Bub Carrington's Anomalous Plus/Minus Finish is a Broader Wizards Problem

The Washington Wizards' young guard finds himself at the bottom of the league's plus-minus rankings, but the team's rebuilding strategy is a major factor.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 5:34pm by

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in vibrant shades of red, blue, and purple, breaking down a basketball game into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, representing the challenges the Washington Wizards face as they rebuild their team.A cubist interpretation of the ongoing rebuilding process for the Washington Wizards, with their young players like Bub Carrington struggling to find their footing amidst the team's losses.Portland Today

Bub Carrington, the Washington Wizards' young guard, has posted the worst plus-minus in the NBA over the past two seasons, a reflection of the team's struggles as they rebuild. While Carrington's specific playing style contributes to his poor plus-minus, the Wizards' willingness to prioritize player development over winning has also played a major role.

Why it matters

Carrington's poor plus-minus highlights the challenges the Wizards face as they try to rebuild their roster. The team's focus on giving young players extensive minutes has led to a lot of losses, which is reflected in Carrington's dismal plus-minus numbers. However, this strategy is part of the Wizards' broader plan to develop their young core and position the team for future success.

The details

Carrington, who has yet to miss an NBA game since being drafted two years ago, has the worst plus-minus in the league over the past two seasons at -746. This is partly due to his playing style, as he has become increasingly reluctant to drive to the hoop and instead relies on his 3-point shooting, which has led to poor finishing around the rim. However, the Wizards' willingness to prioritize player development over winning has also been a major factor, as Carrington and other young Wizards players have been given extensive minutes despite the team's struggles.

  • Carrington had the worst plus-minus in the 2024-25 season at -798.
  • In the 2025-26 season, Carrington's plus-minus of -746 was the worst in the league.

The players

Bub Carrington

A young guard for the Washington Wizards who has played in every game over the past two seasons and has posted the worst plus-minus in the league during that time.

Will Riley

Another young Wizards player who is near the bottom of the league in plus-minus, highlighting the team's broader struggles.

Brian Keefe

The head coach of the Washington Wizards, who has had to balance player development with the team's desire to win.

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What’s next

The Wizards are expected to be better next season with the healthy returns of Trae Young and Anthony Davis, which should help improve Carrington's plus-minus numbers as the team shifts its focus more towards winning.

The takeaway

Bub Carrington's poor plus-minus is a symptom of the Wizards' broader rebuilding strategy, which has prioritized player development over immediate wins. While Carrington's playing style has contributed to his dismal plus-minus, the team's willingness to accept losses in order to build for the future is the primary driver behind this statistic.