Why Kyshawn George should still play a big role for the Wizards this season

Don’t put Kyshawn George in a box.

Yes, George is a multifaceted player who fits the prototype of a modern wing: He’s long and can dribble, pass, shoot and defend.

Yes, his role has often been to augment other players. But George has higher aspirations and is determined not to be limited by the label of “connector.”

“I think there’s a lot of wings and big guys that impact winning, but I don’t think they have the toolbox that I have,” George recently told The Banner. “I think they’re great players in their role, but they’re not as diversified as me.”

George is one of the more intriguing players on arguably the NBA’s most intriguing team. He is coming off a breakout sophomore campaign that saw him average 14.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists. But as the NBA Finals showed, having multiple wings is a prerequisite for deep trips through the playoffs, which are the Wizards’ long-term goal.

After averaging 16.7 wins over the last three seasons, the Wizards are attempting to make the leap from rebuilding to competitive basketball. Increased expectations come with the full incorporation of All-Stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis, who were acquired late last season and dealt with injuries, and the addition of 2026 No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa.

George likely won’t post as high a usage rate — which measures how much of a team’s offense runs through each player — as he did last season (24.1%), but the Wizards still need his do-it-all capabilities to play meaningful basketball deep into the season. George has started the first three preseason games, playing off the ball with the starters and leading the second unit.

“He’s the versatile wing that a lot of teams are looking for. He plays both ends of the floor, can play with the ball, off the ball, and he’s got a strong belief and confidence in who he is,” Wizards general manager Will Dawkins said at the team’s media day before the start of the preseason. “And I expect him to continue to push his limits, continue to grow and get better, and have a little bit more of an impact on the league this year.”

George’s second season ended in early March due to a Grade 2 ulnar collateral ligament tear. But sitting on the sidelines allowed him to absorb the game from a different perspective. He said he learned more about the pace of the game and how to get the best shots in different situations.

He also used the time rehabbing to get stronger. George started eating more calories — devouring protein bars or shakes before workouts and eating meals richer in nutrients — to help add eight pounds of muscle.

Dedication to the gym has defined George’s first two years in the NBA.

After going through many workouts alone, George started reaching out to teammates to accompany him. Tre Johnson and Dillon Jones — before he was waived last season — were the first to join him. From there, more started venturing to the gym, and Dawkins christened the group the “Sleeping Bag Crew,” a playful nod to how late George and his younger teammates stay at the gym.

“He’s probably the leader of that,” Dawkins said. “He’s helped create a culture of work here, and to his credit, he’s gotten bigger, stronger, more consistent in his jump shot throughout each summer.”

The preseason opener against the Knicks showcased George’s unique skill set. In the first quarter, he scored on a post-up of Jalen Brunson, drilled a spot-up corner 3 and thrived as a cutter, connecting with Dybantsa for an alley-oop off a pick-and-roll. He also created an open corner 3 for Young.

“He’s one of those guys that’s super underrated in the league,” Dybantsa said. “A lot of people overlook him, but I mean they can keep doing that. We like the underdogs.”

George’s length shows in his impressive block rate (1.5 per 100 possessions last season). Channeling that defensive aggression will be key for George. The Wizards have lofty defensive goals this season — Davis said they should be one of the top 10 defenses — and George’s ability to defend multiple positions is a key part of that. But for George’s impact to be felt, he has to be on the court. He was sixth in the league in fouls per game (3.5) last year.

“I’m not gonna change much because I think aggressive defense is the way to win games,” George said. “I just gotta be smarter; I had a lot of cheap fouls last year that I didn’t necessarily have to do.”

His role hasn’t been solidified. Though George has started in the preseason, Wizards coach Brian Keefe said final lineup decisions haven’t been made. Regardless of where George slots in, he’s an important part of a team trying to take a step toward winning basketball.

“We’re playing for something real,” George said. “Got a whole bunch of talent, and it’s always fun to come in here and be confident in the guy next to us, be confident in what’s going on.”

The Wizards play their first game of the regular season against the Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 21 at Capital One Arena.