 Review: There’s a lot we could say about Beal’s season, but it’s all going to boil down to the fact that he’s really friggin’ good. He added nearly five extra points per contest on his way to a career-high 30.6 mark, also setting new bests with 6.1 assists and 3.0 triples. Beal’s usage of 34.4 was also a career-high by a comfortable margin. He scored at least 20 points in each of his final 23 games, including back-to-back 50-point games and five 40-point showings. The steals slipped but he was still at 1.2 per game, and honestly it would take an absolute cratering in multiple other categories to undo the gains made in Beal’s brilliant offensive season.

This Year: Beal was going to have to contend with the return of John Wall, which meant his assists and field goal attempts are likely coming down, but now he has to contend with Russell Westbrook. That means his assists and field goal attempts are likely coming down. The workload is still going to be large enough that there’s an early-round floor as it’s become clear that Beal is a true superstar talent.

Injury History: Beal missed seven games in an eight-game stretch around the new year because of right leg soreness but was otherwise healthy up until the season resumption. He opted out of playing in Washington’s bubble games because of a right rotator cuff issue, which he had apparently been dealing with on and off throughout the year. In the past Beal has dealt with sprains to both ankles, injuries to both wrists (including surgery for a non-displaced fracture) and right fibula problems that were followed by a stress reaction in his right leg, but was able to put together back-to-back 82-game campaigns before this past season.

Outlook: Beal and Westbrook are a much more natural fit than Beal and Wall, with Westbrook a bit more willing to defer. That was as odd to write as it sounds. He’s a solid pick around the first-round turn.

Russell Westbrook, PG

ADP: 14.4 / 17.2 ESPN / Yahoo

Per-Game Value: 13 / 37 (8/9-cat)

Total Value: 18 / 41 (8/9-cat)

Games Played: 53

2019-20 Review: Westbrook’s first season in Houston was rocky, to say the least, and while it ended with him playing terribly and taking the Rockets out of playoff games we did get a glimpse at the type of player The Brodie can be when he’s not going full tilt. It was a different but equally effective fantasy asset, with Westbrook trading some of those triple-doubles in for better efficiency. The concerns about Westbrook and James Harden cannibalizing each other’s counting stats was only partially correct, as it was Westbrook that took most of the hits.

Even though he averaged “only” 8.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.7 steals, improved percentages kept him level as a top-15/40 type. After going .428 from the field and .656 from the line in his final year with the Thunder, Westbrook rocketed up (sorry) to a career-best .474 from the floor and a solid .777 mark at the charity stripe. As for the negatives, he shot an atrocious .254 on 3.8 3-point attempts per contest, and his postseason play was a highlight reel of everything negative that’s said about him. Despite the ups and downs, there were glimpses of a more effective fantasy player when Westbrook shied away from his worst tendencies.

This Year: While the Rockets were built to play to Westbrook’s strengths, he only hit peak levels occasionally and missed the insane usage and responsibility of his Thunder days. He requested a trade early in the offseason and ended up with the Wizards, which isn’t the worst fit in the world. He’s a better fit next to Bradley Beal than John Wall was and the Wizards have the potential to surround Brodie with four shooters. The Scott Brooks connection doesn’t hurt either.

Injury History: Westbrook didn’t play in any of the team’s back-to-back sets but wasn’t really on the injury report until the bubble, when right quad problems (a contusion and strain) kept him out of eight contests, including four playoff games. He missed one regular season game due to a left thumb issue but that’s not of any concern. Westbrook also tested positive for COVID-19, which may have had a lot to do with his poor play in Orlando.

The reason for all that rest was offseason surgeries to repair a ligament in his right thumb as well as clean up his troublesome right knee. He underwent another procedure on that right knee in September of 2018, which cost him two regular season games in 2018-19; a campaign in which he also missed six games because of a right ankle sprain. Going back further, Westbrook suffered a lateral meniscus tear in 2013, dealt with a fractured hand in 2014 and a cheek fracture in 2015.

Outlook: Well, Houston tried to build a system that would make Westbrook look great, and now that system is gone. He’s just not an early-round option unless the supporting cast is built properly. Consider Westbrook a top-50 guy who will have spurts of crazy vintage games in a more traditional setup, even if he’ll still slot in behind Beal in the pecking order.

