One of those players is rookie Jamir Watkins, and on Thursday, it was revealed that the Wizards will be committing to the young guard for the long term.

“The Washington Wizards are signing two-way guard Jamir Watkins to a new two-year contract, agents Drew Morrison and Sam Rose of CAA Sports tell ESPN. Watkins has averaged 13.2 points and one steal in his last six games,” reported ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania on X, formerly Twitter.

Watkins was drafted by the Wizards in the second round in 2025 after finishing up his college career at Florida State. While Watkins is older by rookie standards at age 24, he has still flashed an intriguing skillset during his playing time with the Wizards so far, as well as the ability to defend on the perimeter, which will be an area of significant need for the team heading into next year.

Washington is hoping to re-enter the playoff mix next season, as they will look to add a blue-chip prospect from the 2026 Draft to pair alongside Young, Davis, center Alex Sarr (who is also currently out of the lineup), and some of their other intriguing young players.

In a weak Eastern Conference, that core may well be enough to turn the Wizards into a formidable team for the first time in nearly a decade.

In any case, the Wizards will next take the floor on Thursday for a game against Young’s former team, the Atlanta Hawks.

The post Wizards give promising rookie new 2-year contract appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Bagley turned in his most efficient performance of the season during Tuesday’s 123-124 win over the Brooklyn Nets. The 6-foot-10 big man posted a team-high 22 points and five rebounds on 10-of-13 shooting in 20 minutes off the bench.

“He’s a really good player,” Jason Kidd said of Bagley’s performance. Talking to him, he’s a grown up and he understands the NBA game a little bit. Sometimes it takes time. We all want it to happen overnight. But I think the coaching staff, the media, everyone that’s been on this road trip with him has made him comfortable, and you can see the way he’s playing. If it’s not in the post, it’s an offensive rebound, and then playing defense for us. So the trust with everybody is high, and he’s brand new, and that just shows how talented he is.”

Bagley has been unable to find an NBA home after the Sacramento Kings selected him No. 2 overall in 2018, directly ahead of Luka Doncic, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Trae Young.

Marvin Bagley turns heads during first games with Mavs after Anthony Davis trade

The former Duke star has changed teams five times during his eight-year NBA career. After spending his first three seasons with the Kings, he saw stints with the Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards before landing in Dallas at this year’s trade deadline.

While Bagley’s career has been disappointing, he’s making the most of his new opportunity with the rebuilding Mavericks. With Derek Lively sidelined, the 26-year-old has averaged 13.0 points and 8.2 rebounds on 64.3 percent shooting across five appearances with the team.

“Just keep building,” Bagley said of his mindset following Tuesday’s win. “It’s continuing to learn each other, at least for myself and the new guys. Just continuing to gel with the guys that have been here, learning the system, and just every day putting your best foot forward and giving it your all. That’s my mindset, and it looks like that’s the rest of the guy’s mindset here as well. I love to be a part of this, and I’m just happy that I have teammates like that.”

Bagley is on an expiring minimum contract and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

The post Jason Kidd praises former top draft pick finding his way with Mavericks after surprise trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

State Farm Arena in Atlanta was packed on Tuesday night for Young’s first game back since the trade. Even though the All-Star guard wasn’t officially taking the floor and has yet to play with the Wizards, this was still an emotional return for Young, especially since his love and appreciation for the fans will never cease to exist.

Standing ovation in Atlanta for Ice Trae pic.twitter.com/tRSrZmBxoK

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 25, 2026

“I just wanted the Hawks fans to know how much I love and appreciate them,” Young said before Tuesday night’s game, via Josh Robbins of The Athletic. “Getting drafted, obviously the (draft night) trade … I still found a way to make a name for myself, make a name for my team, and try to put this city on the map where people were talking about us. You can’t do that without the fans. The fans showed us so much love.

“I’ve got so much love for this city and these fans.”

Change is always a weird feeling, especially for professional athletes like Young, who have never played for another team before in their careers. This feeling of “returning home” is new for Young, but he isn’t sad that his time with the Hawks is over. Instead, he continues to celebrate his accomplishments and hold Atlanta close to his heart.

After all, this is the city that gave him his start as a professional basketball player, and you can’t tell the story of his career without first talking about what he meant to the Hawks franchise.

“It’s been crazy; it’s been different,” Young stated regarding his return to Atlanta. “From everything, I’ve just been, to be honest, trying to soak everything in since I’ve been back, just the new experiences and things like that that, obviously, I’m not used to. It’s super unique and something that I’ve been thinking about these past few weeks.”

Between an emotional tribute video before the game and being showered with love from the Hawks’ fans who filled the arena, Young’s return to Atlanta was certainly overwhelming. While he would’ve loved to make his official return to the court against his former team, Young acknowledged that it simply wasn’t meant to be this time around.

However, the star guard made it clear he will have many more chances to compete in Atlanta. Only this time, it will be as a member of the Wizards and not as the face of the Hawks.

The post Why Trae Young’s Wizards trade won’t change how he truly feels about Hawks, fans appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Before facing the Wizards, the Hawks played a nice tribute video for the 2021-22 All-NBA Third-Team selection, which featured his biggest shots, a nutmeg on Kevin Durant at the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, and of course, his famous bow in Madison Square Garden after eliminating the New York Knicks in the playoffs. Fans flooded the building with applause and gratitude. Young reciprocated the love, but he still needed some time to process his emotions after the homecoming.

He took to X after Washington’s 119-98 loss. “Still gathering my thoughts,” the No. 5 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft posted. “My love for Atlanta is everlasting.”

Young is still sidelined with an MCL sprain and quadriceps contusion, so he had the luxury of truly basking in the crowd’s appreciation throughout the evening. The 2024-25 assists champion is dedicated to helping the Wizards compete in the East moving forward, but he will forever be linked to the ATL.

Trae Young led the team to an improbable trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2022, something the Hawks have achieved only one other time since moving to Atlanta in 1968. He is also the all-time franchise leader in 3-pointers made (1,295) and assists (4,837). The city is optimistic for this new era of hoops, but it is obviously grateful for the heavy workload that No. 3 carried during his eight years with the squad.

And he clearly feels the same way. Following this moment of closure, both sides will now turn the page to what they hope is a promising chapter of their respective NBA journeys.

The post Wizards’ Trae Young sends heartfelt message to Atlanta after tribute video appeared first on ClutchPoints.

On Saturday, the Wizards continued their quest for improvement by signing a two-way player to a three-year contract worth up to $9 million. Tristan Vukcevic is a rising big man for the Wizards, and Washington did not want to let him go. Shams Charania was on the news.

“The Washington Wizards are signing two-way center Tristan Vukcevic to a new three-year, $9 million deal, sources tell ESPN. Team option in third season. The Wizards and the 7-footer’s agent, Jason Ranne of Wasserman, reached the new contract Saturday.”

Vukcevic is averaging 7.9 points per game this season and adds 2.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists. The 7-footer has started five games this season and has appeared in 35. His scoring is actually down from the past two seasons. He averaged just shy of 10 points per game last year at 9.4, and then in 2023, he averaged 8.5 points. When in the game, the big man looks to score the rock. He’s a career 32% shooter from beyond the arc and shoots 48% from the floor. If he can pick it up on defense, he may play more than 12.3 minutes per game.

Vukcevic is a very efficient player. If you compare his numbers to those of someone who plays at least 32 minutes per game, he could put up almost 30 points and roughly nine rebounds per game. The Wizards are banking on his improvement.

The post Wizards re-sign key piece of future to 3-year, $9 million extension appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Wizards put out an injury update on Thursday ahead of the return to play.

“The Washington Wizards announced today the following injury updates for guard Trae Young and forward/center Anthony Davis:

Young, who has been sidelined by a right knee MCL sprain and quad contusion, was re-evaluated following the All-Star break and has progressed positively. He will ramp up his on-court activities, and further updates will be provided in a week.

Davis, who is out with ligament damage in his left hand, was re-evaluated by Dr. Steven Shin of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, and is progressing as expected. Davis has not been cleared for basketball activity. Davis will be re-evaluated in two weeks, and further updates will be provided as appropriate.”

Wizards say Trae Young will be ramping up his on-court activities and will have further updates in a week.

Anthony Davis will be re-evaluated in 2 weeks. pic.twitter.com/VMMfsHGt0l

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 19, 2026

Trae Young has played just 10 games this season, all with the Atlanta Hawks, averaging 19.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, 8.9 assists, and 1.0 steal per game. Young has struggled to stay healthy all season, and the Hawks strong play in his absence led by Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker made him a player Atlanta was willing to trade.

Anthony Davis has also struggled to stay on the floor this season, dealing with numerous injuries during his time with the Mavs. In 20 appearances this season, Davis averaged 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 50.6 percent from the field.

Since being traded to the Dallas Mavericks in the blockbuster Luka Doncic trade with the Los Angeles Lakers, Davis played a grand total 892 minutes across 29 games with the Mavs.

The Washington Wizards kick off the second half of their season by taking on the Indiana Pacers in a back-to-back set on Thursday and Friday inside Capital One Arena.

The post Anthony Davis, Trae Young get injury updates after trades to Wizards appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Now, this may be hyperbolic, and there are certainly no concrete indications that James is even eyeing a move to the Wizards. He’s well-entrenched in LA, as he and his family are living comfortably in the city. It’s unlikely that James moves away from home this late in his career.

Nonetheless, James gave a glowing review of the Wizards following their trade deadline dealings, including acquiring his good buddy Anthony Davis, which may be the first step in what could be an unlikely move to the nation’s capital.

“I’m interested to see what they do and how it all comes together. With AD obviously we know the talent level is out of this world. And Trae, with his ability to play pick and roll game, his ability to shoot the ball, his lob threat,” James said on the latest episode of the Mind The Game podcast.

“They have some pieces and I think for the first time in a few years we can say that Washington has grabbed some pieces. So it’s going to be interesting to see what happens.”

LeBron James showers Wizards’ youngsters with love

There is indeed something brewing in the nation’s capital, and James is right in that the time to invest in Wizards stocks might be now.

“I love the young kid from France, that they have on their team too, Sarr. We just played him two weeks ago. Great touch, great feel for the game. Love the kid George as well. Young kid, um, pretty good player. And then also the rookie kid that they got from Texas, Johnson, Tre Johnson,” James added.

The post Could LeBron James be eyeing Wizards after recent trade remarks? appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Tre Johnson revealed that NBA legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson spoke to the Rising Stars, via Monumental Sports Network’s Chase Hughes.

Tre Johnson told @chasedcsports that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson talked to the Rising Stars, so I asked him what stands out about their games (thread):

“It’s different but it’s effective. They were effective in their own ways. That’s really all it is, no matter how… pic.twitter.com/azbg90kEUZ

— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) February 14, 2026

“They was talking about their experiences in the league, the ups and downs,” the 19-year-old revealed.

He also told ClutchPoints what stands out about their games.

“It’s different but it’s effective. They were effective in their own ways,” he said. “That’s really all it is, no matter how it looks or how you get it done, just being effective.”

Abdul-Jabbar and Robertson were nothing if not effective. Abdul-Jabbar is a six-time NBA MVP, two-time NBA Finals MVP, four-time blocks leader, and is second only to LeBron James on the all-time scoring list. Meanwhile, Robertson is a six-time assists leader, an 11-time All-NBA honoree, and is second all-time in triple-doubles.

Learning about ups and downs from players of that caliber can only have a positive effect on young hoopers like Johnson, George, and Carrington. They’ve each experienced bumps in the road during their time with the Wizards so far, but that’s an unavoidable part of the journey.

Johnson also revealed his thoughts on Abdul-Jabbar’s signature move.

“I feel like Kareem’s sky hook could still be used,” the former Texas Longhorn said. “Probably not as much, but I still haven’t seen nobody really block it.”

It remains to be seen whether Johnson will start draining sky hooks like Abdul-Jabbar, but the point is that the legends of past generations are still helpful to learn from. While the “Wiz Kids” play in an era heavier on floor spacing and three-point shooting than their older counterparts, all-time greats can give insight into how to adjust and excel while experiencing ups and downs.

Wizards’ Kyshawn George talks up Vince Carter after winning Rising Stars

Johnson and Carrington’s night ended early on Friday, as Team T-Mac lost to Team Vince 41-36 in the second game. But Johnson did hit a highlight-reel three over George, a reminder of his limitless range on the national stage.

LET IT FLY TRE pic.twitter.com/gYMgM3h5ry

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 14, 2026

George got the last laugh, as he and Team Vince beat Team Melo (Carmelo Anthony) 25-24 in the final round. The former Miami Hurricane finished with a combined eight points (4-8 FG, 0-4 3-point), six rebounds, five assists, and one steal over 19 minutes on Friday.

George opened up on what it was like to be coached by Carter, via Monumental Sports Network’s Bijan Todd.

@bijan_todd asked Kyshawn George what it was like being coached by Vince Carter at Rising Stars, so I asked him what he liked about Vince’s game growing up:

“His athleticism. His dunks were really graceful. And the way he changed his game over time. He was known as a dunker,… pic.twitter.com/LO5hmjvCXe

— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) February 14, 2026

“It was fun. I actually watched him a lot growing up, a lot of highlight tapes,” the 2024 first-round pick said. “Just being able to be in that environment with great players was fun.”

George also told ClutchPoints what he liked about Carter’s game.

“Just his athleticism. His dunks were really graceful,” the Swiss-Canadian said. “And the way he changed his game over time. He was known as a dunker, and then he expanded his game to more shooting and playmaking.”

Carter played from 1998 to 2020 and was an eight-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA honoree, and the 1999 Rookie of the Year. The Florida native emerged as a global star for his dunking ability during his time with the Toronto Raptors from 1998 to 2004 and is 11th all-time in three-pointers made.

