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3 things to watch for in the Wizards' season opener

3 things to watch for in the Wizards' season opener

The Washington Wizards will open their preseason against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.

With a new head coach and a revamped roster, Wizards fans in Washington can preview the upcoming season.

Jordan Poole landed in Washington last season with the hopes of the former Golden State Warriors' explosive scorer taking on a starting role with a fresh start. The Michigan guard flashed his goals, but in his role as the team's primary ball-handler, Poole was unable to impress as a facilitator.

However, first-year head coach Brian Keefe agreed to allow Poole to retain the starting point guard duties, and with more talent around him, it will be interesting to see if the guard can function as more than just a scorer, sometimes as a scorer -Manufacturer.

Alex Sarr was selected No. 2 overall in this year's NBA draft, even though many felt he should have been the top pick overall. Looking ahead to Summer League, Sarr's performance could have fooled outsiders into thinking he was an undrafted free agent.

After a 0-for-15 shooting night in his debut, Sarr's performance didn't improve much over the rest of the summer. A performance that can destroy a player's confidence, especially a player with such high expectations as him.

Nonetheless, the 7-footer has the talent to turn history around with a solid rookie debut before embarking on his Rookie of the Year campaign. If Sarr shows up on Sunday and plays with confidence, it would be a great sign for the Wizards.

Bub Carrington was selected last in this year's NBA draft. The Pitt product received rave reviews after a strong summer and at the start of team camp.

The 19-year-old has the talent to be a regular player, even if he is still a fairly young player. However, it is unknown how much his skillset will be utilized in his first year, especially given a crowded backcourt full of players who have earned minutes.

Nonetheless, in a rebuilding year, if Carrington shows promise, it won't be a surprise if he finds himself as a central part of the rotation and even in the starting lineup at some point. On Sunday, the combo guard will get his first real chance to show that he is made for the moment.

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