Davis Bertans, PF

ADP: 138.7 / 136.1 ESPN / Yahoo

Per-Game Value: 74 / 62 (8/9-cat)

Total Value: 82 / 64 (8/9-cat)

Games Played: 54

2019-20 Review: Bertans had always been a capable 3-point shooter, but he lacked opportunity as a bench player in San Antonio. He ended up in Washington with the Spurs angling to sign Marcus Morris and simply took off. Bertans only started four of his 54 games but he was dynamite, pouring in 15.4 points and 3.7 3-pointers per game while also increasing his complementary numbers: 4.5 rebounds (up from 3.5), 0.7 steals (up from 0.5) and 0.6 blocks (up from 0.4). That last trio may be more a product of Bertans’ playing time spiking by eight minutes more than anything else, but the scoring and threes were legit. An elite 3-point marksman, Bertans should be looking at a big raise in free agency.

This Year: Bertans was looking for a big contract on the open market and got one, singing back with the Wiz for five years and $80 million. The paycheck will help his case but the sharpshooter may be hard-pressed to repeat last year’s 29.3 mpg. While he’s an elite floor-spacer, there are still some defensive limitations to his game, and his involvement last year was undoubtedly influenced by the Wizards’ lack of depth and injuries. Bertans’ stat set isn’t one whose floor will be affected by usage, but its ceiling sure is up for debate.

Injury History: Last season, the Latvian sharpshooter missed one game with right knee soreness and nine with a right quad strain. Bertans missed two games with a concussion in 2018-19 but has been healthy in the NBA otherwise. He did suffer two torn ACLs while playing in Spain but his knees haven’t given him serious trouble since.

Outlook: All that said about his ceiling, Bertans seems like a decent bet to repeat last year’s success and will be an elite source of triples as a top-85/65 type. He’s going to be a steal at his ADP.

Shabazz Napier, PG

ADP: — / — ESPN / Yahoo

Per-Game Value: 115 / 151 (8/9-cat)

Total Value: 140 / 168 (8/9-cat)

Games Played: 51

2019-20 Review: Starting the season as a backup for Minnesota, Napier rose into the starting five when Jeff Teague hit the injury report, he bench and then Atlanta, with Jarrett Culver proving incapable of handling the PG position as a rookie. Napier, as is custom, was a solid low-end guard when the minutes were there for him, and he ended up averaging 9.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.3 3-pointers in 23.8 mpg with the Wolves, making 22 starts in 36 games. It looked like Napier’s run of fantasy value would end with a trade to the Nuggets, but they quickly re-routed him to Washington. Napier had similar success with the Wizards, posting 11.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 threes in 24.4 mpg, with 10 starts in 20 games. He was able to put together some runs of top-120 value whenever he entered the starting five.

This Year: Napier’s late-round campaign was largely a product of being in the right place at the right time, so it’s unlikely that he ends up making 30 starts again next year. He’s a free agent and the Wizards are expected to try and retain him, but Napier might look for more playing time elsewhere on the market. He’ll be a high-quality backup for someone, which means he’ll need some help to stay on the standard-league map.

Injury History: Napier missed the final three bubble games with a right ankle sprain though it’s worth pointing out that the Wizards were out of it by then. During the year he missed 12 games with a right hamstring strain and one for illness. In 2018-19 Napier also dealt with right hamstring issues throughout the campaign, and he had hernia surgery way back in 2015.

Outlook: Napier’s been getting crunched by the league’s economic situation as he’s still a free agent.

Thomas Bryant, C

ADP: 61.1 / 69.1 ESPN / Yahoo

Per-Game Value: 117 / 108 (8/9-cat)

Total Value: 201 / 198 (8/9-cat)

Games Played: 38

2019-20 Review: Bryant was a popular middle-round selection after a breakout run with the Wizards down the stretch in 2018-19, but the market was simply way too aggressive on a player whose flaws would prevent him from seeing a massive spike in playing time. It showed, and injuries kept Bryant from really generating the rhythm that could get him over the hump anyway. He gets credit for shooting .407 on his 3-point attempts, but he simply couldn’t carve out enough playing time to really jump up the rankings. His points (12.1), rebounds (6.8) and steals (0.4) all increased slightly, but nothing out of line with his three-minute increase in playing time, while his blocks stayed level at 0.9. It was a good-not-great season from the center, though he was a first-round player in the Orlando bubble with huge numbers over eight games with the team severely shorthanded.