Being coached by a former player of that caliber, especially one that he looked up to as a kid, is the type of full-circle moment that George earned through his play with the Wizards thus far. The 22-year-old is already one of the most well-rounded players on the team, as he’s averaging 15.1 points on 44.1 percent shooting (37.7 percent 3-point) with 5.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and two “stocks” (steals and blocks) over 30.1 minutes thus far.

Johnson (38.6 percent 3-point) and Carrington (39.3 percent 3-point) have also excelled from deep, which is a necessary trait to survive in today’s league. But the best “Wiz Kid” has been second-year big man Alex Sarr (hamstring), who missed the Rising Stars Challenge due to injury. The native Frenchman is averaging 17.8 points on 49.6 percent shooting (33.6 percent 3-point) and is tied for second in the NBA with two blocks per game over 28.2 minutes.

The objective for Washington the rest of this season is to continue developing the young core while losing enough games to keep its top-eight protected lottery pick this summer. Up next are back-to-back home games against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday and Friday before hosting the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.

The post ‘Wiz Kids’ laud Kareem-Abdul Jabbar, Oscar Robertson, Vince Carter at All-Star Weekend appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Wizards wing Kyshawn George admitted on Friday that the 37-year-old is the toughest player to guard in basketball, per Monumental Sports Network. That speaks to Durant’s longevity, as his rookie season was 2007-08 and George was born on Dec. 12, 2003.

George, a second-year player, earned his first career Rising Stars nod this season and will play for Team Vince (Vince Carter’s squad) in Friday night’s Rising Stars Challenge. Fellow Wizards Tre Johnson and Bub Carrington will play for Team T-Mac (Tracy McGrady). Carrington was selected as an injury replacement for Washington big man Alex Sarr (hamstring), per NBA.com.

All of those “Wiz Kids” have shown promise in different ways. George is the most balanced of the group, as he’s averaging 15.1 points on 44.1 percent shooting (37.7 percent 3-point) with 5.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and two “stocks” (steals and blocks) over 30.1 minutes. Meanwhile, Carrington and Johnson are sporting 39.3 and 38.6 percent clips from deep, respectively, and Sarr is tied for second in the NBA with two blocks per game. The latter player is also averaging 17.2 points on 49.6 percent shooting (33.6 percent 3-point) despite not having played with a true point guard yet.

However, the Wizards won’t reach the promised land until they develop a consistent All-NBA player like Durant. The four-time scoring champion has earned All-NBA honors 11 times, most recently in 2024. He’s also averaging 25.8 points on 50.6 percent shooting (40.3 percent 3-point) over 36.7 minutes this season, just 1.4 points below his career average despite being in the league for almost 20 years. On top of that, he’s shooting 0.4 percent higher from the field and 1.3 percent higher from downtown.

Durant is hard to replicate, as he’s seven feet tall in basketball shoes but dribbles and shoots like a guard. Washington doesn’t need to develop someone of that archetype, but it needs an elite player to build around for multiple years.

While George or one of the other current young core pieces could become “The Guy,” there’s no guarantee. Additionally, the acquisitions of stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis will likely help the team be competitive next season, but they might not be in Washington long-term.

That’s why this summer’s draft is one of the most crucial in franchise history. Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, and Duke’s Cameron Boozer all have superstar-level ceilings, so landing a top-three pick in May’s NBA Draft Lottery is the dream scenario.

Regardless, Durant’s continued excellence is a reminder of what’s possible, and the Wizards’ rebuild will never be truly over until they have an All-NBA player in his prime for several years.

Wizards can look to Rockets for inspiration

The Houston Rockets, who are fourth in the Western Conference at 33-20, exemplify what Washington could eventually become. They’re led by Durant, but also have an elite big man in Alperen Sengun (20.7 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 6.3 APG) and one of the NBA’s best young guards in Amen Thompson (17.6 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 5.4 APG). In addition, fellow rookie contract players Jabari Smith Jr. (15.2 PPG) and Reed Sheppard (12.7 PPG) are coming into their own.

The difference is that the head of the snake for the Wizards will likely be younger than Durant is now, at least for the foreseeable future. But between Young, Davis, their young core, and their 2026 lottery pick, they’ll have enough talent to look a team like the Rockets in the eye.

For now, the mission is to have fun at the All-Star festivities in Inglewood, Calif. and continue to develop for the remainder of the regular season. Washington’s season finale will be a road matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 12, and the draft lottery is on May 10.

The post Wizards’ Kyshawn George drops high praise on Kevin Durant at All-Star Weekend appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Whereas the Mavs announced that Flagg is out through the All-Star break with a left midfoot sprain, the Wizards announced early Thursday morning that Sarr would miss the All-Star event due to a hamstring strain. This injury will keep Sarr sidelined for approximately two weeks.

Since both Flagg and Sarr are unable to participate in the Rising Stars event, the NBA has already named their replacements for the weekend’s festivities. Utah Jazz rookie Ace Bailey will be replacing Flagg, and Wizards guard Bub Carrington will be replacing Sarr, his teammate, in the 2026 Rising Stars.

Despite a slow start to his rookie year in Salt Lake City, Bailey has worked his way into being a key contributor for Will Hardy’s team. Since the start of January, Bailey has averaged 13.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while shooting 46.4 percent from the floor. He ranks fifth in scoring among all rookies during this stretch.

Bailey has also scored at least 10 points in 14 of his last 16 games, including four 20-point performances.

As for Carrington, he continues to see his role with the Wizards increase with CJ McCollum no longer being on the team and Trae Young yet to make his debut since the big trade in January.

Carrington has started in 24 of the 53 games he’s played this season, averaging 10.2 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game while shooting 39.3 percent from 3-point range. He is one of 16 second-year players averaging double-digit scoring numbers, and he’s made the third-most threes out of NBA “sophomores” this season.

The 2026 Rising Stars will take place on Friday, February 13, at the LA Clippers’ Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

The post Cooper Flagg, Alex Sarr replacements for NBA All-Star Weekend festivities appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr has sustained a right hamstring strain and will miss approximately two weeks, sources tell ESPN. Sarr, one of three players averaging at least 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game this season, is now out for Friday’s Rising Stars game,” Charania wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

The good news for Sarr is that it happened right before the All-Star break, so he has time to recover without the Wizards having a game. Hamstring injuries are not to be taken lightly, and the hope is that he can return to full health in those two weeks.

The Wizards are already dealing with injuries, and it’s to some of the players that they’ve traded for this season. Trae Young has been sidelined since he got traded to the Wizards as he recovers from MCL and quad injuries on the same leg. He’s supposed to be re-evaluated after the All-Star break, and it will be interesting to see if he suits up at some point for the team this season.

As for Anthony Davis, he’s still recovering from his hand injury that he suffered with the Dallas Mavericks, and though there were rumblings that he was going to sit out for the rest of the season, the Wizards said that they expect him to play when he’s healthy.

With their two stars injured, it has given the young guys on the team more minutes on the court to continue to grow and develop alongside each other.

The post Wizards’ Alex Sarr out of Rising Stars Game with hamstring injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.

This season was always about keeping that pick while developing their young core, but there are more eyes on them now because of the Trae Young and Anthony Davis trades. That extra attention has caused more people than usual on social media to voice their displeasure with Washington consistently sitting key players.

The Wizards sat second-year forward Kyshawn George (knee), second-year center Alex Sarr (ankle), third-year guard Bilal Coulibaly (back), and rookie guard Tre Johnson (ankle) in Saturday’s 127-113 road loss to the Brooklyn Nets. This came after an upset 126-117 road victory over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, who are in first place in the Eastern Conference. George, Sarr, and Coulibaly all played in that contest.

George, Sarr, and Coulibaly all played in Sunday’s 132-101 home loss to the Miami Heat too, while Goerge, Coulibaly, and Johnson are available for Wednesday’s game, per the team’s social media. Sarr (hamstring) is out.

Additionally, Young (knee, quad) and Davis (hand, groin) have yet to suit up for the team. Young will be reevaluated after the All-Star break, and Davis is unlikely to play for the rest of the season, per NBA On Prime’s Chris Haynes. However, Washington general manager Will Dawkins said before Sunday’s game that it’s “highly likely” that both stars will play this season, per Locked On Wizards’ Ben Strober.

Wizards part of NBA’s ‘race to bottom’

Regardless of whether Dawkins’ declaration comes true, voices in the NBA community don’t appreciate the Wizards sitting so many players. KnicksFanTv’s CPTheFanchise called for action on Friday, via “The Putback” podcast.

"I think the league has to look into this"@CPTheFanchise sounds off on the Wizards' "intentional talking" given how their first-round pick would go to the Knicks if it does not fall inside the top eight pic.twitter.com/WZCgCM0y0m

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) February 6, 2026

“The idea that the Wizards are now going to have Trae Young there, you can already envision them sitting Anthony Davis for quite some time,” he said. “With the idea that the Wizards do owe the [New York] Knicks that conditional pick, and that they’re essentially gonna continue to tank with these two guys in their roster, I think the league has to look into this.”

“This intentional tanking when you have picks and swaps involved in these negotiations that are essentially meaningless,” he continued. “This is the second time that this is going to happen with the Knicks, the first time being when the Dallas Mavericks sat Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in the final game of their season to tank the pick that they owe the Knicks. They eventually got the No. 10 pick and drafted Derek Lively. I think the league has to and will ultimately look into this because it really renders these conditional picks as meaningless when you have teams out there intentionally sabotaging their season.”

Due to a series of previous trades including the John Wall-Russell Westbrook deal in 2020, Washington’s 2026 first-round pick will go to New York if it falls outside the top eight. If not, the Knicks will get two second-rounders.

But the reality is that the Wizards were never giving up that pick. The top-eight protection is irrelevant, as they needed the selection whether it was protected or not. This draft class has superstars like Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, and Duke’s Cameron Boozer, all players who could become their franchise cornerstones. Washington has built a deep young core, but none of those players have the ceiling of that collegiate trio.

Getting Young and Davis this season was a head start on next year, when it plans to be competitive. Other tanking squads employed the same strategy at the NBA Trade Deadline, like the Utah Jazz acquiring star big man Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Memphis Grizzlies and the Indiana Pacers getting veteran Ivica Zubac from the Los Angeles Clippers. The difference is that Jackson is healthy, so the Jazz have sat both him and Lauri Markkanen in the fourth quarter in each of their last two games, a 120-117 loss to the Orlando Magic on Saturday and a 115-11 win over the Miami Heat on Monday. They entered the fourth quarter with a 94-87 lead on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Zubac will miss extended time with an ankle issue, per The Indianapolis Star. The 28-year-old last played on Feb. 2 and has logged 43 appearances this year, and Jackson has played 47 games. On the other hand, Young hasn’t played since Dec. 27 and has 10 games played, while Davis hasn’t played since Jan. 8 and has 20 appearances.

Young and Davis’s longer absences give the Wizards plausible deniability, as they can point to player health as the reason for their approach. Conversely, Utah sitting Jackson and Markkanen in the fourth quarter is more blatant.

While the NBA flattened the lottery odds, the worst team can still guarantee a top-five pick, the second-worst a top-six selection, and so on. The Pacers have even more incentive to tank, as they dealt a top-four protected pick to the Clippers in the Zubac trade.

Removing pick protections and completely randomizing the lottery for non-playoff teams are sensible ways to solve the issue moving forward. But until the league changes the rules, it’s hard to blame struggling organizations for securing the best lottery odds they can, especially for a stacked class like 2026.

The post Why Wizards’ tank is symptom of flawed NBA system appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Recently, it was announced that Davis would likely suit up for this season for the Wizards as he recovers from injury, and now, some are wondering if Young might do the same in order to help Washington’s shameless tanking efforts.

“Wizards general manager Will Dawkins said over the weekend that Trae Young is expected to play for his new team at some point in the second half of the season,” reported NBA insider Marc Stein on Substack.

Stein also spoke on speculation that Washington would also want to sit Young in order to improve their draft positioning.

“Young is only 27. He played in just 10 games in Atlanta this season before getting moved. Is he going to throw away one whole season of his career because of Washington’s, uh, draft positioning prioritization aims?” he wondered.

Young missed the majority of the season for the Hawks this year with an MCL injury that he suffered in October, and has yet to suit up for the Wizards since the trade.

The prospect of adding a blue-chip lottery talent to the core of Davis and Young is certainly an enticing one for Wizards fans, although the recently-flattened lottery odds make it so that losing a ton of games by no means guarantees a team a great draft pick. In fact, the last two number one overall picks were awarded to teams that made the postseason.

In any case, the Wizards are next slated to take the floor on Wednesday evening for a road game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, their final contest before the All-Star break.

The post Will Wizards’ Trae Young actually play again this season with Anthony Davis out? appeared first on ClutchPoints.

However, recent reporting suggests that Russell might not be in DC for long.

“We’ll try to figure out what’s best for him and for the team,” said Wizards general manager Will Dawkins, per ClutchPoints’ NBA insider Brett Siegel.

“Russell will not report to Washington and may very well hit the buyout market this upcoming week,” reported Siegel on X, formerly Twitter.

If Russell does indeed hit the buyout market, here are some destinations that could make sense for the guard.

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics have a bit of a need for bench scoring currently after sending out Anfernee Simons at the trade deadline in exchange for Chicago Bulls big man Nikola Vucevic.

Their lack of perimeter shooting off the bench was on full display on Sunday, as the team shot just 17% from beyond the arc in a blowout loss to the New York Knicks.

While Russell might not fully solve this problem, he would give Joe Mazzulla another player who can get scalding hot on any given night, and could more or less replicate the production that Simons provided for the first half of this season.

Miami Heat

The Miami Heat have played the vast majority of this season without Tyler Herro, and after the team remained dormant at the NBA trade deadline, Pat Riley would do well to look to add more offensive firepower on the buyout market.

