NBANBA EastWizards

Trae Young Can Help Bub Carrington Master the Point Guard Position

Share
Feb 8, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) shoots against Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington (8) during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Share

The Wizards finally have a true point guard with Trae Young, something the team has not had since Russell Westbrook.

Their current starting point guard, Bub Carrington, has had some struggles learning the position. Now, with Young in Washington, Carrington can learn from one of the best passers and offensive facilitators in the league.

Bub Carrington’s Development

“Yeah, I thought he was a great spark in that fourth,” Wizards Head Coach Brian Keefe said about Carrington’s play during the win against the Toronto Raptors on Dec. 26. “He was out there with that group controlling the offense. He made a couple of threes, but he also made some really good kick-ahead [passes]…Just making real simple plays, being really efficient out there right now.”

One of Carrington’s biggest improvements from last year to this one has been his three-point shot. Last season, he shot 33.9 percent on five attempts per game. This season, he is averaging two makes on the same number of attempts, good for 40.3 percent.

As of Dec. 31, Carrington was one of only three players in the NBA this season shooting 40 percent or better on both catch-and-shoot and pull-up three-pointers, according to the Wizards’ radio broadcast.

Against the Bucks, Bub Carrington made franchise history, joining Jordan Poole as the only Wizards players reach 20 points, five assists, five rebounds and six three-pointers in a game.

Carrington’s improvement as a three-point shooter was a huge first step in his development. If he can pair that accuracy with better playmaking, he’ll start to really make some noise.

The Greatness of Trae Young

Young is always near or at the top of the leaderboards for assists per game and total assists. He even led the league in total assists and total points in the same season.

For three of the seven seasons he’s been in the league, Young has led the league in total assists. There is no question that he is one of the most gifted passers in the NBA.

That type of ability can rub off on Carrington. He is going to soak up all the knowledge that the four-time All-Star will have to offer. Learning how to play pick-and-roll, when to hunt his shot, when to find his wings or bigs — Young can teach Carrington all those things. 

“I run a pick and roll with Alex, I get him a little drop off to a dunk or a lob, I see Bilal cutting and he gets the ball, and it’s not cutting just to cut, that builds chemistry, that builds trust,” Young said about meshing with his young teammates. His passing is one of the biggest strengths of his game and because of him the young players will get a chance to score easier baskets. 

Carrington is still very young and his ceiling is nowhere near where it can be. He is only scratching the surface on how good he can become. With Young in his corner to teach him the ropes, Carrington can become a really good player in this league. 

Share
Written by
Jarrett Spence

Jarrett Spence is a freelance sports journalist specializing in NBA and WNBA coverage, with experience writing for platforms like FanSided and The Stop and Pop. Based in Washington, D.C., he covers the Washington Wizards and Mystics, delivering engaging stories, game analysis, and exclusive player insights. With a passion for storytelling and a strong social media presence.

Leave a comment

Related Articles
Apr 27, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) guards Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the second quarter during game four of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
InterviewsNBANBA WestTimberwolvesTrending

Scoop B Weighs in on LeBron James’ Chances of Signings with Timberwolves

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson is a multi-hyphenate journalist, media personality, and cultural...

May 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half in game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
NBA

Ranking the Most Likely Landing Places For LeBron James This Summer

ESPN writer Brian Windhorst has covered LeBron James since James was a...

Mar 8, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) and Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) reach for the ball in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
KnicksLakersNBANBA EastNBA WestSpurs

NBA Players Leaving Money on the Table Has Become a Valuable Weapon

Austin Reaves‘ decision to leave roughly $5 million on the table by...

Jun 25, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards first round draft pick and number one overall pick AJ Dybantsa poses for a photo with his jersey during a press conference at InterContinental Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
NBANBA EastWizards

AJ Dybantsa Will Save the Washington Wizards

The Wizards have done it. The culmination of a brutal three-year tank,...