This Year: Bryant’s improved 3-point shooting would be big if it sticks, but he’s looking at the starting center spot either way. With better health on his side Bryant should easily tick up a round or two in the rankings, though it would take some big improvements in terms of Bryant’s on-court defense for him to become a true workhorse. A quick addition of Robin Lopez doesn’t bode well on that front, with the Wizards obviously recognizing an area of need that Bryant couldn’t cover.

Injury History: Bryant missed 20 consecutive games after developing a stress reaction in his right foot. He would later miss four games with right foot soreness as a pair of single games due to right foot soreness, though the team classified those as “injury management.” Bryant tested positive for COVID-19 but played all eight of Washington’s seeding games. In 2018-19, Bryant was able to play through minor knee and ankle problems.

Outlook: Bryant looked like a new man in the bubble, which he credited to good health. We’ll give him the benefit of the doubt there and a healthy Bryant should be able to move into middle-round territory, though we’re still skeptical of his ceiling given the defensive limitations. Clearly the Wizards are too. Bryant is a steady top-100 guy and hopefully the ADP is more reasonable after everyone put the cart before the horse last season.

Rui Hachimura, PF

ADP: 138.5 / 132.1 ESPN / Yahoo

Per-Game Value: 154 / 136 (8/9-cat)

Total Value: 209 / 201 (8/9-cat)

Games Played: 41

2019-20 Review: Hachimura had an impressive run in the preseason and earned a starting job right from the jump, but he didn’t turn ample playing time into big fantasy value because of stat set problems that most rookies deal with. He only averaged 0.8 steals, 0.2 blocks and 0.5 threes (on .274 3P%) despite 29.7 mpg, though he did get his empty calories efficiently enough in racking up 13.4 points and 6.0 rebounds on .478 from the field. A groin injury also took the wind from his sails, but all in all Hachimura fared well in his first NBA campaign.

This Year: Hachimura’s rookie season established a safe if uninspiring floor given the playing time he’s likely to receive as a core player. His scoring may take a hit with Russell Westbrook pounding the air out of the ball but if any significant growth is going to happen in fantasy, it’ll be because of improved defensive stats.

Injury History: Hachimura missed 23 straight games after taking a shot to the groin, as his initial contusion eventually required surgery. Ouch. Other than that, he was all good.

Outlook: Hachimura’s coming off a solid first impression and should be able to get up into the top-125 with the benefit of a full season. There’s upside to that if he can round out his game, but a late-round floor entering year two is a decent place to be.

Troy Brown Jr., SF

ADP: 140.1 / 151.7 ESPN / Yahoo

Per-Game Value: 159 / 146 (8/9-cat)

Total Value: 126 / 119 (8/9-cat)

Games Played: 61

2019-20 Review: Brown was able to impress in the last few weeks of his rookie season, returning top-175 value in large workloads with the Wizards limping to the finish line. Unfortunately, he was unable to pick up right where he left off in year two as a calf strain slowed him out of the gate, and may have even cost him a starting spot. Brown picked up the pace and ended up posting top-100 value for multiple weeks throughout the winter months, but again didn’t really get going until the Wizards were missing some bodies. That’s a mild concern but Brown does continue to improve independent of his playing time. He ended the non-bubble slate averaging 9.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.8 3-pointers in 24.9 mpg while shooting .453 from the field — all steps forward from his rookie numbers.