Russell has some well-documented flaws and might not necessarily be a great fit for Erik Spoelstra’s defense-first style of play, but for a Heat team that doesn’t have a lot of perimeter shot creation outside of Norman Powell, taking a chance on Russell might be a risk worth taking.

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets have been on the struggle bus in recent weeks, finally getting back on track with a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday afternoon.

Reed Sheppard has hit a major sophomore slump over the last month, and Russell’s veteran experience might be just what the team needs to help reignite the offense and give them some microwave scoring off the bench, especially on nights when Sheppard’s shot isn’t falling.

The post 3 best D’Angelo Russell destinations with Wizards exit looking imminent after Anthony Davis trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Days later, the Hornets made a decision on Branham, according to Brett Siegel of Clutch Points.

“The Hornets are waiving Malaki Branham,” Siegel wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Branham averaged 8.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 17.8 minutes per game between the San Antonio Spurs and Wizards. He was selected by the Spurs with the 20th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, and played with the team for three seasons before being traded to the Wizards.

It’s uncertain if a team will pick him up from waivers, but if not, he’ll be a free agent, and then he can decide where he wants to go.

The Hornets already have enough guards on the team, so it’s no surprise they waived Branham, especially if he wasn’t going to get any playing time. One of the reasons for their success over the past few weeks has been their guard play, as LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel have played well off of each other. Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges have also been holding it down in the frontcourt.

Now with Coby White coming off the bench, they’ll have somebody who can score from anywhere on the court, and it’ll only make them better.

The Hornets have found themselves in the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference, and there’s a chance that they can make up even more ground in the standings if they continue their winning streak.

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Brooklyn labeled Porter’s status as right knee tendinitis, while Demin was given the night off for rest.

Porter suffered what he called “a little” MCL sprain during a Jan. 7 win over the Orlando Magic. However, he did not miss any time due to the injury. Meanwhile, Demin has gotten several nights off for injury management, most of which have come during back-to-backs, after missing most of the offseason due to a plantar fascia tear.

Porter and Demin’s rest night comes after the Nets snapped a three-game losing streak with a 127-113 blowout win over the Wizards on Saturday.

Michael Porter Jr., Egor Demin sidelined vs. Bulls after Nets win

After entering the game tied with Brooklyn for fourth in the draft lottery standings, Washington rested nearly its entire rotation on Saturday. The Wizards had only eight available players, three of whom were on two-way contracts and one of whom was a recent 10-day signing.

Saturday’s win dropped Brooklyn to fifth in the lottery standings, a game behind the Wizards. Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz’s 120-117 loss to the Magic pulled them within one game of the Nets. The Jazz led by seven points entering the fourth quarter, but did not play their two top players, Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr., for the entire final period.

Whether they like it or not, the Nets will have to take similar measures to maintain their position in the tank race during the second half of the season. With Porter and Demin sidelined, Brooklyn will enter as a heavy underdog vs. Chicago.

The Nets will return to Barclays Center on Wednesday for a critical tank matchup with the Indiana Pacers. Brooklyn is two games behind Indiana for second place in the lottery standings.

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Alex Sarr injury status vs. Nets

Given that Alex Sarr is questionable on the injury report, it’s difficult to gauge whether he’ll eventually be cleared to play ahead of Saturday’s matchup against the Nets. After the Wizards formed a dynamic duo following their trade for Anthony Davis, the front office enjoyed a stunning upset win against the team with the second-best record in the NBA. Sarr and George helped the shorthanded Wizards defeat the Pistons. 

Sarr finished with 19 points on an efficient 7-for-12 shooting, five rebounds, and four blocks. George added nine points, four rebounds, and three steals. The Wizards handed the Pistons their 13th loss of the season, improving to 14-36, while capturing their second win in three tries.

Sarr has had an impressive season, averaging 17.3 points on 49.6% shooting, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game in only his second campaign. You can say the same about George, who’s also in his second season with the Wizards, averaging 15.1 points on 44.6% shooting, including 37.6% from deep, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game.

However, regarding whether Alex Sarr is playing tonight against the Nets, the answer is maybe.

Wizards injury report

Bilal Coulibaly — Questionable — Lower back soreness

Anthony Davis — Out — Trade pending

Dante Exum — Out — Trade pending

Kyshawn George — Questionable — Right knee contusion

Jaden Hardy — Out — Trade pending

Tre Johnson — Out — Left ankle sprain

D’Angelo Russell — Out — Trade pending

Alex Sarr — Questionable — Right ankle sprain

Cam Whitmore — Out — Right shoulder; deep vein thrombosis

Trae Young — Out — Right knee; MCL sprain; quad contusion

The post Are Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George playing tonight? Wizards vs. Nets injury report appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Veteran NBA reporter Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reported that Davis “likely isn’t enthusiastic about joining the Wizards,” a point he reiterated on a podcast Thursday. However, the 10-time All-Star denied any such feelings and laid out what will ultimately determine his future in the capital in an interview with The Athletic on Friday.

“They said I said a lot of stuff in the other city, too, that I didn’t say,” Davis said. “The visit’s been great. They definitely welcomed me with open arms, spent some time with Ted [Leonsis] and Zach [Leonsis]. It’s totally different from what they make it seem. I know it’s like, oh, they have the stigma of they’re not a good team. I haven’t seen the practice facility yet, but the arena is top-notch, world-class for sure. Seen the chefs and how they take care of the families. It’s been great.”

Davis indicated that any commitment will depend on his understanding of Washington’s long-term strategy.

“I need to talk with Will [Dawkins], Ted, Zach, and kind of figure out what the actual plan is, and then just kind of go from there,” said Davis. “I talked briefly (Friday) with Will. Obviously, at this time, every year, you want to compete for championships and stuff like that. That’s obviously the main focus, getting to that place. Conversations are going to be held to see about getting to that space. I’ve been everywhere the last two years. I want to see the plan, hear the plan, see the vision. Bringing Trae (Young) here and other things in store, what they’re thinking of doing, I want to have those conversations with them and see what happens. The city is obviously phenomenal.”

The 32-year-old big man made his most striking remark while talking about the Wizards’ potential trajectory. Washington has won just 33 games over the past two seasons and currently sits 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 14–36 record. They have also missed the postseason in four straight years and have not surpassed 35 wins in any season during that period.

“Obviously, it’s tough right now with the team,” Davis said. “It shows with their record, but adding certain pieces, that can change. It’s year by year. They could be the No. 1 team in the East next year.”

That optimism depends on building a roster around a young core that includes Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, and the newly acquired Trae Young. The Wizards brought in Young from the Atlanta Hawks on January 7, and adding Davis was reportedly intended to show Young that the team is serious about contending next season.

Contractually, Davis remains non-committal. He is under contract for the 2026–27 season at around $58.5 million and holds a player option worth about $62.8 million for the 2027–28 season. His agent, Rich Paul, confirmed that extension talks are not imminent, especially given Davis’ age and recent injury history. Since joining Dallas last February, Davis appeared in just 29 of a possible 83 games, and he is currently on the shelf after undergoing surgery on his left hand in mid-January.

The post Wizards’ Anthony Davis drops wild take on Washington’s 2027 ceiling appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Washington landed Davis from the Dallas Mavericks ahead of the trade deadline. They landed him, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum in exchange for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Tyus Jones, Marvin Bagley III, and draft compensation.

However, injuries have been brutal for Davis this season. He only took part in 20 games throughout the campaign, going through a calf strain before sustaining injuries to his hand and groin.

Knowing how crucial Davis will be to their plans, the Wizards will have the star big man sit out the remainder of the year to fully recover for next season. NBA insider Chris Haynes revealed as much on Friday.

“Washington Wizards star Anthony Davis (hand, groin) expected to sit out the remainder of the season to fully get healthy for the 2026-27 season, league sources tell me,” Haynes wrote.

What’s next for Wizards after Anthony Davis news

Considering the Wizards are far from playoff contention this season, the decision to sit out Anthony Davis is a reasonable one. They will be a lottery team this year, but next season presents a real opportunity for them to make serious noise as a playoff contender.

The Wizards’ last serious playoff run was in 2017 during the John Wall era, losing to the Boston Celtics in the East Semis. They later suffered first-round exits in 2018 and 2021 and have been a lottery squad since.

However, their major moves for Davis and Trae Young indicate a new direction for the franchise. The Wizards will have a higher floor and ceiling with the star duo healthy for next season, displaying a lot of promise for the team’s fanbase.

Washington has a 14-36 record this season, holding the 13th spot in the Eastern Conference standings. They are one game above the Brooklyn Nets and three games above the Indiana Pacers. However, they trail the Milwaukee Bucks by seven games and the Chicago Bulls by nine games.

The Wizards will continue preparations for their upcoming matchup, being on the road. They face the Nets as tip-off will take place on Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. ET.

The post Wizards’ Anthony Davis to miss remainder of 2025-26 season with hand, groin injuries appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Davis wasted no time disputing reports that he was “unhappy” about the move from the Dallas Mavericks. In a video message to the fans, a smiling Davis expressed his excitement, noting he was already touring the arena and facilities.

"So excited to be here. Can't wait to get started."

Anthony Davis' message to Wizards fans

(via @WashWizards)pic.twitter.com/L9UvR1Suf5 https://t.co/7h7kozVpgU

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 7, 2026

The trade itself was a monster eight-player swap. The Washington Wizards sent Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, and Marvin Bagley III to the Mavericks, along with a haul of draft picks.

In return, the Wizards secured Davis and a trio of guards in D’Angelo Russell, Jaden Hardy, and Dante Exum. While some critics questioned Dallas trading the centerpiece of their Luka Doncic deal from a year ago, Washington is betting big on a Davis-Trae Young pairing.

Adding to the drama, Davis chose to wear jersey No. 23, a number that hasn’t been touched in Washington since Michael Jordan’s final retirement in 2003. While the choice sparked some online controversy among fans protective of MJ’s legacy, Davis is no stranger to the digits, having worn them during his dominant years with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Davis joins a Wizards squad that has shown signs of life lately, recently upsetting the Detroit Pistons 126-117 behind 20 points from Will Riley. With Davis (averaging 20 points and 11 rebounds this season) anchoring the paint, the Wizards are clearly done with the rebuilding phase. If “The Brow” can stay on the floor, the Eastern Conference hierarchy just got a major shakeup.

The post Wizards’ Anthony Davis disputes ‘unhappy’ reports after Washington trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Wizards got Young from the Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 7 and Davis from the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. Here’s the full summary of what they acquired and sent out:

Acquired:

• G Trae Young
• F Anthony Davis
• G D’Angelo Russell
• G Jaden Hardy
• G Dante Exum

Sent out:

• G CJ McCollum
• F Corey Kispert
• F Khris Middleton
• G AJ Johnson
• G Malaki Branham
• C Marvin Bagley III
• 2026 first-round pick (OKC)
• 2030 top-20 protected first-round pick (GSW)
• 2026 second-round pick (PHX)
• 2027 second-round pick (CHI)
• 2029 second-round pick (HOU)

In short, Washington added two stars without giving up any foundational players or lottery picks. This is because Atlanta and Dallas wanted to shed Young and Davis’s contracts, as they make a combined $100.1 million this season. Additionally, Young has a $49 million player option for next year, while Davis is due to make $58.4 million before a $62.7 million player option for 2027-28.

The Wizards gave the Hawks and Mavericks financial flexibility by sending expiring contracts like McColum, Middleton, Branham, and Bagley in addition to affordable longer-term contracts like Kispert and Johnson. They’ll now have less cap space moving forward, but they have two new stars to help them be competitive next season and possibly beyond. Mix that with their young core and whoever they draft in the lottery this summer, and it’s easily their best outlook since they made the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2017.

Wizards trade deadline grade: B+

Washington couldn’t have done better value-wise in either of these deals, other than getting draft capital back from Atlanta for helping it clear its books. However, it now has its least amount of financial flexibility since team president Michael Winger and general manager Will Dawkins dealt Bradley Beal’s supermax contract to the Phoenix Suns shortly after they took office in the 2023 offseason.

On one hand, that’s a sign that the rebuild has progressed. Dawkins and Winger not only tore down the previous roster assembled by former general manager Tommy Sheppard, but they also built a foundation of young talent and acquired two stars to springboard the organization into playoff contention after it drafts a lottery prospect this summer. The 2026 class has three superstars: Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, Duke’s Cameron Boozer, and BYU’s AJ Dybantsa. If it gets any one of those three, the fanbase may start talking about championship banners over the next few years.

On the other hand, the Wizards need to be careful. They can’t sign Young or Davis to long-term extensions before they mesh with the young core, as they’d risk locking themselves into a bad situation. Plus, Davis must prove he can stay healthy, as he’s played 65-plus games in a season just once since 2019.

Giving Young an extension sometime over the next year makes more sense, as he’ll be on an expiring deal if and when he accepts the player option. A contract in the neighborhood of two years with a player option for a third and a $35 million average annual salary could work for both sides, as it gives the 27-year-old security while also giving Washington more time to evaluate how he fits into the puzzle. Down the line, it could either trade him or extend him again.

Young and Davis fill the team’s two biggest needs entering the season, which were a true point guard and center, respectively. The Wizards had neither, as second-year guard Bub Carrington struggled at point and second-year big man Alex Sarr is a natural power forward. The latter player has struggled against elite centers like Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns, who are each around 45 pounds heavier. Putting the 253-pound Davis at center, who is a five-time All-Defensive honoree and three-time NBA blocks leader, will allow Sarr to avoid those mismatches. However, Davis admitted last year that playing exclusively at center for an entire season results in “a lot of wear and tear,” per Mavs Fan For Life’s Landon Thomas.

