Wizards a great man Alex Sar will be a partial participant when training camp opens next week, general manager Will Dawkins The Athletic’s Josh Robbins told reporters Thursday (Link to Twitter). However, Sarr is still expected to be ready for the start of the regular season on Oct. 21, according to Dawkins.
The absolute No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft, Sar underwent surgery in June repair the fracture of the right leg. The injury occurred during an offseason training session and reports at the time indicated he was expected to be fully recovered by the season opener.
Sarr was limited to 48 games last season by toe, adductor, hamstring, calf and ankle injuries, but he was productive when he suited up, averaging 16.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.0 blocks in 27.2 minutes per game.
Sarr is expected to be a key part of a revamped Wizards frontcourt that will feature rookies Anthony Davis and Deandre Ayton – as the team looks to return to the postseason after winning 15 to 18 games in each of the past three seasons.
When asked Thursday about the area in which the Wizards have improved the most since last season, Dawkins singled out frontcourt depth (Link to video on Twitter), calling Davis a “starter-level center” and Ayton “perhaps the best backup” in the NBA.
Here are some more highlights from Dawkins’ media session:
- Dawkins declined to elaborate on the decision made by the Wizards and Davis postpone the contract extension negotiationsbut he said Davis is in “great spirits” and expressed optimism about a rebound season for the 10-time All-Star. “I would say he’s a very motivated player now.” Dawkins said. “And I expect AD to remind the basketball world who he really is.” Health issues limited Davis to just 20 games last season, all with Dallas.
- What will the Wizards’ strongest points be in 2026/27? Dawkins singled out player development, depth, youth and positional size, tweets Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network.
- Dawkins says he has “full confidence” in the head coach Brian Keefethe ability to continue to develop young Wizards players and “take us to the next stage of Wizards basketball” (Link to video on Twitter). The CEO also expressed excitement about the hiring Steve Clifford as an advisor and Patrick Ewing and Cody Toppert as assistant coaches, describing the coaching staff as “better” and “deeper” by 2026/27.