This Year: Brown will be looking to build off this finish, and hopefully he’ll be able to compete for a starting job with a healthy training camp/preseason run. There’s multi-cat appeal here and Brown sort of fits the Diet Otto Porter mold of an all-around contributor to help support Washington’s guards — he’s less efficient and doesn’t block shots (more of a secondary playmaker than a 3-and-D guy) but just checks multiple boxes every night. It’s a stat set that doesn’t require big usage to deliver value, but the Wizards’ selection of Deni Avdija is going to make this a tight shave. Brown looked like a safe bet for playing time in the mid-twenties but he’s going to have to earn anything beyond last season’s playing time.

Injury History: In 2018-19, Brown missed about three weeks with a left ankle sprain. Last season he suffered a left calf strain in late September that felled him for the first three games of the regular season, as well as a minor right thumb sprain in the bubble, though that didn’t cost him any action.

Outlook: Assuming Scott Brooks plays to type and makes Avdija earn his keep, Brown makes for a nice fantasy glue guy. He’ll threaten top-125 returns if he can hold off the competition.

Deni Avdija, SF

2019-20 Review: Avdija averaged just 13.8 mpg in 26 EuroLeague contests last season and sports a very modest statline, but he has an advanced feel for the game and brings great versatility on both ends of the floor. At 6’9”, Avdija has decent quickness and instincts as both a playmaker and team defender, using his high basketball IQ to overcome average athletic abilities. He’s a great player in the open floor and knows how to manipulate pick-and-roll situations, though he still has some work to refine his jumper.

This Year: Avdija fell to the Wizards at No. 9 in the draft, where he’ll slot in as a potential long-term solution on the wing. There isn’t superstar potential but Avdija does a lot of things to help a team win, and that kind of support game should play to the strengths of Washington’s star guards if Scott Brooks thinks Avdija is ready for the big time.

Injury History: Avdija suffered a back injury back when he was in 10th grade but that’s obviously in the rearview mirror.

Outlook: Avdija has the looks of a productive real-life player for the Wizards but he’s going to have a hard time standing out in fantasy until he comes up with a more consistent jumper. Despite the hype as a prospect, Avdija’s one of the weaker dynasty options among this year’s lottery picks and is only a flier in redraft leagues with 20 or more teams.

Ish Smith, PG

ADP: 140.3 / 147.9 ESPN / Yahoo

Per-Game Value: 169 / 166 (8/9-cat)

Total Value: 139 / 139 (8/9-cat)

Games Played: 60

2019-20 Review: Smith seemed destined to be stuck in a timeshare this season. First he outlasted the Isaiah Thomas experiment, only to be saddled with Shabazz Napier at the trade deadline. In the end Smith averaged 10.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.4 blocks and 0.9 threes on .451 shooting for a borderline late-round season, though he did climb into the top-120 for short stretches. It might’ve been better if he wrestled the starting job away full-time (he started 23 of 68 games) but ultimately Smith is a perfectly capable second PG who tends to get exposed in larger workloads. He only ever got huge minutes for the tank-tastic Sixers back in the day.

This Year: Smith will be around to back up Russell Westbrook, who, unlike John Wall, is not returning from a torn left Achilles. Expect Smith to fill the same role as last season with fewer minutes, as the addition of a less-injured guard wipes out most of his appeal.

Injury History: Smith missed the final four games of the shortened season due to a left hamstring strain, though he was in line for a handful of additional absences if not for the pandemic. It was a nice return to health after Smith missed around two months with a right adductor strain in 2018-19. He’s been pretty much healthy other than that.

Outlook: Smith is unlikely to get past the top-200 threshold unless Westbrook gets hurt.

Moritz Wagner, PF

ADP: — / — ESPN / Yahoo

Per-Game Value: 173 / 171 (8/9-cat)

Total Value: 239 / 239 (8/9-cat)

Games Played: 37

2019-20 Review: Wagner put together a quiet breakout last season, actually holding top-120 value early in the year. He was a hot pickup when Thomas Bryant hit the sidelines with his foot troubles, only Wagner suffered from a case of terrible timing and a sprained left ankle that knocked him out of nearly 30 games. After missing that chance to go crazy, he was unable to return to his early-season form but still had a decent campaign overall with averages of 9.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.5 blocks and 0.6 3-pointers in 19.1 mpg while going .575 from the field.