The immediate mission is to not allow the injured Young or Davis to jeopardize the retention of the team’s top-eight protected draft pick. Young hasn’t played since Dec. 27 due to knee and quad ailments and will be reevaluated after the All-Star break, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Additionally, Davis hasn’t played since Jan. 8 due to ligament damage in his hand but won’t need surgery, per the Associated Press.

Washington must rest them as much as possible to secure a bottom-four finish in the standings, which would guarantee the retention of its pick.

Update: Davis is expected to sit for the rest of the season “to fully get healthy for next year,” per NBA On Prime’s Chris Haynes.

Once it accomplishes that goal, it then must avoid getting locked into bad contracts with either star.

If the Wizards accomplish both missions and Young and Davis lead them to the playoffs next season, then there won’t be much to criticize. But if something goes wrong during that journey, then these moves won’t age well.

The post Wizards 2026 NBA trade deadline grade after Trae Young, Anthony Davis bombshells appeared first on ClutchPoints.

But it appears that his agent, Rich Paul, didn’t know what went down, per Joe Vardon of The Athletic. Instead, he was notified about the trading of Darius Garland from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the LA Clippers for James Harden.

“I’m told Klutch founder Rich Paul wasn’t consulted as the deal for Davis was put together (whereas he was consulted on the trade of Darius Garland to the LA Clippers). This is true. Paul conveyed his message to the Mavericks — do what’s best for the organization, trade Davis or extend him — one month ago.”

Davis, who’s out with a left hand injury, was the second biggest score the Wizards received. In January, the Wizards acquired Trae Young in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks.

Washington is currently 14-36 on the year. Meanwhile, the Mavericks are 19-32. Altogether, Davis completed one full season with the Mavericks. Last February, he was traded to Dallas from the Lakers in exchange for Luka Doncic. A decision that shook up the NBA.

Davis is averaging 20.4 points and 11.1 rebounds per game.

Paul is the founder of Klutch Sports, one of the most prominent sports agencies. He is best known for being LeBron James’s longtime agent and friend.

Some of Paul’s other prominent clients include Davis, Draymond Green, Tyrese Maxey, Zach LaVine, and Lonzo Ball.

In January, speculation was that Paul and Davis were starting to drift apart. However, Paul refuted those rumors.

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No, there was no Luka Doncic-esque trade this season, but 26 total trades were made before this season’s deadline, including 11 former All-Stars being on the move.

Anthony Davis, Jaren Jackson Jr., James Harden, Darius Garland, and Trae Young are among the biggest names who now find themselves in new homes, but several other notable players like Ivica Zubac, Jared McCain, Bennedict Mathurin, Coby White, and Jose Alvarado were traded as well.

Overall, this was a very active trade deadline, but it was a selective one at that for all 30 NBA franchises.

Unlike previous years, where teams look to make additions to immediately help their playoff chances, this trade deadline period almost felt like NBA free agency months before the actual free agency period begins. Teams are now looking ahead to the future, and many front offices are extremely aware of all the tax and apron rules that are thrown at them.

With some teams cutting cap numbers and trying to dip below certain tax marks, others are using the trade deadline as an opportunity to springboard and escalate their success. Just look at the Utah Jazz landing Jackson Jr., the Washington Wizards adding two All-Stars in Davis and Young, and the Indiana Pacers pulling off a stunning move for Zubac.

Before we dive into the clear winners of the trade deadline, there are four teams we want to shine a light on as honorable mentions.

The Pacers and Los Angeles Clippers are basically tied together, as these two teams came together to make the Zubac trade hours before the deadline passed, and they each came out as big winners. Although Tyrese Haliburton won’t be back on the floor until the 2026-27 season begins, the Pacers now have their center of the future, one on a very team-friendly contract, who can help get this team back in contention for the NBA Finals.

Out in Los Angeles, well technically Inglewood, the Clippers finally have a clear path forward in the post-whatever-you-want-to-call-the-Kawhi Leonard-James Harden era. Steve Ballmer’s team now has a decent amount of draft capital, they added two young, dynamic players in Garland and Mathurin, and this team can attack free agency hard over the next couple of years.

Shoutouts are also in order for the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics for what they accomplished at the trade deadline. Both teams took a very analytical approach, achieving their goals, starting with the Knicks finally being able to move Guerschon Yabusele for Jose Alvarado, a player they have been targeting since December.

While the Knicks struggled to find a trade partner for Yabusele and were even denied trying to trade him straight up for Alvarado with the New Orleans Pelicans, Leon Rose and New York’s front office were creative by restructuring his contract to void Yabusele’s second-year player option. This led to the Knicks trading him to the Chicago Bulls for Dalen Terry, a player on an expiring salary, who was then flipped to the Pelicans with two second-round picks for Alvarado.

Chef’s kiss on this trade and the work by the Knicks’ front office.

As for the Celtics, they had been cutting tax dollars since the offseason, and after beginning the summer as a second-apron team, Boston will finish this season under the luxury tax. Most importantly, even though the Celtics traded Anfernee Simons, they got a key center in Nikola Vucevic and did not have to move any of their essential talents in the process.

All four of these teams did a fantastic job of bettering their outlook, both for the immediate and long-term futures, but here are the biggest winners of the 2026 NBA trade deadline.

Wizards, Anthony Davis

The job Will Dawkins and Michael Winger have done completely reinventing the Washington Wizards roster and long-term outlook is remarkable. Just a few seasons ago, this team was living at the bottom of the league standings, and they were the laughing stock of the league.

Now, the Wizards have a plethora of young, athletic players, Trae Young will be their point guard next season, and Anthony Davis will be the perfect mentor for Alex Sarr. Oh, and if you are not aware, the Wizards could end up with the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

It won’t be long until the Wizards are back in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, and this organization’s ability to pinpoint opportunities to buy low on superstar-like talents is why they are one of the biggest winners of the NBA trade deadline this season.

A total of 14 All-Star appearances are arriving to this organization by way of Young and Davis, which will help set the standard for Wizards basketball moving forward. What’s even better is that the Wizards basically got Young and Davis for free.

Although the Wizards valued Corey Kispert’s production, he was the only real asset given up for Young. Then, for Davis, the Wizards only sacrificed expiring contracts, players not in their rotation, and two first-round picks that are not valuable to them whatsoever.

Washington surrendered the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2026 first-round pick, which will likely be the 30th overall selection, and then they traded the Golden State Warriors’ 2030 first-round pick that is protected 1-20. Basically, they gave up two picks of little value for one of the NBA’s top 75 players of all time.

That’s a pretty good deal if you ask me.

This NBA trade deadline presented no risk to the Wizards, and they can move forward with two stars happy to be with a new franchise and can clear the air on their respective careers.

At the cost of nickels and pennies, the Wizards came away with a lot of value at the trade deadline.

Jon Horst and the Bucks

Everyone who thought Giannis Antetokounmpo would be traded was bamboozled. The Milwaukee Bucks never seemed to have any intention of trading Giannis at this deadline, and while they did listen to offers coming their way, teams were left knowing Antetokounmpo truly wasn’t available.

Although Jon Horst and the Bucks still face an uphill slope attempting to reinvent this roster and build a championship contender around Giannis, the key takeaway for them from the NBA trade deadline is that Giannis is still on the team and has not ever requested a trade.

The biggest takeaway from the deadline for the Bucks is that they have gathered a lot of intel from rival teams.

Giannis was drawing significant interest from teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, and Miami Heat before the deadline, and now the Bucks can take all this information about what they were being offered and what those teams thought about their own assets into the offseason.

Whether or not the Bucks ever truly look to trade Giannis will depend on their ability to build this roster into something special and him actually requesting a trade. This summer, the Bucks will be aggressive in their pursuit of talent, and they could retain their first-round pick to add a young, dynamic player at the top of the draft.

As long as Giannis is in a Bucks uniform, this organization will have a chance to build something special.

James Harden

James Harden is now on his fifth team in the last six seasons after being traded from the Clippers to the Cavs. Will this be Harden’s final stop before retirement?

Nobody really knows, but the main reason why he’s happy going to Cleveland is that he can opt out of his contract in the offseason and get a new two-year deal at the price he wants. Not to mention, he goes from a Clippers team that wasn’t going anywhere in the West to joining Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley on a Cavs team with serious title aspirations.

Cleveland was very busy at the trade deadline, cutting some costs and adding talent around their stars, which sets this team up to pursue LeBron James and other superstars in the offseason, should they choose to do so. Perhaps they could even get in the mix for Giannis should the Bucks “entertain” trade offers for him again.

Although Harden is not known for his defense, his offensive skills will elevate the Cavs more than Garland could. He will also take a lot of pressure off Mitchell to have to do everything for this offense, which should help this team remain off the injury report heading into the postseason.

Harden finds himself in a position to contend for a championship at the end of his career, which is his ultimate goal.

Anyone who traded with the Bulls

What are the Chicago Bulls doing? It seems like the Bulls keep trading their players well past their value expires, and as a result, this team is left gathering scraps for really good players.

Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Kevin Huerter, Dalen Terry, and Julian Phillips were all moved by the Bulls at the deadline. All Chicago got back was nine second-round picks, extra cash, and too many guards who can’t all play together.

Anfernee Simons, Jaden Ivey, Collin Sexton, and Rob Dillingham are all good players, but how can the Bulls possibly think they can fit in alongside Josh Giddey and Tre Jones? Half of the players on this roster are guards, and the Bulls got ZERO first-round picks for any of their players.

On the other side of things, every team that traded with the Bulls got better.

The Celtics are real title threats after adding a former All-Star in Vucevic at center. The Detroit Pistons have furthered their championship aspirations with a big sharpshooter in Huerter. The Timberwolves, who were in dire need of backcourt help, get a dynamic, athletic two-way guard in Dosunmu. And then the Charlotte Hornets added arguably Chicago’s best scorer, White, for future second-round picks that will be used on kids who are either currently freshmen in high school or in eighth grade.

Every single team that made a trade with the Bulls came away with exactly what they wanted, and they did so by sacrificing little value.

The Bulls may have a lot of cap space in the summer, but there’s no denying that they have no clear path in front of them to be competitive anytime soon.

Sam Presti… Again

Once again, the rich are richer after the NBA trade deadline. Nobody ever knows what the Oklahoma City Thunder have planned since Sam Presti moves in silence and in the shadows, yet they always come away from everything they do as major winners.

This was true in their championship run last year, it was true during the 2025 NBA Draft, and now it’s true after the trade deadline.

The Thunder traded Ousmane Dieng, four second-round picks, and a 2026 first-round pick for Jared McCain from the Philadelphia 76ers, a player who was in contention for Rookie of the Year last season before he suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Second-round picks are irrelevant to Presti, especially since the Thunder are tied for the most first-round picks in the league over the next several years, and the 2026 pick that was sent to Philadelphia was the Houston Rockets’ pick. If the draft were today, that pick would be the 23rd overall selection, so the Thunder basically gave up little to no value for a guy who can immediately contribute to their championship goals.

Now that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is out indefinitely with an abdominal injury, McCain will receive clear playing time for the defending champions.

Somehow, some way, every team in the league keeps getting fleeced by Presti and his magic.

The post 2026 NBA trade deadline: Wizards, Bucks, James Harden headline biggest winners appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Nonetheless, the mood among Wizards fans is generally good, especially when the team is already performing much better even with Trae Young and Anthony Davis yet to suit up after Washington brought them in via blockbuster trades prior to the deadline.

Young and Davis are expected to take this nascent Wizards core to the next level, and it seems like they’re already bonding off the court — with the former even using a throwback picture to welcome his newest star teammate.

Inevitable !

Welcome to DC! pic.twitter.com/LOt8j87t6n

— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) February 6, 2026

This photo was taken way before Young even made it to the league in 2018. And now, all these years later, he’s teaming up with an NBA champion to try and take a moribund franchise like the Wizards out of the cellar.

Wizards flip assets, stumble upon two perennial All-Stars via trade

No matter how one may slice it, the Wizards emerged as one of the biggest winners of the 2026 NBA trade deadline. Acquiring Young for the low, low price of CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert was always going to be worth it. And then to top it off by acquiring Davis for a package that did not even include any of their best young prospects or any of their own future firsts?

No one should be surprised if the Wizards end up being the most improved team in the NBA next year, health permitting.

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On Thursday night, the Wizards took down the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons, 126-117, behind an impressive display from their young players off the bench — with Will Riley and Sharife Cooper leading the way. Washington even held their best active players to a limited workload and yet they still came out on top despite a 30-8-8 night from Cade Cunningham.

There might be something brewing in the nation’s capital, and they are well-positioned to compete next season especially after bringing in Trae Young and Anthony Davis at such bargain prices. The Wizards are on a fast upward trajectory, and fans could not be any happier on social media.

“Resting the young talent for the younger talent. Brian Keefe actively trying to lose this game and the Wizards somehow get the dub,” X user @DoublePoint_s wrote.

“As a wizards fan I’m very curious to see the roles the young guys are going to play next year. but other than that I’m super [excited] because we have been in hell for a long time,” @GIJ009 added.

“wizards already showing the pistons who the top of da east belongs to next year fairs,” @termyami furthered.

Wizards about to have a very stacked roster

Health permitting, the Wizards are going to be a playoff team next year. Getting at least 60 games from Davis would be crucial, however, although that should not be asking for much especially when he’ll be paired with a talented big man in the frontcourt in Alex Sarr.

Young also remains one of the best playmakers in the NBA, freeing up the likes of Kyshawn George and Tre Johnson to focus on the other aspects of the game while letting their floor general take care of business.

The post Fans erupt with reactions after Wizards’ stunning Pistons upset appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Last month, Washington acquired Trae Young, a proven All-Star with significant questions about his offensive play style and defensive effort, from the Atlanta Hawks for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. And then this week, the Wizards traded for Anthony Davis, the Dallas Mavericks’ oft-injured big man, in a deal that sent multiple players, two first-round draft picks, and three second-round picks to Dallas.

