Wizards’ Kishawn George praised Kevin Durant on All-Star weekend

INGLEWOOD — Washington The Wizards are once again heavily represented at NBA All-Star Weekendbut no All-Stars. The goal of the organization is to eventually develop a multi-year An All-Star like Kevin Durantwho made the cut for the 16th time this season.

Wizards wing Kishawn George admitted on Friday that he is 37 years old the hardest player to guard in basketball, according to the Monumental Sports Network. That speaks to Durant’s longevity, as his rookie season was 2007-08 and George was born on December 12, 2003.

George, a sophomore, earned his first Rising Star honor of the season and will play for Team Vince (Team Vince Carter) Friday night in the Rising Stars Challenge. Fellow Wizards Tre Johnson and Bub Carrington will play for Team T-Mac (Tracy McGrady). Carrington was selected as an injury replacement for Washington big man Alex Sarr (hamstring), according to NBA.com.

All of these “Wiz Kids” show promise in different ways. George is the most balanced of the bunch, averaging 15.1 points on 44.1 percent shooting (37.7 percent from 3-point range) with 5.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and two steals (steals and blocks) in 30.1 minutes. Meanwhile, Carrington and Johnson are shooting 39.3 and 38.6 percent from deep, respectively, and Sarr is tied for second in the NBA with two blocks per game. The latter is also averaging 17.2 points on 49.6 percent shooting (33.6 percent from 3-point range) despite not yet playing at right guard.

However, the Wizards won’t reach the promised land until they develop a consistent All-NBA player like Durant. The four-time scoring champion has earned All-NBA honors 11 times, most recently in 2024. He is also averaging 25.8 points on 50.6 percent shooting (40.3 percent from 3-point range) in 36.7 minutes this season, just 1.4 points below his career average despite being in the league for nearly 20 years. On top of that, he shoots 0.4 percent more from the field and 1.3 percent more from downtown.

Durant is hard to replicate, being seven feet tall in basketball shoes, but he dribbles and shoots like a guard. Washington doesn’t need to develop someone of that archetype, but they do need an elite player who will develop over many years.

While George or one of the other current young cores could become “The Guy,” there’s no guarantee. In addition, the star acquisitions Tree Young and Anthony Davis will likely help the team be competitive next season, but may not be in Washington long-term.

That’s why this summer’s draft is one of the most important in franchise history. Kansas guard Derrin Peterson, BIU’s AJ Dibanca and Duke’s Cameron Boozer all have superstar-level ceilings, so a top-three pick in May’s NBA draft lottery is a dream scenario.

Regardless, Durant’s continued excellence is a reminder of what’s possible, and the Wizards’ rebuild will never be complete until they’ve had an All-NBA player in his prime for several years.

The Wizards can look to the Rockets for inspiration

The Houston Rockets, who are fourth in the Western Conference at 33-20, exemplify what Washington could eventually become. They are led by Durant, but also have an elite big man in Alperen Sengun (20.7 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 6.3 APG) and one of the NBA’s best young guards in Amen Thompson (17.6 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 5.4 APG). In addition, the other rookie players under contract, Jabari Smith Jr. (15.2 PPG) and Reed Sheppard (12.7 PPG) are coming into their own.

The difference is that the head snake for the Wizards will likely be younger than Durant is now, at least for the foreseeable future. But between Young, Davis, their young core and their 2026 lottery pick, they’ll have enough talent to give a team like the Rockets a good look.

For now, the mission is to have fun at the All-Star festivities in Inglewood, California, and continue to develop until the end of the regular season. Washington’s season finale will be on the road against the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 12, and the draft lottery is on May 10.