This Year: Wagner will once again be backup to Bryant, which means he’s looking at minutes in the high teens with the possibility that it becomes an even timeshare. As a young player on a team that’s looking to the future, Wagner should have no problems getting chances to produce. The signing of Robin Lopez complicates things somewhat and takes away some of those minutes at the five, but Wagner’s shooting could get him some looks as a power forward in certain lineups.

Injury History: Wagner missed two games with a left ankle sprain at the end of November and then 25 straight from mid-December to early February after re-spraining the same ankle. He battled a left knee bone bruise in Summer League as a rookie and had some foot/ankle issues in college as well.

Outlook: Wagner might have a tough time repeating last season’s output with the entire frontcourt coming back at full strength. There’s top-200 upside, as we saw, but it’s going to be hard for Wagner to hit it with Washington’s extra depth.

Robin Lopez, C

ADP: — / — ESPN / Yahoo

Per-Game Value: 344 / 362 (8/9-cat)

Total Value: 265 / 276 (8/9-cat)

Games Played: 60

2019-20 Review: The Sideshow Bob to brother Brook’s Cecil Terwilliger, RoLo sacrificed in the hopes of getting a championship ring. His 14.4 mpg (Lopez’s lowest since 2012) belies his effectiveness, but the Bucks simply didn’t need Lopez to hold a large role given the way they play. He shot a career-high .366 from deep but also shot a career-low .535 from the free throw line. Lopez’s 0.7 blocks per game kept him on the radar as a desperation blocks specialist but he’s quickly fallen out of the standard-league realm over the last couple of years.

This Year: Lopez, perhaps put off by his limited deployment, declined his player option and ended up signing with the Wizards in free agency. Their style of play is a bit more amenable to Lopez’s traditional profile and he should see more work as the guy that spares Thomas Bryant and Moe Wagner from getting bullied by the league’s giants. Rim protection was a key area for the Wiz to address and Lopez helps them there, too.

Injury History: Lopez was pretty healthy last year, only missing time due to illness. It was the fifth straight season where he missed zero games due to injury.

Outlook: Lopez might have a real role again, putting him in the mix for deep-league consideration as a producer of the traditional big man stats. He should be back into the top-250 if he plays regularly.

Ian Mahinmi, C

ADP: — / — ESPN / Yahoo

Per-Game Value: 206 / 207 (8/9-cat)

Total Value: 253 / 252 (8/9-cat)

Games Played: 38

2019-20 Review: Mahinmi was able to rehab his value somewhat, thanks in part to well-timed injuries to other frontcourt players. He made 35 starts in 38 games and was good for 0.8 steals and 1.2 blocks in just 21.3 mpg, which accounted for the bulk of his fantasy value. Mahinmi wasn’t really a factor in Washington’s rotation when Scott Brooks had his main options available but he performed admirably when called upon.

This Year: Mahinmi enters free agency after the expiration of his insane four-year, $64 million contract, where he’ll be looking to land a job as someone’s backup center.

Injury History: Mahinmi missed the first 19 games of the year due to a strained right Achilles, plus a few at the end of the year due to right foot soreness. In 2018-19, he spent time on the shelf with a thumb sprain, concussion and back problems, though he also racked up a ton of DNP-CDs while playing just 34 games. Mahinmi missed one game with a concussion and two with a sore right knee in 2017-18. He was limited to 31 games in 2016-17 as a result of a torn left meniscus, PRP procedures on both knees, knee soreness and a calf strain. He also tore his left plantar fascia in 2014 and has dealt with ankle and back injuries in addition to those knee issues.

Outlook: Mahinmi has always been a sneaky supplier of per-minute defensive numbers but he can be ignored in fantasy until he finds a new team.

Gary Payton II, PG

ADP: — / — ESPN / Yahoo

Per-Game Value: 272 / 258 (8/9-cat)

Total Value: 313 / 307 (8/9-cat)

Games Played: 29

2019-20 Review: Like many of his teammates, Payton hit the fantasy radar for short bursts when the Wizards were missing players. He played just 29 games but made 17 starts, and in 14.9 mpg he was able to average 3.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.2 blocks and 0.4 3-pointers. He had about a week of stream-worthy play.

