In Washington, Brooks’s top priority will be coaxing the best out of John Wall and Bradley Beal, assuming Beal re-signs with the Wizards as expected. But Otto Porter Jr., 22, and Kelly Oubre Jr., 20, are also two young players in need of nourishment and Brooks’s opinions on the lanky duo excited the Wizards’ brass.

“I was gratified when we were interviewing Scott and he was very, very high on Otto Porter and Kelly Oubre,” Wizards owner Ted Leonsis said. “He thought that they could be in the new NBA, especially. Very, very good role players. Need a lot of minutes. And he was very, very high on Kelly. Knew a lot about Kelly.”

Brooks explained his stance on playing time is universal: Players earn it regardless of age. But there is an expectation that Brooks will afford young players more margin for error than his predecessor, Randy Wittman.

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Over the last couple years, as the Wizards’ roster absorbed an influx of veterans, Wittman often chose to play experience over youth. The pressure to win, especially this past season knowing he was essentially a lame-duck coach, probably didn’t motivate Wittman to worry about the future. It was evident over the final couple months of the season when veteran players on expiring contracts were regularly on the floor over Oubre, a rookie. But the organization believed Porter could’ve played more during his first couple years and Oubre should’ve played more this season.

Porter played a significant role in the 2015 playoffs, and ascended to the starting lineup this past season, his third in the NBA, as Paul Pierce’s replacement. But the 6-foot-9 forward out of Georgetown barely played his rookie year, which was delayed by a hip injury, and was at the end of the rotation late in the 2014-15 regular season before surfacing with a breakout month.

This season, Porter, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2013 draft, shot a dreadful 31.2 percent from three-point range through January but improved over the final two-plus months and scored in double figures in 16 of Washington’s final 18 games. He finished the season averaging 11.6 points and 5.2 rebounds, while shooting 47.3 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from three-point range in 75 games.

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“Otto, I think developed, took steps forward, but he didn’t take that next step that most people think he’s capable of taking,” Leonsis said. “I think this would be a breath of fresh air for him on the go forward.”

Oubre, who is slated to work out with Brooks this summer, exhibited flashes of the potential that prompted the Wizards to trade two draft picks (their 2015 first-rounder and 2016 second-rounder) to nab the one-and-done Kansas product on draft night last year. Injuries forced Wittman to go to Oubre in mid-December and the rookie was effective. Over a 19-game stretch, which included nine starts, Oubre averaged 6.1 points and 3.7 rebounds in 19.3 minutes. He shot 43.9 percent from three-point range and was a stout defender, utilizing his 7-3 wingspan to fluster opponents. He had a role and played it well.

But within four games of Porter returning from injury and taking his starting spot back, Oubre was out of the rotation and his playing time fluctuated. The inconsistency generated angst, which produced a desire to impress as much as possible in his limited playing time, which delivered forgettable results. Oubre didn’t log double-digit minutes in a game again until a blowout win over the Brooklyn Nets on April 6.

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When “we did our exit interviews, every player noted to me that he has no fear,” Leonsis said of Oubre. “He’s really hard to play against. He has really, really long arms. He’s tough to play against. The players wanted him to play more. So our coach has already recognized that and thinks that Kelly Oubre is a big asset for us.”

How Oubre and Porter fit in next season depends on this offseason. Maybe the Wizards sign a player that would eclipse Porter in the starting lineup. Perhaps Porter returns stronger and is a viable stretch-four option for longer stretches. Oubre still needs to develop his right hand and improve his shooting. The Wizards could decide to trade one or both to acquire a star to team with Wall and Beal.

But for now, the Wizards envision Porter and Oubre as part of the future and they believe they have the coach in place to unlock their potential.