Justin Champagnie has not seen the floor much this season. Last season, he worked his way out of the G-League with his hustle. The 6’6” forward earned rotational minutes with the Wizards and was rewarded with a standard NBA contract as the season went along.
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Now in the 2025-26 season, Champagnie hasn’t gotten the chance to play as many minutes, but he is still one of the best rebounders on the team. In just 4.2 minutes per game, he is averaging 1.4 offensive rebounds, which is good for fourth on the team.
Champagnie plays the small forward position, where there are six players of the same position on the team, making it harder to get minutes. But with his ability to make an impact on the game without having to score, he needs to be in the rotation.
He also fits the mold and timeline for this squad, as a 6’6” forward who can play multiple positions. He can also guard several positions, and he’s just 24 years old.
His ability to rebound the ball is essential for a team. The Wizards are currently 15th in offensive rebounds, third in defensive rebounds, and eighth in total rebounds per game. Giving Champagnie more minutes will only add to those team averages.
For the team to get Champagnie more minutes, they will need to free up some spots on the roster. Bilal Coulibaly, Khris Middleton, Corey Kispert, and Cam Whitmore all play ahead of him at the 3 spot.
Ideally, this can mean moving Middleton and/or Kispert before the trade deadline. Also, he can slot in at the power forward position, which can help with floor spacing/small ball lineups. Champagnie has no problem guarding the opposing team’s big men, either.
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Champagnie’s play is vital for this team’s success. His hard work, gritty mentality, and ability to make plays without scoring are what build championship teams. So hopefully the team can find a way to get him into the rotation.
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