This Year: Payton hits the open market, which should be a familiar feeling for a player who’s been on three teams in four seasons.

Injury History: Payton has stayed off the injury report in his career but did miss the Orlando restart after testing positive for COVID-19.

Outlook: Payton isn’t a draft consideration until he signs somewhere new.

Isaac Bonga, PG

ADP: — / — ESPN / Yahoo

Per-Game Value: 283 / 273 (8/9-cat)

Total Value: 236 / 224 (8/9-cat)

Games Played: 58

2019-20 Review: Bonga came to the Wizards in a salary-dump trade so the Lakers could make way for Anthony Davis, and Washington turned the sophomore into a helpful wing player. After getting 5.5 mpg as a rookie, Bonga rocketed up to 18.9 mpg and made 49 starts in 66 games. Unfortunately there wasn’t a lot there for fantasy GMs given that Bonga averaged 5.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.3 blocks and 0.4 threes on .504 shooting.

This Year: Bonga needs to keep expanding his offensive game but at this point he already has the length and instincts to hang as a solid wing defender. Deep-league GMs might’ve found some utility in his defensive stats, but he’ll need to keep going in terms of both minutes and production in order to make serious waves. Deni Avdija’s going to cut the line on the wing so Bonga could lose a slice of his minutes unless he can outplay the competition.

Injury History: Bonga missed the final game of the shortened season due to a groin contusion but has no other injuries worth mentioning in his past.

Outlook: Bonga is going to be competing for a starting job but there’s very little to see here for fantasy. He’s a back-end plodder for extremely deep leagues.

Jerome Robinson, SG

ADP: — / — ESPN / Yahoo

Per-Game Value: 395 / 393 (8/9-cat)

Total Value: 311 / 316 (8/9-cat)

Games Played: 55

2019-20 Review: Robinson was supposed to be a scoring presence off the bench for the Clippers, but he shot just .338 from the field in 42 games with LA in his second season after shooting .400 as a rookie. A team with title aspirations couldn’t wait for him to get it together and the lottery pick was traded to Washington, where he got legitimate opportunities to play through his mistakes. He was a more prominent player for the Wizards, averaging 6.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.5 blocks and 0.9 threes in 20.1 mpg, though he shot just .363 from the field. Still, Robinson had his moments and actually landed inside the top-150 over his last few games. He was solid in the bubble, taking advantage of Bradley Beal’s absence and posting 14.8 points and 2.3 triples per game on .426 from the field.

This Year: Robinson is going to be scrapping for minutes as Beal’s backup and he offers the best scoring upside out of anyone in that battle. His showing in Orlando should give him some confidence going forward but whether he can do his damage efficiently will remain the million dollar question.

Injury History: Robinson dealt with right foot issues in his rookie season but fared better in year two, missing just one game with a sore left Achilles.

Outlook: Robinson looks like he’ll have a consistent rotation spot for the first time in his young career. It’s unlikely to amount to much but he has a shot at being a low-end scoring specialist in 18-20-teamers.

Raul Neto, PG

ADP: — / — ESPN / Yahoo

Per-Game Value: 360 / 373 (8/9-cat)

Total Value: 303 / 310 (8/9-cat)

Games Played: 49

2019-20 Review: Neto managed to outlast Trey Burke on the roster but was eventually passed over by Shake Milton, settling in as Philly’s third PG option by the end of the year. He averaged 11.5 mpg on the year with relevant averages of 1.6 assists, 0.4 steals and 0.6 threes.

This Year: Neto signed a one-year deal with the Wizards and will likely be the team’s third point guard.

Injury History: At least Neto was healthy last year after injuries really held him back in the second and third seasons of his career. In 2018-19, left ankle soreness cost him the last four games of the year while he missed six with left hamstring tightness, 12 with a right groin strain, and 18 with right hamstring soreness. In 2017-18 Neto missed 13 games with a fractured left wrist as well as three games with an ankle injury and 15 games with a knee sprain and concussion.

Outlook: Neto can be ignored in fantasy until injuries take some of the depth chart obstacles from his path.