The trades, because they both featured talented albeit flawed players, are being compared to each other, but ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst said there is one big difference.

“It’s absolutely not [the same trade],” Windhorst said on ‘The Hoop Collective’ in response to Tim Bontemps. “We know that Trae Young has a contract [agreement with the Wizards]. I wouldn’t have done that. And we don’t know that about Anthony Davis. So if he gets a contract extension, then I’ll reevaluate.

“They didn’t agree to an extension on this trade. … I’m fairly certain they did not agree to an extension with him, whereas the Trae Young thing, they gave him the old winky-wink.”

While the two sides cannot officially sign a contract extension with the terms Young would likely desire until the offseason, Windhorst’s assessment is likely correct in that Washington, when negotiating its trade for the guard, promised to sign him to a significant deal in the offseason. Young, who is in the fourth season of the five-year, $215 million contract he signed with the Hawks, has a $49 million player option he can exercise or decline in the summer.

As for Davis, who is five years older than Young, he is in the first season of a three-year, $175.4 million extension he signed back in 2023, when he was with the Los Angeles Lakers. Last February, the Mavericks acquired him in the infamous Luka Doncic trade, but he was limited to just 29 games due to injury, a common occurrence for Davis.

Davis can become an unrestricted free agent in 2027, although it is unclear if he, at 34 and with a significant injury history, would turn down a $62.8 million player option.

If Young and Davis are able to stay healthy and, importantly, at the same time, the Wizards could prove to be a formidable team in the Eastern Conference. Washington, which already has numerous young, promising players, could certainly benefit from the two-way ability of Davis, as well as the offensive playmaking for which Young became known.

The Wizards (13-36) are set to play the East’s top team, the Detroit Pistons, tonight on the road.

The post Brian Windhorst details key difference in Wizards’ Anthony Davis, Trae Young trades appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Knicks star center Karl-Anthony Towns got the best of Sarr, totaling 19 points (7-16 FG, 1-4 3-point) with 15 rebounds, three assists, and two steals over 26 minutes. Meanwhile, Sarr logged 11 points (4-11 FG, 1-3 3-point), nine rebounds, three assists, and one steal across 25 minutes.

The 248-pound Towns outmuscled the 205-pound Sarr all night, an effort highlighted by an and-one dunk over him in the second quarter.

KAT WITH THE AND-ONE SLAM pic.twitter.com/AAMUiJUyN7

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) February 4, 2026

Struggling against stronger big men is nothing new for Sarr. For example, the 2024 No. 2 overall pick was dominated in the paint by the 258-pound Rudy Gobert in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 141-115 win over the Wizards on Jan. 4. The four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year notched 18 points (8-10 FG), 14 rebounds, and four blocks over 29 minutes, while Sarr had seven points (3-10 FG, 1-2 3-point), three rebounds, four assists, and one steal across 26 minutes. Gobert told ClutchPoints postgame that Sarr has “all the talent and skills,” but should “keep working on [his] body, keep getting stronger.”

On the bright side, it is typical for young and rebuilding teams to struggle, as New York head coach Mike Brown said postgame on Tuesday.

Knicks head coach Mike Brown was frank in the opening statement of his postgame presser, saying “obviously, Washington’s a young team, and the direction they’re going in is what most young teams do at this point in the year.”

Knicks beat the Wizards 132-101 tonight. pic.twitter.com/TqEmTmKTuO

— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) February 4, 2026

One of the many reasons that Washington is tied for the fourth-worst record in the NBA at 13-36 entering Thursday’s road matchup with the Detroit Pistons is that it hasn’t had a true center to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Towns and Gobert. Sarr is a natural power forward who’s been playing center for the Wizards due to their lack of depth at the position.

Of course, that was by design. Washington intentionally went into the season without a true point guard or center in order to lose the most games possible, which will maximize its odds in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery. Its lottery pick this summer is also top-eight protected, meaning that it must finish no higher than fourth-worst in the regular season standings to guarantee the retention of it.

The Knicks currently own the pick, but it will convert into two second-rounders once the Wizards inevitably finish with a bottom-four record. Washington will then have a top-eight pick in a draft class headlined by superstar prospects Darryn Peterson (Kansas), Cameron Boozer (Duke), and AJ Dybantsa (BYU).

Acquiring star point guard Trae Young (quad, knee) from the Atlanta Hawks in January gave it a head start on next season, when it wants to be competitive. Ditto for the 253-pound Davis, a five-time All-Defensive honoree and one of the strongest players in basketball. The latter player can guard the Towns and Goberts of the world while Sarr mans the power forward position next year.

Both Young and Davis likely won’t play more than a handful of games this season to ensure that the Wizards keep their pick, but they’re both All-NBA talents at what were previously positions of need for the team.

Wizards tried to get Karl-Anthony Towns before Anthony Davis

Davis wasn’t the only big man that Washington had its eye on ahead of Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline. The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer reported on Wednesday that the front office reached out to New York about acquiring Towns with the same framework that it later landed Davis with. The Knicks declined, just like the Sacramento Kings did when the Wizards offered Khris Middleton and a pick for center Domantas Sabonis, per ESPN’s Marc Spears.

Based on what Washington gave up to get Davis, it makes sense why both the Knicks and Kings held on to their big men. It sent Dallas two first-round picks, three seconds, three expiring contracts including Middleton, and second-year guard AJ Johnson. But the two firsts are the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2026 selection, which will likely be No. 30 overall, and the Golden State Warriors’ top-20 protected 2030 selection.

While none of those are premium assets, the value for the Mavericks was getting Davis’ contract off their books, which puts them below the luxury tax line both this season and next season. The 32-year-old has a cap hit of $54.1 million this year and $58.4 million next year before a $62.7 million player option for the 2027-28 campaign.

That is a steep price for a player who has played 65-plus regular-season games only once since the New Orleans Pelicans traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019. However, Davis will help elevate the Wizards into a competitive team when he does play next season, and that’s worth the risk for a franchise that hasn’t had a winning campaign since 2017-18.

The post How Knicks blowout showed Wizards’ need for Anthony Davis appeared first on ClutchPoints.

*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)*

Cade Cunningham injury status vs. Wizards

Given that Cade Cunningham is questionable on the injury report, it’s difficult to predict whether he’ll be suiting up against the Wizards. Cunningham has been a fixture on the injury report these days, but he hasn’t missed any games. He finished with 29 points, 10 assists, and one steal in a 124-121 win against the Nuggets.

Considering Cunningham’s past injuries, the Pistons could elect to sit him out of facing the lowly Wizards. Against a team with one of the worst records in the NBA, and a laundry list of injuries, the Pistons could pull off a win without Cunningham in uniform. Perhaps it’s a good time to give the All-Star guard the night off.

The Pistons have won nine of their last 11 games, including impressive victories over some of the NBA’s elite teams, such as the Nuggets, and a 104-103 win against the Celtics.

However, the question is: Is Cade Cunningham playing tonight vs. the Wizards? The answer is probably not.

Pistons injury report

Cade Cunningham — Questionable — Right wrist; injury management

Tobias Harris — Questionable — Left hip soreness

Kevin Huerter — Questionable — Trade pending

Dario Saric — Out — Trade pending

Wizards injury report

Marvin Bagley III — Out — Not with the team

Malaki Branham — Out — Not with the team

AJ Johnson — Out — Not with the team

Tre Johnson — Out — Left ankle sprain

Khris Middleton — Out — Not with the team

Cam Whitmore — Out — Right shoulder; deep vein thrombosis

Trae Young — Out — Right knee; MCL

The post Is Cade Cunningham playing tonight? Pistons vs. Wizards injury report appeared first on ClutchPoints.

On Wednesday, the Mavericks sent Davis to the Washington Wizards, along with D’Angelo Russell, Jaden Hardy, and Dante Exum in exchange for Khris Middleton, Marvin Bagley III, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, and five future draft picks.

It officially erased the era of former general manager Nico Harrison, who acquired Davis from the Los Angeles Lakers at last year’s trade deadline by shockingly trading Luka Doncic.

Harrison was castigated for the head-scratching move, but he was adamant that it was the right one. Now, with Davis being shipped to the Wizards after barely suiting up for the Mavericks, Harrison’s old quote has resurfaced.

“Nico Harrison about this time last year after the Anthony Davis-Luka Doncic trade: ‘Time will tell if I’m right.’ Time has indeed told,” wrote ClutchPoints’ Joey Mistretta on X.

The 32-year-old Davis only played 29 games for Dallas, as he has been hampered by injuries anew. He is currently out for several months due to a hand injury. He averaged 20.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.8 blocks in his short stint with the Mavericks.

Harrison claimed that the 10-time All-Star would be the foundation of the Mavericks, adding that he traded the 26-year-old Doncic due to his poor conditioning.

Harrison was fired in November amid a growing clamor from fans. Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont, who approved the Doncic-Davis swap, apologized to fans, stressing the need to “return winning basketball to Dallas.”

The post Nico Harrison’s ‘time will tell if I’m right’ quote resurfaces after Mavericks trade Anthony Davis to Wizards trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The full details are below, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Wizards get:

• F Anthony Davis
• G Jaden Hardy
• G D’Angelo Russell
• G Dante Exum

Mavericks get:

• F Khris Middleton
• G AJ Johnson
• G Malaki Branham
• C Marvin Bagley III
• 2026 first-round pick (OKC)
• 2030 top-20 protected first-round pick (GSW)
• 2026 second-round pick (PHX)
• 2027 second-round pick (CHI)
• 2029 second-round pick (HOU)

This trade gives the Wizards another star without giving up any key assets after acquiring Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks in January. Like Young (quad, knee), Davis (finger) is injured, so Washington doesn’t have to worry about winning too many games to keep its top-eight protected lottery pick this summer. This is another move for next season.

Davis sustained ligament damage in his left hand when defending Utah Jazz big man Lauri Markkanen on Jan. 8, per Charania. Days later, the Mavericks announced that the 10-time All-Star was expected to heal in approximately six weeks.

Meanwhile, Young hasn’t played since his final appearance with the Hawks on Dec. 27, and he will be reevaluated after the All-Star break, per Charania. Washington is currently tied with the Brooklyn Nets for the fourth-worst record in the NBA at 13-36, and it must finish no higher than fourth-worst in the standings to guarantee the retention of its lottery pick.

Letting both Young and Davis rest for as long as possible is the best way to make sure that happens. The 2026 draft class, headlined by superstar prospects Darryn Peterson (Kansas), Cameron Boozer (Duke), and AJ Dybantsa (BYU), is too talented to risk losing that pick.

Conversely, giving up non-lottery picks is hardly a tragedy for the Wizards at this point in their rebuild. They already have a deep young core with second-year big man Alex Sarr, second-year wing Kyshawn George, rookie guard Tre Johnson, third-year guard Bilal Coulibaly, second-year guard Bub Carrington, and rookie wing Will Riley. Adding another lottery pick to that group this summer is a strong enough foundation to build on without picking another prospect No. 30 overall, which is likely where the Oklahoma City Thunder’s selection will fall.

That’s why flipping that pick along with other expendable assets for the oft-injured Davis, who is one of the NBA’s best players when healthy, was a no-brainer. The 32-year-old is scheduled to make $58.4 million next season before a $62.7 million player option in 2027, so Washington can get him off the books by 2028 at worst if he can’t stay on the court.

Assuming Young accepts his $49 million player option this summer and/or the Wizards re-sign him, they could have a rotation consisting of him, Davis, the aforementioned young core, and whoever it drafts in the lottery. On paper, that’s more than enough talent to be an Eastern Conference Play-In Team, if not better. Reaching that level would be a significant jump for an organization that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2021.

Wizards trade grade: A

Sarr’s sophomore leap has been one of Washington’s most exciting storylines this season, as he ranks second in the NBA only to San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama with 2.1 blocks per game while averaging 17.4 points on 49.6 percent shooting (33.3 percent 3-point) with 7.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists over 28.5 minutes. However, the seven-foot, 205-pounder would fit better as a power forward long-term rather than at center, where he’s primarily played this year.

Sarr has struggled against stronger big men like Minnesota Timberwolves veteran Rudy Gobert and New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns, so giving the 253-pound Davis those matchups instead will take stress off him. Sarr is a nimble rim-protector who can switch on defense while also finding open teammates and finishing plays offensively, so he has plenty of value without guarding players who are tens of pounds heavier than him.

Davis is a five-time All-Defensive honoree and three-time NBA blocks leader, so he’s well-equipped to be the Wizards’ center. The former Kentucky Wildcat is also a beast offensively and on the boards, as he owns career averages of 24 points on 52.2 percent shooting (29.5 percent 3-point) with 10.7 rebounds. This season, he’s averaging 20.4 points on 50.6 percent shooting (27 percent 3-point) with 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.1 steals over 31.3 minutes (20 games).

Plus, Young facilitating the offense will open up looks at the rim for both Sarr and Davis, as he led the NBA with 11.6 assists per game last season and averages 9.8 for his career. It’s hard to criticize Washington for assembling this lineup without giving up any important assets.

The organization sent Dallas three expiring contracts as well as 2024 first-round pick AJ Johnson, who’s averaging just 8.6 minutes this season. It acquired him and Middleton from the Milwaukee Bucks in last year’s Kyle Kuzma trade, and Davis is the only star out of all of those players. That means that the team turned Kuzma, who’s averaging 13.2 points on 49 percent shooting (32.8 percent 3-point) with 4.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists over 26.8 minutes for the Bucks this year, into Davis.

This resembles how the Wizards turned Bradley Beal’s supermax deal that featured a full no-trade clause into Young through a series of moves since general manager Will Dawkins and team president Michael Winger took office in 2023. The fanbase couldn’t have asked for better asset management, as they didn’t give up a lottery pick or a young foundational player in any of the deals leading to Young and Davis.

