Washington Wizards 2025 Offseason Snapshot
washington-wizards-2025-offseason-snapshot
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Wizards spent the summer reshaping their roster without chasing short-term wins, opting instead to gather draft capital, trim future salary and give young players room to grow as training camp approaches.
Free-Agent Signings
• Marvin Bagley III — one-year, minimum deal via the minimum-salary exception.
• Anthony Gill — one-year, minimum contract; re-signed with the right to veto trades waived.
Trade Activity
Jazz deal (Draft night)
Acquired the rights to No. 21 pick Will Riley, the No. 43 selection, Miami’s or Indiana’s 2031 second-round pick (more favorable) and Utah’s 2032 second-rounder for the rights to No. 18 pick Walter Clayton.
Thunder swap
Obtained Dillon Jones and Houston’s 2029 second-round pick for Colby Jones.
Three-team transaction with Pelicans and Rockets
Brought in CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk, Cam Whitmore and Chicago’s 2027 second-round pick.
Sent Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and the rights to No. 40 pick Micah Peavy to New Orleans, plus Chicago’s 2026 and Sacramento’s 2029 second-rounders to Houston.
Chicago’s 2027 second now conveys regardless of position; previously it was protected 31-50.
Spurs exchange
Landed Malaki Branham, Blake Wesley and the least favorable of Dallas, Oklahoma City or Philadelphia’s 2026 second-round pick for Olynyk. Wesley was later bought out.
Draft Class
1-6: Tre Johnson — four-year rookie scale contract ($37.44 million).
1-21: Will Riley — four-year rookie scale deal ($17.22 million).
2-43: Jamir Watkins — signed to a two-way contract.
Two-Way Signings
• Tristan Vukcevic — one year, $85,300 guaranteed until opening night when it rises to $318,218.
• Jamir Watkins — same structure as Vukcevic.
Departures
Malcolm Brogdon (signed with Knicks).
JT Thor (unsigned).
Other Roster Moves
• Marcus Smart bought out, surrendering $6.8 million of his $21.59 million salary.
• Blake Wesley bought out, giving back $1.38 million of $4.73 million.
• Richaun Holmes waived; $250,000 of his deal was guaranteed.
• Two-way guard Jaylen Martin waived.
Cap Snapshot
Operating above the $154.6 million cap but below the $187.9 million luxury tax at roughly $156.1 million in committed salary. The club is hard-capped at $195.945 million, holds the full $14.104 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception, $407,672 of the bi-annual exception and three trade exceptions (largest $13.45 million).
Offseason Strategy
After 15 and 18 wins the past two seasons, Washington continued its rebuild rather than chase immediate progress. The front office prioritized expiring contracts, former first-round prospects and additional draft picks while positioning itself to open significant cap space in 2026. Moving Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey for McCollum and Olynyk — both on expiring deals — was central to that plan.
Six first-rounders in three years, including this summer’s selections of Johnson and Riley, give the Wizards a sizeable youth core but no clear franchise centerpiece yet. Johnson impressed in limited Summer League action, tallying 38 points on 58.3% shooting across two games.
What’s Next
The club has 15 guaranteed contracts plus non-guaranteed forward Justin Champagnie, creating a minor logjam before opening night. Malaki Branham and Dillon Jones are potential cut candidates, and one two-way slot remains open; undrafted guard Kadary Richmond is among those expected to compete for it.
With more than $30 million separating the payroll from the tax line, Washington could again serve as a conduit for salary-dump trades during the preseason.
Source: Hoops Rumors
