Chris Singleton

Basic Stats: 3.0 PPG, 2.2 RPG, .2 APG, 37.3FG%

Chris Singleton was drafted by the Wizards in 2011 with the 18th overall pick. While Jan Vesely is the butt of most jokes regarding that draft for the Washington Wizards, Singleton has arguably been even more unproductive, especially considering players drafted after him such as Tobias Harris and Kenneth Faried. While he did flash potential as a stretch 4 shooting 34.6% from three his rookie season, he has since regressed. He also averaged 1.1 steals per game in just 21 minutes per game his rookie season, but he has failed to develop as he has had trouble staying in the rotation. Despite his defensive abilities where he can use his length, Randy Wittman has preferred the other big men on the Wizards over Singleton such as Harrington and Booker.



(Chris Singleton’s shotchart from this season–via NBA.COM)

Singleton mostly got his minutes in garbage time, a mere 10 minutes per game, and he only played in 25 games total for the season. He could barely crack the bench unit early in the season, despite injuries to Nene and Harrington. Later, the Wizards signed Drew Gooden and Singleton was pushed even farther down the bench. When Singleton did get minutes, he showed a decent three point shot, at 36.8%, albeit all from the right wing.

Next Season and Improvement:

The Wizards declined Singleton’s $2.5 million 4th year option, so he will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. He didn’t show much in his past two years to warrant that type of money, and I don’t see the Wizards bringing him back for a cheaper contract either when they will likely have to spend big to keep players such as Trevor Ariza and Marcin Gortat.

Singleton is just 24 years old, and if he continues to work on his three point shot, he could be a valuable stretch four off the bench on some NBA team. It’s unlikely that that team will be the Wizards, as Wittman declined to give him much run despite major injuries early on. I think the Wizards will look in a different direction this summer.

Final Grade: D