The only downside is losing cap space, which decreases financial flexibility moving forward. Washington was scheduled to have clear books this offseason before getting Young, as veteran guard Corey Kispert would have been its only player on a non-rookie fully guaranteed contract. But it costs money to get elite talent, which both Young and Davis provide.

Even if neither star pans out in the nation’s capital, the Wizards will have a deep young core under contract for multiple years to keep them afloat. There’s little chance they’ll have to start a full rebuild again anytime soon, which is miraculous for a fanbase that hasn’t experienced a conference finals berth since 1979.

The post Wizards trade grade for Anthony Davis blockbuster with Mavericks appeared first on ClutchPoints.

During a recent episode of ‘The Arena,’ Gilbert Arenas gave his thoughts on what the trades for Anthony Davis and Trae Young mean for the Wizards.

“They are an A plus right now on trades. You got Trae Young and Anthony Davis, you keep your draft pick, and you have [Alex] Sarr, and you have Tre [Johnson],” Arenas said. “You have a whole bunch of young boys over there with your veterans, and you’re going to get a top-10 pick.”

The Wizards were the team that got trade season started when they acquired Young from the Atlanta Hawks. They did not have to give up any draft capital, only CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. In the trade with the Dallas Mavericks for Davis, they also added D’Angelo Russel, Dante Exum and Jaden Hardy in exchange for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malachi Branham, Marvin Bagley III and multiple draft picks.

Two of the picks the Wizards sent to the Mavericks were first rounders, one from the Oklahoma City Thunder this year, and one from the Golden State Warriors in 2030. As Arenas mentioned, the big win was the Wizards being able to add two star talents and not having to give up their own first round pick this season which is sure to be in the lottery.

Both Davis and Young are currently sidelined due to injury. The Wizards are now set to be a factor in the East as soon as next season amid their mix of veterans and young players.

The post Gilbert Arenas gives Wizards A+ after Anthony Davis, Trae Young trades appeared first on ClutchPoints.

ESPN’s Tim MacMahon outlined the Wizards’ rationale shortly after the trade was finalized, pointing to Washington’s desire to accelerate its timeline without dismantling its developmental foundation.

“Wizards’ thought process on AD trade: With intent to be competitive next season, Washington added a 10-time All-Star big to pair with Trae Young without giving up homegrown young talent or premium picks,” MacMahon wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Washington acquired Davis along with Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum. In return, the Mavericks received Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round picks and three second-round selections. The move reshapes both rosters, but for the Wizards, it represents a decisive step toward contention rather than a prolonged rebuild.

Davis, 32, joins Washington in his first full season with Dallas still ongoing. He has been limited by injuries, appearing in just 20 games and is currently sidelined with a ligament injury in his hand. When available, Davis has averaged 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 50.6 percent from the field and 27.5 percent from three-point range in 30.4 minutes per contest. Despite the limited availability, Washington viewed Davis’ two-way impact and playoff experience as central to its long-term vision.

Anthony Davis–Trae Young pairing anchors Wizards’ long-term vision

The acquisition follows another major move earlier in the season. In January, the Wizards traded for Trae Young in a deal with the Atlanta Hawks that sent CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert out of Washington. Pairing Young with Davis gives the Wizards a high-level pick-and-roll foundation and a clear offensive-defensive balance around which to build.

Washington’s front office emphasized financial and asset flexibility in completing the deal. The Wizards were able to acquire Davis without parting with homegrown young talent or premium draft capital, preserving long-term flexibility while reshaping the roster around established stars.

For the remainder of the season, Washington’s focus remains largely evaluative. The Wizards enter play at 13-36, sitting 14th in the Eastern Conference standings. While postseason contention is unlikely, the organization expects the remainder of the schedule to serve as a bridge toward a more competitive 2026 campaign, aided by an upcoming lottery selection.

Washington opens a two-game road trip Thursday night against the Detroit Pistons (37-12) at 7:00 p.m. ET as the franchise turns its attention toward next season with a dramatically altered outlook.

The post Why Wizards made Anthony Davis trade with Mavericks appeared first on ClutchPoints.

There are definitely some mixed reactions to the move, as some are confused, while others can’t believe they got more in return for Davis than Doncic.

“So you’re telling me the Dallas Mavericks got more 1sts for Anthony Davis than they did for Luka Dončić?” one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“The Mavs traded Luka Doncic and received Anthony Davis as the centerpiece. Less than a year later AD is on another team, and played in 29 games for the Mavs. Someone please do a wellness check on Mav fans. Just surreal,” another user wrote.

Some Mavs fans are taking the trade for what it is, and know that means it’s time to build around Cooper Flagg.

“Nothing will ever replace Luka. This experiment failed tremendously. I was hoping it would work out but it didn’t. Not even close. Dark times as a Mavs fan but I’m just so glad it’s over. Time to move on,” one user wrote.

“Man listen… if you’re not a mavericks fan, stay out of this trade discussion. It’s really deeper than what’s mentioned on paper. We needed the flexibility more than anything to build around Flagg. Trading AD gives us that,” another user wrote.

This all leads back to the Doncic trade and how it was not a good idea to trade a top-tier talent like him out of the blue. At this point, it looks like the Mavericks are trying to go in with a clean slate, and it makes sense after the past year that they’ve had.

The post Mavericks fans have no shortage of reactions to Anthony Davis Wizards trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Max Christie, Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley, 3 first-round picks, and 3 second-round picks. The Mavericks have decided that the first-round picks will be the priority, and the hope is that those picks can help rebuild the franchise.

That core of players is not worth a generational player. Khris Middleton is averaging 10.3 points per game, the lowest since his rookie season.

Last year, GM Nico Harrison said, “Time will tell if I am right,” after the Luka/AD trade. Well, one year later, the Mavericks are a bad team that got lucky by getting the No. 1 pick and drafting Cooper Flagg. This may have been why Harrison was fired. The Mavs turned Luka into three first-round picks that could be valuable; however, any pick after pick 20 is a long shot to become a star, historically.

The Mavs acquired one first-round pick in 2029 in the Luka/AD trade. Dallas will receive two first-round picks from the Wizards for AD Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum. The first-round picks are from the Thunder and Warriors, so the picks likely won’t be that great when it is there turn to select.

The NBA Trade Deadline is tomorrow. Keep your notifications on, as many more trades will happen.

The post Mavericks’ updated Luka Doncic trade return after Anthony Davis Wizards deal appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“In a time where it’s easy to forget… sometimes you just gotta remind em,” Young posted on IG. The post sent Wizards Twitter into a frenzy, especially coming on the heels of the recent Jaren Jackson Jr. trade to the Utah Jazz.

Analysts are already labeling Washington’s acquisition of Young as “highway robbery,” given the massive haul Memphis demanded for their star big man compared to the package of CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert that Washington sent to Atlanta.

While the Wizards (13-35) continue to focus on their rebuild, Young’s arrival marks a shift in energy. He hasn’t played since the January 7 trade due to a right quad contusion and a sprained knee, and with an expected return date set for late February after the All-Star break, the focus has shifted toward a massive 2026-27 revenge tour.

Before the injury sidelined him, Young was putting up solid individual numbers despite a turbulent final stretch in Atlanta, averaging 19.3 points and 8.9 assists through his first 10 games of the season.

The Wizards are currently sitting 14th in the Eastern Conference, but the “Trae Young Era” is less about the current standings and more about the future. With a core of lottery picks like Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George, Young has the young, athletic weapons he lacked during his final days with the Hawks. Sarr, in particular, is averaging 17.6 points per game and is poised to become the ultimate pick-and-roll partner for the league’s former assist leader.

Trae is clearly coming for blood next year. The rest of the league has been warned; the “Joker” of the East is just waiting for the lights to get bright again.

The post Wizards’ Trae Young has already started planting seeds of revenge season appeared first on ClutchPoints.

After Sunday’s 116-112 victory over the Sacramento Kings, Riley revealed how veterans Khris Middleton and Anthony Gill have helped him grow in his rookie season.

I asked Will Riley what advice veterans like Khris Middleton and Anthony Gill have given him recently that’s helped his game (thread):

“Routine and the way you carry yourself. Khris has a very good routine, comes very early. He’s done the same routine throughout…” pic.twitter.com/qaipHqggCN

— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) February 2, 2026

“Routine and the way you carry yourself. Khris has a very good routine, comes very early,” the 19-year-old said. “He’s done the same routine throughout his whole career. I feel like building a routine, and character from AG. He’s instilled a lot of great character into me. How you treat people, how you talk to people. He’s a very important person to have in my life.”

Middleton and Gill are the only two players left on Washington who are over 30 years old, and Middleton’s days in the nation’s capital may be numbered. The 34-year-old is a buyout candidate with Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline coming up, per The Athletic.

The Wizards acquired Middleton from the Milwaukee Bucks in last year’s Kyle Kuzma trade, a deal that also landed them Johnson. Middleton was a salary dump, as he’s a past-his-prime hooper who had a cap hit of $31 million last season and is playing on a $33.2 million player option this season. Even though his contract expires this summer, it’s still a hard one to trade in today’s apron era when teams are cash-strapped. His salary doesn’t match his production, as he’s averaging 10.3 points on 43.3 percent shooting (32.6 percent 3-point) with four rebounds and 3.3 assists over 24.4 minutes. Conversely, Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro is making $31 million and averages 21.9 points on 49.7 percent shooting (35.8 percent 3-point) with 4.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists over 31.7 minutes.

That’s why Washington will likely buy Middleton out instead of trading him if he doesn’t finish the season with the team.

Correction: A previous version of this article said the Wizards will likely buy Middleton out, according to the Athletic. That was incorrect wording, as he’s a buyout candidate, meaning that a buyout is possible but not necessarily “likely.”

The former NBA champion would make more sense as a bench player on a contending team at this point in his career, and letting him go would free up more minutes for young Wizards players. On Jan. 22, team president Michael Winger specifically identified Riley and Johnson as players the organization wants to evaluate more moving forward, via Monumental Sports Network.

Sunday’s game was productive from that perspective. Riley scored a career-high 18 points (6-15 FG, 4-8 3-point) with six rebounds, six assists (career-high), one steal, and just one turnover across 30 minutes, while Johnson notched a season-high 17 points (7-13 FG, 2-5 3-point) as well as four assists, one rebound, and one steal over 27 minutes. However, the second-year guard also logged seven turnovers.

Washington closed the game out with a bench lineup of Riley, Johnson, Gill, guard Sharife Cooper, and big man Skal Labissiere, and beat a Kings lineup in crunch time that featured multi-time All-Stars DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. That entire Wizards group other than Gill has played extensively together for the Capital City Go-Go (Wizards’ G League affiliate) this season.

Playing that lineup instead of the starters gave Washington the best chance to lose, as that would’ve been the best outcome for its draft lottery odds. Now that it won anyway, it’s tied with the Brooklyn Nets (13-35) for the fourth-worst record in the NBA, while the Kings (12-39) are the worst. The Wizards must finish no higher than fourth-worst in the league standings this season to guarantee the retention of their top-eight protected pick.

On the bright side, there’s plenty of time to lose more games and secure that pick before the regular season ends in April. Plus, Riley showed his potential by scoring 12 points in the fourth quarter of a close contest. That’s significant for a player who had just three outings with 12-plus points in January.

Additionally, Riley’s comments about Middleton and Gill show why the Wizards have kept multiple 30-plus-year-olds on the roster since last season despite their primary mission being young player development. Experience leads to wisdom, and the veterans share that wisdom with the young guys. Middleton’s routine and Gill’s character might not be the primary reasons why Riley had the best game of his career on Sunday, but those qualities are essential for long-term success in the league.

AJ Johnson gets 100 percent real about season-best performance

Riley is averaging 14.9 minutes across 40 games this season, but Johnson was in even more dire need of extended playing time entering Sunday. The 21-year-old is averaging just 7.9 minutes across 24 NBA appearances, which isn’t ideal for a 2024 first-round pick.

While Johnson showed off his primary skill of pressuring the rim, he also kicked out to open shooters and made a couple of threes himself. The California native opened up postgame about not only sealing the win alongside his Go-Go teammates, but doing so against established NBA talent like LaVine and DeRozan.

I asked AJ Johnson how it felt to not only close out the win with several G League teammates, but to do it against established vets like DeMar DeRozan and Zach Lavine:

“It definitely feels good going out there and playing against great players…Competing…It’s a blessing…” pic.twitter.com/59frTVH5g3

— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) February 2, 2026

“It definitely feels good going out there and playing against great players…Competing…It’s a blessing,” he said.

If Johnson keeps getting rotational minutes and performs well moving forward, especially against playoff-caliber teams, he’ll give the Washington brass something to think about as it decides who to keep long-term.

Up next for the Wizards is a home date with the New York Knicks on Tuesday night.

The post Wizards’ Will Riley reveals key advice from Khris Middleton after win vs. Kings appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Luka Doncic’s advice for young NBA players postgame:

“I’m not a good advice guy…But obviously you have to work very hard to get here. It’s not gonna be easy, alot of people are going to stay in your way. But if you want this, you gotta enjoy it and focus really hard.” pic.twitter.com/SOvsFOiq8P

— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) January 31, 2026

“I’m not a good advice guy…But obviously you have to work very hard to get here,” he said. “It’s not gonna be easy, a lot of people are going to stay in your way. But if you want this, you gotta enjoy it and focus really hard.”

Washington has no shortage of work ethic, which is why it’s sending three players to the Rising Stars Challenge for the second straight year. Additionally, the team had won two straight games and had been in six consecutive contests decided by 10 points or less before Friday’s beatdown, which is a 180-degree difference from its quality of play during its 1-15 stretch to start the season.

But the Lakers loss was a humbling reminder of how far the Wizards still are from title contention. As much work as they’ve put in over this rebuild, there’s still oceans of room for growth.

