Meet the Wizards

[0] Gilbert Arenas

Outlook: The Wizards’ $111 million franchise player appears to be healthy for the first time since April 2007. Flip Saunders has charged him with the task of being the floor general. However, he wants Arenas to be just as aggressive in attacking the basket on the offensive end as in the past. But because he will have the ball in his hands more, the guard’s assists likely will go up.

2008-09 STATISTICS

13.0 Points a game

10.0 Assists a game

4.5 Rebounds a game

[1] Nick Young

Outlook: The third-year guard is seeking consistency. Saunders has been working with Young to develop his game, but the guard must become stronger mentally before he becomes a reliable rotation player.

2008-09 STATISTICS

10.9 Points a game

1.2 Assists a game

1.8 Rebounds a game

[2] DeShawn Stevenson

Outlook: Once the Wizards’ top perimeter defender, Stevenson is coming off back surgery that sidelined him for 50 games last season. He appears to have recovered and is poised to reclaim his spot in the starting lineup or contribute as one of the first options off the bench.

2008-09 STATISTICS

6.6 Points a game

3.1 Assists a game

2.4 Rebounds a game

[3] Caron Butler

Outlook: Butler is coming off a season in which he averaged a career-high 20.8 points and was Washington’s second-leading scorer. He again will be a key contributor on the offensive end and will be relied on heavily, especially until Antawn Jamison returns. Saunders has challenged Butler to morph into the team’s top lockdown defender.

2008-09 STATISTICS

20.8 Points a game

4.3 Assists a game

6.2 Rebounds a game

[4] Antawn Jamison

Outlook: The Wizards’ leading scorer and rebounder each of the past two seasons will be sidelined for the first three to five weeks of the season after partially dislocating his right shoulder. Before the injury, the 33-year-old appeared to have plenty left, notching a team-leading 18.8 points and 8.5 rebounds in the preseason.

2008-09 STATISTICS

22.2 Points a game

1.9 Assists a game

8.9 Rebounds a game

[5] Dominic McGuire

Outlook: The third-year forward/guard started 57 games during last year’s injury-plagued campaign, but thanks to the team’s improved depth, he is battling for playing time off the bench. Saunders plans on using McGuire in certain situations, but the free agent-to-be is aiming to seize whatever opportunity is given him this season.

2008-09 STATISTICS

4.5 Points a game

2.5 Assists a game

5.4 Rebounds a game

[6] Mike Miller

Outlook: Acquired via trade this summer, Miller gives Washington the pure perimeter threat it has long lacked. He has the versatility to play shooting guard or small forward and is an underrated playmaker and rebounder. He’ll do well either in support of Arenas, Butler and Jamison in the starting lineup or as the top scoring option off the bench.

2008-09 STATISTICS

9.9 Points a game

4.5 Assists a game

6.6 Rebounds a game

[7] Andray Blatche

Outlook: After four years of disappointment and a poor relationship with former coach Eddie Jordan, Blatche enters this season determined to improve, and so far he appears to be buying into Saunders’ philosophy. After a strong preseason, Blatche will be the first big man off the bench, primarily playing power forward.

2008-09 STATISTICS

10.0 Points a game

1.7 Assists a game

5.4 Rebounds a game

[8] Javaris Crittenton

Outlook: A member of a crowded backcourt, Crittenton was hoping to emerge from the preseason with a key role off the bench but instead is sidelined with a bone bruise and strained tendons in his left foot. Once he returns, he will be behind Randy Foye and Mike James when it comes to spelling Arenas.

2008-09 STATISTICS

5.0 Points a game

2.4 Assists a game

2.6 Rebounds a game

[9] Paul Davis

Outlook: The 6-foot-11 center earned a spot after receiving a training camp invite and proving he could be counted on to do the little things that make a team better. Davis, who spent portions of the past three seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, will play sparingly but provides depth in a frontcourt that will be short-handed while Jamison is out.

2008-09 STATISTICS

4.0 Points a game

0.4 Assists a game

2.5 Rebounds a game

[13] Mike James

Outlook: The 34-year-old joined the Wizards via trade in December 2008 and started 50 games with Arenas out. This season, however, he likely will be used sparingly as long as Arenas and Randy Foye are healthy, but he offers another veteran voice and can score in spurts.

2008-09 STATISTICS

8.7 Points a game

3.3 Assists a game

2.2 Rebounds a game

[15] Randy Foye

Outlook: The third-year guard will be used primarily as Arenas’ backup, although he also is comfortable at shooting guard, where he mainly played last season. He still is adjusting to his role in Saunders’ system but has been effective, averaging 12.5 points and 3.1 assists in 22.5 minutes of action in eight preseason games.

2008-09 STATISTICS

16.3 Points a game

3.7 Assists a game

2.9 Rebounds a game

[21] Fabricio Oberto

Outlook: Oberto brings veteran and championship experience from his days in San Antonio. He’ll be used early on to help fill the void left by Jamison’s injury, but once Jamison returns, Oberto will be used mainly as a backup center. He’s not an offensive threat but is a solid rebounder and halfcourt defender. He has fully recovered from the heart condition that sidelined him for 28 games last season.

2008-09 STATISTICS

2.6 Points a game

1.1 Assists a game

2.6 Rebounds a game

[33] Brendan Haywood

Outlook: The nine-year pro recovered from the torn ligaments in his right wrist that required surgery and forced him to miss 75 games last season. The center is the captain of the defense and is looking to pick up where he left off in 2007-08, when he posted a career year. He’s the longest-tenured Wizards player and will be a free agent this summer.

2008-09 STATISTICS

9.7 Points a game

2.5 Blocks a game

7.3 Rebounds a game

[34] JaVale McGee

Outlook: The second-year center is as long and athletic as they come and had a strong preseason, taking advantage of limited playing time to show he can be counted on for a spark off the bench. Saunders will go to Oberto first but envisions using McGee when the team needs energy and shot-blocking.

2008-09 STATISTICS

6.5 Points a game

1.0 Blocks a game

3.9 Rebounds a game