Wizards’ Tre Johnson acknowledges his role after career-tying game against Spurs

The Washington Wizards owns the worst record in the NBA at 5-22, but the development of young players like Tre Johnson and Bub Carrington is the reason their rebuild remains exciting. Johnson opened up to ClutchPoints about what it’s like improved offensively this season after tying his career high with 19 points (6-10 FG, 3-6 3-point) in 25 minutes off the bench during Sunday’s 124-113 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

“I feel like I’m constantly improving, trying to watch film, especially with our coaches,” the rookie shooting guard said. “I try to do what is asked of me, BK (head coach Brian Keefe) and all the coaches. I do everything I can to help my teammates.”

Johnson then explained what he specifically improved.

“I think I’ve gotten better at doing my job,” the No. 6 overall pick said. “That was the biggest thing, understanding my role and what the team needs, and just being the best I can be at it.”

Johnson was primarily used as a spark plug off the bench so far, though he has started four of his 20 games. The 19-year-old has already established himself as one of the team’s top shooters, as he nearly leads Wizards with at least five three-point attempts per game in three-point percentage (39.6). His 5.1 average attempts trail only CJ McCollum (7.3) and Keshawn George (5.6), and he’s just 0.3 percent behind McCollum and 0.8 percent behind George.

However, Johnson contributes in other ways as well. The Texan native was second on Washington with seven rebounds and led the team with two blocks against San Antonio, and has recorded a steal in three of his last five games.

Johnson returned to action on Dec. 12 after not playing since Nov. 21 with a hip flexor injury, and he’s showing why the Wizards used their latest lottery pick on him. The 2025 SEC Freshman of the Year has shown off his shooting talent all season, but now he finds himself in their offense.

“I saw him embrace our offense,” Carrington said after the Spurs game. “We all come from teams where the offense was (centered) on us, but we have a lot of guys that can run our system now. I’ve seen him really improve what he can do in that system, and he’s done it on purpose.”

Washington uses a motion offense that has an “everyone eats” mindset. Alex Sarr leads the team with 15.3 shots per game, the fewest of any team leader in the NBA except for Chicago Bulls guard Kobe White (15.1), New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III (14.9) and Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine (14.7). The rankings look that way in part because those organizations don’t have superstars, and it’s no coincidence that they all have losing records. But the Wizards have made an effort to get nearly their entire roster involved, as 15 of their 18 players have scored in double figures this season.

Keefe told ClutchPoints on Sunday night what helped Johnson return products in the composition.

“Tre is a good offensive player. He’s just getting used to playing with his teammates,” he explained. “This is his first few games back from the injury. He’s just getting his groove back. We’re finding him in spots where he can shoot, some drives where he can recognize it himself, where he can get loose and be aggressive. That’s what this guy does. He can score.”

If Washington continues to run sets for Johnson and give him 20-plus minutes of playing time, that will help keep him on track as long as he’s healthy.

Bub Carrington is making Wizards history as he climbs out of a slump

Carrington had another productive game on Sunday, recording 21 points (7-11 FG, 4-6 3-point) with five rebounds, four assists, one block and just one turnover in 40 minutes. The 20-year-old shot 42.9 percent in December after shooting 32.4 percent in October and 36.6 percent in November. He also has seven games in double figures in December after recording just four in October and November combined.

Washington hired Carrington as their primary point guard to start the season after using him as a combo guard in his All-Rookie campaign last year, but the results weren’t pretty. In addition to the aforementioned shooting struggles of the former Pittsburgh Panther, he had an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.8 to one and a -12.8 plus/minus through his first 21 games. Over the past six, he has a 3.2-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio and a -2.3 plus/minus.

Despite Carrington’s initial struggles, he exuded confidence when you talk to ClutchPoints after practice on Dec. 9.

I asked Bub Carrington how he adjusts to the responsibilities of a PG (thread):

“I feel like I’m adjusting well. And I want to adjust to it the best I can, so I’m going to be a hard worker in adjusting to it. I feel like I have the natural ability to do that anyway…” pic.twitter.com/pI16FPAhzN

— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) December 9, 2025

“I feel like I’m adjusting well,” he said of adjusting to the quarterback responsibilities. “And I want to adapt to it as best as I can, so I’m going to be a hard worker in adapting to it. I feel like I have a natural ability to do it anyway, so it’s not an adjustment for me as much as it’s just doing different things now. I want it, so I think I’m doing well.”

Nine days later, Carrington became the only player in franchise history Age 20 or younger to collect at least 1,000 career points, 400 rebounds and 400 assists, per Wizards PR. The milestone is a reminder that young players have ups and downs, but are worth sticking with as long as they show promise.

Carrington and Johnson claim to be Washington’s duo of the future, which could happen if they stay consistent. Their next opportunity to impress will be their road trip with the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night.