Los Angeles is sixth in the Western Conference at 29-18 entering Sunday night’s matchup with the New York Knicks, just three games behind the Denver Nuggets for the second seed. It got bounced by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs last season, but is set up for success moving forward after trading for Doncic last year.

Washington won’t reach elite status until it gets a First-Team All-NBA talent like the native Slovenian, who recorded a 25-point triple-double in the first half of Friday’s blowout. He’s the only player since the start of the play-by-play era (1996-97) to do so, which he also accomplished against the Utah Jazz in 2023, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

Luckily for the Wizards, the 2026 draft class has three players who have projected All-NBA ceilings: Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, Duke’s Cameron Boozer, and BYU’s AJ Dybantsa. Peterson and Dybantsa faced off on Saturday in Lawrence, Kansas, a game that Washington sent three reps to, per ESPN. Peterson, who played just 20 minutes due to cramping, tallied 18 points (6-8 FG, 3-5 3-point) with three rebounds, three assists, and one steal in the No. 14 Jayhawks’ 90-82 win, while Dybantsa had 17 points (6-12 FG, 2-4 3-point) with one rebound and one assist over 34 minutes.

Peterson’s health is a concern, as he’s played 11 of 21 games and has logged 30-plus minutes just four times, but his performance on Saturday was a briefer version of what Doncic did to Washington the previous day.

Darryn Peterson was HOOPIN’ in the first half vs. No. 13 BYU

18 PTS
6-7 FG
3 STL pic.twitter.com/nQ3GvkHFpP

— ESPN (@espn) January 31, 2026

The stats were different, but both players were unstoppable and operated at a higher level than everyone else on the court. The Wizards need someone who can do that consistently, although trading for former Third-Team All-NBA honoree Trae Young in January was a step in the right direction.

The 27-year-old is their first star since team president Michael Winger and general manager Will Dawkins took over in 2023, but he’s not a lock to stick around long-term given his $49 million player option for next season. Landing a top-three pick in the NBA Draft Lottery on May 10 would be a more surefire way to get superstar talent in the building for years to come, but the system only guarantees the league’s worst team receiving a top-five selection. No matter how many games Washington loses this season, the pick it draws will be decided by luck.

If the Wizards fall outside the top three, they’ll still add another talented prospect like UNC’s Caleb Wilson or Houston’s Kingston Flemings to their young core. However, they’d likely have to add another veteran star through trade or free agency to reach the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference anytime soon.

Alex Sarr highlights Wizards’ unsung defensive hero on John Wall Night

Washington honored former point guard John Wall with “John Wall Celebration Night” on Thursday, an event designed to give flowers to the franchise’s most iconic player of the 21st century thus far. The organization distributed Wall bobbleheads to fans, played Wall highlights on the Jumbotron during breaks in its game against the Milwaukee Bucks, and allowed him to give a halftime speech.

The five-time All-Star ended the speech by saying “I never thought this was possible…This is my city, this is still my house. I love y’all, and thank y’all for tonight.” The team hasn’t had a winning season since he logged 41 games in the 2017-18 campaign, so Capital One Arena is his “house” until further notice. However, the Wizards must strive to reach even greater heights, as they haven’t made the Eastern Conference Finals since 1979.

They could reach that series and beyond one day if they continuously play defense as they did against the Bucks in their 109-99 win, as they held Milwaukee to just 26 percent shooting from deep on 38 attempts. The Bucks were without superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf), but this effort was no fluke. Washington also held the Portland Trail Blazers to 39 percent shooting from the field in Tuesday’s 115-111 win, a game that second-round rookie Jamir Watkins closed out defensively.

Sarr spoke about Watkins’ impact after the Bucks game.

I asked Alex Sarr the effect that Jamir Watkins’ defense is having on the Wizards:

“Jamir is a pest on defense. He gets alot of steals, he’s physical with guys, so it’s uncomfotable to go against him. It helps us have energy defensively.” pic.twitter.com/zSwCeTZSVT

— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) January 30, 2026

“Jamir is a pest on defense. He gets a lot of steals, he’s physical with guys, so it’s uncomfortable to bring the ball up against him,” he said. “It helps us have energy defensively.”

Players like Watkins, who averaged 1.6 steals per game in January, show that the Wizards can win in the margins. Once they add their franchise cornerstone to that foundation, they’ll be ready for takeoff.

The post Wizards Must Follow Luka Doncic’s Advice After Lakers Blowout appeared first on ClutchPoints.

As for the Wizards, Alex Sarr is on the injury report as he’s dealing with right calf soreness, and it’s uncertain if he will be able to suit up for the matchup.

Here is the latest on these players’ injury status as they go into the matchup.

Russell Westbrook and Malik Monk’s injury status vs. Wizards

Westbrook and Monk are both listed as questionable, and it looks like their status will be up in the air until closer to gametime. Both players have done well in their roles this season, and they will be relied on even more now with the trades to Schroder and Ellis. For this game specifically, it would be nice if they were able to play due to the lack of depth, but if not, they still have players who can step up.

Alex Sarr’s injury status vs. Kings

Sarr is listed as questionable as well, and with a calf injury, the Wizards should be cautious of putting him on the court. Over the past few years, there has been a rise in calf injuries turning into something more serious, and it’s usually because players come back from the injury too quickly.

For the Wizards, they’re at the bottom of the standings, so there’s no need to risk a major injury to one of their young players, but if he feels good to go, it shouldn’t be a problem to activate him.

The post Russell Westbrook, Malik Monk, Alex Sarr headline Kings-Wizards injury report appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Wall attended the game as Washington dedicated a Celebration Night for him. He represented the franchise for 10 seasons from 2010 to 2020, giving them their best years in the modern NBA era.

Wall delivered a halftime speech to the crowd, who paid tribute to his remarkable career. While his jersey has yet to go up in the rafters, the former star guard had a clear message about his appreciation to the city.

“I love you all. This is my city. This is still my house!” Wall said, per reporter Josh Robbins.

How John Wall played throughout NBA career with Wizards

John Wall will always have the respect of the Wizards community, especially with his impact on the franchise throughout the 2010s.

Wall elevated the Wizards from lottery status to playoff contenders, leading them to the postseason four times. 2014 and 2017 marked their best years with him leading the offense, getting to the East Semifinals as they were one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals in 2017. However, they lost in Game 7 to the Boston Celtics during that series.

Wall racked up five All-Star selections, landed on one All-NBA team in 2017 and one All-Defensive squad in 2015. Throughout 573 total appearances with Washington, he averaged 19 points, 9.2 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game. He shot 43.3% from the field, including 32.4% from beyond the arc, and 78.1% from the free-throw line.

Even though Washington never got over the hump to make a deep playoff run, they enjoyed strong seasons with Wall wowing the crowds with his elite playmaking and athleticism. His prime years were ones to marvel at as the Wizards hope to build on the success he gave them in the 2010s and help the franchise return to relevancy in the 2020s.

The post John Wall’s halftime message to Wizards fans will have them fired up appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Young paid homage to Wall by wearing his jersey on the Wizards’ special day, where the team honored the five-time All-Star at Capital One Arena.

Trae Young rocking a John Wall jersey on John Wall celebration night pic.twitter.com/nBxO6diAwR

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 30, 2026

The Wizards gave out commemorative John Wall bobbleheads to fans in attendance. Wall averaged 19.0 points, 9.2 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals across nine seasons with the Wizards.

Tre Johnson gives Trae Young ‘COY’ shoutout 

Veteran guard Trae Young makes his presence felt with the Wizards ahead of his debut. From watching the former Hawks All-Star growing up to Young becoming his teammate, Wizards rookie Tre Johnson made a quick connection.

A reporter asked Johnson how Young’s influence helped him develop into the NBA rookie he is today, per ClutchPoints’ Joshua Valdez.

“Great passer. Great IQ of the game, especially seeing it from a different lens now not being on the court, you can actually see the whole floor, I would say.” Johnson said. “Just giving bits and pieces to guys as you’re coming out or during timeouts. I feel like just listening and paying attention, ‘cause most of the stuff he’s talking about, the next play it’ll be open or kind of happen. It’s like having another coach on the side.”

I asked Tre Johnson what he’s learned from watching Trae Young over the years and from being around him since the trade (thread):

“Great passer. Great IQ of the game, especially seeing it from a different lens now not being on the court, you can actually see the whole floor…” pic.twitter.com/9LIafKJFbt

— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) January 23, 2026

Johnson scored a season-high 26 points in last week’s 119-115 loss to the Hornets.

The post Wizards’ Trae Young pays homage to John Wall on special night in DC appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Alex Sarr injury status vs. Bucks

While Trae Young is ruled out with a right MCL contusion, Alex Sarr is listed as questionable due to his illness. Amidst Sarr finding out he’s heading to All-Star weekend to participate in the Rising Stars competition, he went off for 29 points, 12 rebounds, six blocks, and two steals — stuffing the stat sheet with a little bit of everything. His production led the Wizards to a 115-111 win against the Blazers.

The Wizards’ win over the Blazers snapped a nine-game losing streak, marking their first victory since January 6. Sarr, who’s improved his game in his sophomore season, is averaging 17.7 points on 49.8% shooting, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game.

He’s also scored 20+ points in three of the Wizards last four games, including a season-high 29 points in Tuesday’s win. Sarr also connected on a combined 6-for-18 3-point attempts throughout that span. While he is attempting less threes this season on 2.9 attempts compared to last year’s 5.1 average, Sarr’s 3-point shooting shooting clip has spiked to 34.3% from 30.8% shooting in 2024-25.

In a rare nationally televised Wizards game, is Alex Sarr playing tonight? Maybe.

Wizards injury report

Marvin Bagley III — Out — Thoracic strain

Alex Sarr — Questionable — Ilness

Tristan Vukcevic — Out — Left hamstring strain

Cam Whitmore — Out — Right shoulder deep vein thrombosis

Trae Young — Out — Right knee; MCL strain; quad contusion

Bucks injury report

Giannis Antetokounmpo — Out — Right calf strain

Anthony Cole — Questionable — Illness

Gary Harris — Out — Left hamstring soreness

Kevin Porter Jr. — Out — Right oblique muscle strain

Taurean Prince — Out — Neck surgery

The post Wizards’ Alex Sarr on injury report for national TV game vs. Bucks appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Saturday we’re doing things the Wall Way!

DC Icon, John Wall is our Captain of the Day versus Norfolk State!

John Wall is one of the most decorated and beloved athletes in the history of Washington, DC. He was drafted #1 overall by the Wizards in 2010 after a standout season… pic.twitter.com/qNNBid7Sbo

— Howard Men’s Basketball (@HUMensBB) January 27, 2026

After a standout career at the University of Kentucky under John Calipari, Wall was selected number one overall in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards. Wall played for the Wizards for 10 years and emerged as one of the best point guards in the NBA during a significant portion of that time span.

Wall is a five-time NBA All-Star, earning the honor from 2014 to 2018. His play in 2017 earned him a spot on the All-NBA Third Team. He’s a slam dunk champion, having won the competition in 2014. He then led the Wizards to one of the most prosperous seasons in team history during the 2016-2017 season, where he led them to the playoffs and pushed the Celtics to seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Wall retired in 2023 as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers, and he now serves as an analyst for Amazon Prime Video’s NBA coverage and for local sports network Monumental Sports.

The post Howard University to honor former NBA Star John Wall appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Sarr told ClutchPoints his thoughts postgame about heading to All-Star Weekend again, this time alongside teammates Kyshawn George and Tre Johnson.

Alex Sarr on being selected as a Rising Star again, this time alongside Kyshawn George and Tre Johnson (thread):

“Yeah, it’s exciting that I get to go there with two of my teammates again. We’re gonna have a good time, good experience, so I’m excited to play the game.” pic.twitter.com/8gbHlDYHe0

— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) January 28, 2026

“Yeah, it’s exciting that I get to go there with two of my teammates again,” the 20-year-old said. “We’re gonna have a good time, good experience, so I’m excited to play the game.”

Sarr leads the NBA with 2.2 blocks per game and is one of four players below 21 years old to ever average 17-plus points, 2.5-plus assists, and two-plus blocks (Kevin Garnett, Chris Webber, Victor Wembanyama). The 2024 No. 2 overall pick also made history on Tuesday, as he became the seventh player aged 20 or younger to notch 25-plus points, 10-plus rebounds, and five-plus blocks in a game (Wembanyama, Webber, Myles Turner, Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Davis, and Shaquille O’Neal). He is also the first Wizard to post that stat line in a game since Javale McGee on Mar. 27, 2011.

Sarr outdueled Trail Blazers big man Donovan Clingan, who logged 14 points (6-17 FG, 0-3 3-point) with 20 rebounds, two assists, one block, and one steal over 30 minutes. The 7-foot-2, 280-pounder was drafted No. 7 overall in 2024 and was also selected for the Rising Stars Challenge this year.

However, Washington’s other 2026 Rising Stars also made an impact. George notched 19 points (5-16 FG, 4-10 3-point) with nine rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two blocks across 37 minutes, while Johnson tallied 18 points (7-13 FG, 3-5 3-point) with four rebounds, two assists, and one block over 32 minutes.

The “Wiz Kids” had even more contributions beyond the box score. For example, third-year guard Bilal Coulibaly and rookie guard Jamir Watkins were suffocating all night defensively, and Watkins closed the game out by pressuring Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe on a missed jumpshot with 9.7 seconds left.

Biggest possession of the game, Blazers have a chance to tie.

Jamir Watkins with textbook defense on Shaedon Sharpe. This is why he's here. pic.twitter.com/xi5moIXsXq

— Bijan Todd (@bijan_todd) January 28, 2026

Head coach Brian Keefe spoke about the team’s growth in clutch-time situations postgame.