Garrison Mathews, SG

ADP: — / — ESPN / Yahoo

Per-Game Value: 322 / 311 (8/9-cat)

Total Value: 388 / 374 (8/9-cat)

Games Played: 18

2019-20 Review: Mathews only got one consistent run of action in his rookie season, playing 13 of his 18 games between December 14 and January 6. A left ankle sprain would pretty much end his season at that point, with Mathews playing just three games the rest of the way. He had some decent games and shot .413 from deep but there’s not a ton to conclude from Mathews’ rookie year.

This Year: Mathews will be in the mix for minutes on the wing, though he’ll be facing an uphill battle with the progress made by Isaac Bonga and Jerome Robinson, not to mention Washington’s actual starters.

Injury History: Mathews spent 13 games on the shelf with a severe left ankle sprain.

Outlook: Mathews is only a flier in 30-team leagues. It would’ve been nice to see him close out the season but we did see enough promise in his short stint in the rotation to consider him worthy of that desperation dice roll.

Anthony Gill, PF

ADP: ESPN — / — Yahoo

Per-Game Value: — / — (8/9-cat)

Total Value: — / — (8/9-cat)

Games Played:

2019-20 Review: Gill averaged 8.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.3 steals, 0.4 blocks and 0.9 threes in 18.9 mpg while shooting .567 from the field and .440 from deep for Khimki BC in the EuroLeague. That was a big bounce-back in his 3-point effectiveness, as Gill shot just .222 the year prior. That said, he also shot .478 from deep in year one, so the one bad year definitely looks like the outlier.

This Year: Gill signed with the Wizards after spending three seasons with BC Khimki (Russia) after leaving UVA. He’s likely to get in the mix for minutes as a depth forward, with his efficient scoring standing out as a major positive.

Injury History: Gill underwent back/hip surgery and was sidelined for five months in early 2019, and also missed time with a nose fracture and a leg injury in early 2020.

Outlook: Gill’s a flier in the deepest of leagues and just knowing who he is and what he can do probably gives you an edge over your leaguemates.

Cassius Winston, PG

2019-20 Review: Winston became a wise leader for the Spartans over his four years, easily toggling between carrying the team with hot shooting performances and focusing his efforts on creating for others. He averaged 18.6 points, 5.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game as a senior, leaning on excellent vision and high basketball IQ to compensate for average athleticism and a lack of speed.

This Year: Winston was taken 53rd in the draft by the Wizards, who suddenly have some holes at PG in their long-term depth chart. In the short term it’s quite full, so Winston signed a two-way contract for this upcoming season, but it’s possible he gets a longer look than most two-way players.

Injury History: Winston suffered a left knee bone bruise in his senior season but has avoided anything truly significant.

Outlook: Winston is only worth a look as a flier in deep dynasty formats.

Anzejs Pasecniks, C

ADP: — / — ESPN / Yahoo

Per-Game Value: 351 / 367 (8/9-cat)

Total Value: 379 / 382 (8/9-cat)

Games Played: 23

2019-20 Review: Pasecniks made his NBA debut last season, averaging 6.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 0.3 steals and 0.5 blocks in 17.6 mpg. He stepped in when the Wizards were missing their top three centers but fell out of the rotation whenever the team approached full health.

This Year: Pasecniks may step up to fill the third center role if Ian Mahinmi departs in free agency but isn’t expected to shoulder much of the load barring injuries.

Injury History: Pasecniks missed some time with a left ankle sprain, neck stiffness and left hip tightness.

Outlook: Pasceniks won’t hit the fantasy radar this season.

Johnathan Williams, PF

ADP: — / — ESPN / Yahoo

Per-Game Value: 357 / 335 (8/9-cat)

Total Value: 418 / 413 (8/9-cat)

Games Played: 11

2019-20 Review: Williams made a surprising six starts for the Wizards despite being on a two-way contract, though he didn’t do much for fantasy players aside from 3.9 rebounds and a clean .640 field goal percentage in 12.3 mpg.

This Year: Williams will function as a depth forward for whatever team he ends up with and is a longshot to crack a rotation.

Injury History: Zip.

Outlook: Williams can be left undrafted in all formats.

*Originally published November 8, 2020