“We’ve been in a lot of these close games lately. And these are great lessons for us, because the margins are thin and you wanna be able to execute on both ends,” he said. “Tonight, we had to execute to win the game, defensive things. They have a need to score, we get the stop. We’re up four, we talk about switching. Not fouling, execute that. Those little things matter. We always review those things, we look at those things. But to be in them is the best way to learn, and that’s the most important thing.”

Tre Johnson expresses gratitude as young Wizards shine

It’s one thing to be in clutch-time situations, and it’s another for the NBA’s youngest squad to execute and seal a close victory against a potential playoff team. Washington has played five straight games decided by 10 points or less after losing the previous five by 13-plus. Tuesday’s win was their first since trading veterans CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert to the Atlanta Hawks for star guard Trae Young on Jan. 7.

Sarr’s defense is one of the main factors behind that growth, as Johnson explained postgame.

Tre Johnson on Alex Sarr’s impact (thread):

“It helps a lot, allows us to pressure the ball, even fullcourt. Just knowing he’s down there, he can alter the shot or get the block. We just gotta make sure we box out his man so he doesn’t get the rebound.” pic.twitter.com/VVc5o6mVRe

— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) January 28, 2026

“It helps a lot, allows us to pressure the ball, even full-court,” the 19-year-old said. “Just knowing he’s down there, he can alter the shot or get the block. We just gotta make sure we box out his man so he doesn’t get the rebound.”

Johnson also opened up about being selected as a Rising Star.

“Excited, just for the experience and to be out there, to be honest,” the former Texas Longhorn said. “It’s a blessing…”

Johnson, who is averaging 13.1 points on 44.7 percent shooting (39.8 percent 3-point) over 25.5 minutes, could become the first rookie in NBA history to finish with the “50/40/90” statline, which means a 50 percent field goal clip, 40 percent from deep, and 90 percent from the free-throw line. The 6-foot-5, 190-pounder is currently shooting 88.3 percent from the charity stripe.

For now, Johnson and company must focus on continued growth as the Wizards play out their last tanking season. These reps will help them produce next season and beyond, when the organization prioritizes winning instead of developing while bottoming out to increase draft lottery odds.

Up next for Washington are home games against the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Each game will start at 7:00 p.m. ET, and the Bucks contest will be on Amazon Prime Video.

The post Wizards’ Alex Sarr makes ‘exciting’ All-Star Weekend admission after win vs. Trail Blazers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James discussed Avdija via his “Mind the Game” podcast with Hall of Famer Steve Nash on Jan. 6.

“I feel he’s in a little better shape [this year]. He just feels a little sharper, he’s getting to the cracks,” Nash said. “Like you said, he’s shooting so that makes him faster, too. Good playmaker. Makes plays for others. He’s a guy I think Washington probably…”

“Is kicking themselves?” James asked.

“Yeah, ruined their decision there. Because I mean, this is a quality, quality player in our league,” Nash replied.

“He’s a quality player,” James said. “He’s a big-time player. He’s good. He’s really good.”

Timeline of Deni Avdija saga

Avdija was drafted No. 9 overall by the Wizards under former general manager Tommy Sheppard in November 2020, and he averaged less than 10 points on less than 44 percent shooting in each of his first three seasons. The 6-foot-8, 228-pounder then signed a four-year, $55 million rookie contract extension in October 2023, months after Winger and Dawkins took over. His turnaround began after that, as he averaged 14.7 points on 50.6 percent shooting (37.4 percent 3-point) with 7.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists over 30.1 minutes in the 2023-24 campaign.

However, Dawkins and Winger didn’t see Avdija as part of their long-term plans, since they wanted to reset the roster around a young core that they drafted. That process started with trading for guard Bilal Coulibaly out of France on draft day in 2023, and they aimed to turn Avdija into another prospect. The contract extension simply gave them more time to trade him, as he only had a team option for 2023-24 left on his rookie deal before he signed it.

Washington dealt Avdija for the 2024 No. 14 overall pick, a 2029 first-round pick (second-most favorable from Portland), a 2028 second-rounder, a 2030 second-rounder, and veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon hours ahead of the draft. The Trail Blazers then picked guard Bub Carrington out of Pittsburgh University, who they immediately traded to the Wizards to complete the deal.

Carrington joined big man Alex Sarr (No. 2 overall pick) and wing Kyshawn George (No. 24) to form Washington’s 2024 draft class. Carrington, Sarr, and Coulibaly all made the Rising Stars Challenge last season, and Sarr got selected again this season alongside George and rookie guard Tre Johnson. Coulibaly also made it as a rookie in the 2023-24 campaign.

Furthermore, Carrington earned Second-Team All-Rookie honors after averaging 9.8 points on 40.1 percent shooting (33.9 percent 3-point) with 4.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists over 30 minutes. On the other hand, Avdija averaged 16.9 points on 47.6 percent shooting (36.5 percent 3-point) with 7.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists over 30 minutes.

Avdija was the better player, but that was the idea for Washington. The downgrade from Avdija to Carrington helped it finish 18-64, which was the NBA’s second-worst record. It then got stuck with the No. 6 overall pick in the draft lottery – the worst it could’ve gotten with its position in the standings. However, it still landed Johnson, who’s shooting 39.8 percent from deep this season and is averaging 14.8 points with 3.2 assists in January.

Meanwhile, Portland finished 36-46, tied with the Phoenix Suns for three games out of the Western Conference Play-In Tournament zone. That was a 15-game improvement on the previous campaign, when it finished as the worst team in the West. The organization later acquired big man Yang Hansen out of China in a draft-night deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, who’s now averaging just 8.5 minutes.

Wizards beat Deni Avdija, Trail Blazers on Tuesday

This season, the Trail Blazers are ninth at 23-25 after losing 115-111 on the road to the Wizards on Tuesday night. Sarr became the seventh player in NBA history aged 20 or younger to record 25-plus points, 10-plus rebounds, and five-plus blocks in a single game, joining Victor Wembanyama, Myles Turner, Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Davis, Chris Webber, and Shaquille O’Neal. George added 19 points (5-16 FG, 4-10 3-point) with nine rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two blocks over 37 minutes, while Johnson had 18 points (7-13 FG, 3-5 3-point) with four rebounds, two assists, and one block across 32 minutes.

Additionally, Coulibaly and second-round rookie Jamir Watkins helped keep Avdija in check, as he finished with 17 points (6-14 FG, 3-5 3-point) as well as 12 rebounds, six turnovers, and three assists over 31 minutes. The native Israeli had a minus-nine plus/minus, trailing George (plus-19), Coulibaly (plus-19) and Sarr (plus-16).

To top it off, Carrington scored five points in the final 3:31, including a 13-foot floater to give Washington a 110-106 lead with 1:21 left. The Wizards now have the NBA’s second-worst record at 11-34 as they aim to keep their top-eight protected pick, which they can guarantee by finishing in the bottom four slots of the league standings. But beating a Portland team that could make the playoffs in a down-to-the-wire game is also invaluable experience for a young Washington squad that hadn’t won since acquiring star guard Trae Young on Jan. 7. Plus, the front office can rest easy knowing that the team beat an Avdija-led Trail Blazers squad in a developmental season while Portland is trying to establish itself as playoff-caliber.

Who won Deni Avdija trade?

Carrington’s numbers this season are similar to his rookie campaign, save for his three-point clip. The 20-year-old is shooting 40.3 percent from downtown, a 6.4 percent increase from last year.

Avdija shot 31.7 percent from deep in his second season and 43.2 percent from the field, while Carrington is at 39.9. The latter player also has a 1.9 assist/turnover ratio, while Avdija was at 1.8.

This doesn’t mean that Carrington will ever become as good as Avdija is now, but it shows what’s possible once players hit their prime.  Carrington is smaller at 6-foot-4, 190 pounds and doesn’t make up for that with quickness/explosiveness, so he’s unlikely to reach Avdija’s level as a slasher. For example, Avdija averages 9.7 free throws attempted per game, while Carrington is at 1.3. On the other hand, Avdija averaged 1.7 over 24.2 minutes in his second campaign, so Carrington still isn’t far off his peer’s year-by-year pace.

Carrington’s calling card right now is his three-point shot, and he’ll make up for his lack of slashing if he keeps shooting 40-plus percent from deep. There will always be a role for a reliable long-range shooter in today’s NBA, so the Baltimore native could be a scorer off the bench next season and beyond at the very least.

Avdija, who is under contract through 2028, is a floor-raiser for a Trail Blazers team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2021. It will also get 35-year-old star guard Damian Lillard (Achilles) back next season, but its only other young player with star-level upside is 22-year-old guard Shaedon Sharpe, who is under contract through 2029 and is averaging 21.8 points on 45.5 percent shooting (34.2 percent 3-point) with 4.6 rebounds over 30.3 minutes. The organization drafted him No. 7 overall in 2022, with its subsequent lottery picks being guard Scoot Henderson (No. 3 overall in 2023) and center Donovan Clingan (No. 7 in 2024). Henderson (hamstring) hasn’t panned out thus far, and the 7-foot-2, 280-pound Clingan profiles more as a foundational piece (third in the NBA with 11.2 average rebounds) than a star big man, as he’s not dynamic offensively.

Portland might be a playoff team for the remainder of Avdija’s contract, but winning a championship during that time is unlikely. The NBA is a star-driven league, and the Trail Blazers don’t have enough top-end talent to get near the Larry O’Brien Trophy anytime soon, although the former Israeli League MVP could earn his first All-Star nod this season.

Is that worth potentially missing out on top-10 draft picks over the next few years, especially in a stacked class like 2026? It wasn’t for the Wizards, which is why they traded Avdija and committed to rising as high as they can in the lottery, with this season being their last bottoming-out chapter.

Winger explained as much during his press conference on Thursday when The Athletic’s Josh Robbins asked him if the trade was a mistake.

“No, it was not a mistake. We’re all very happy for Deni,” he said. “We saw Deni as a very high-level ascending player…But no, we did it for the reasons we said then, which was to take us back a couple of years so we could reset the roster and so that everybody was on the same age curve and Deni’s ahead of that.”

Michael Winger’s full response when asked if trading Deni Avdija was a mistake:

“No, it was not a mistake. We’re all very happy for Deni. We saw Deni as a very high-level ascending player…but no, we did it for the reasons we said then which was to take us back a couple of… pic.twitter.com/IsCWJARE6w

— Wizards Film Room (@KevinFolliNBA) January 23, 2026

Dawkins echoed those sentiments before the game on Tuesday, via “The Sports Junkies” on 106.7 The Fan.

“When you see Deni in his prime at 25 kind of ready to ascend, that timeline just wasn’t going to be the same as the players that we were trying to go after,” he said. “It would’ve been a little early and thrown things off, but he’s a really good player and we’re happy to see his success.”

Getting the 27-year-old Young this season was a head start for next season, as he has a $49 million player option for the final year on his contract. Washington expects to start being competitive in 2026-27 the way Portland is this year, except the majority of the core will be young and ascending talent.

Young is the veteran star, but the Wizards will have a roster that also includes Sarr, George, Johnson, Coulibaly, Carrington, 2025 first-round pick Will Riley, and whoever it drafts this summer, assuming they don’t trade any of those players before next season. If Washington finishes with the NBA’s worst record this year, it will have a guaranteed chance of drafting either BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, Duke’s Cameron Boozer, North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson, or Houston’s Kingston Flemings. The first three are in the “star” tier, but Wilson and Flemings could each be foundational pieces as well.

That’s more than enough talent to be an Eastern Conference Play-In team, and Washington could keep rising after that. Carrington panning out long-term would make the Avdija trade look better, but as long as the organization stays on that trajectory, it doesn’t matter.

In short, James may have thought the Wizards were “kicking themselves” over short-term results, but Dawkins and Winger have played the long game since they were hired.

The post LeBron James thinks Wizards are ‘kicking themselves’ over Deni Avdija trade. Is he right? appeared first on ClutchPoints.

And one of those rejections was especially impactful. With Washington down 94-89 early in the fourth quarter, Sarr faced off with a driving Donovan Clingan. The former No. 2 overall draft pick denied the two-time national champion, as the ball bounced off the backboard. Momentum quickly changed, and the Wizards roared to a long-awaited victory.

This season, like the several before it, is all about development. But there is nothing better than moments of growth leading to positive team results.

Alex Sarr REJECTION

He’s up to 27 points and 5 blocks on the night!

pic.twitter.com/IooS9N8OE5

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 28, 2026

Besides the aforementioned blocks, Sarr totaled 29 points on 11-of-29 shooting with 12 rebounds, three assists and two steals. While some restraint would have been appreciated, it is clear the 20-year-old is operating with much more confidence in his second NBA season.

The Wizards (11-34) will not progress as a group unless he embraces the alpha role. Alex Sarr is the franchise pillar fans have been begging for during these seemingly endless dark ages. The young big man still has growing pains to endure, as was the case tonight, but he can boost the squad forward, as was the case tonight.

Alex Sarr entered the Blazers matchup averaging 17.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game this season. He will try to stay on the attack for Thursday’s showdown with the Milwaukee Bucks (18-26).

The post Wizards’ Alex Sarr epically rejects Donovan Clingan with monster block appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Wizards joined exclusive company, per the team’s social media.

“Washington sends three players to the Rising Stars game for the second time in franchise history and becomes the third team to send three-plus players in consecutive seasons (Philadelphia, Houston),” they announced. “Sarr joins teammate Bilal Coulibaly (2024-25) as one of Washington’s five players to attend multiple Rising Stars games (Hachimura, Beal, Wall). Johnson gives Washington its third-straight season with a rookie participant, its longest streak in franchise history.”

Sarr leads the NBA with 2.1 blocks per game this season and ranks second among the 2024 draft class with 14.5 points per game in his career while ranking ninth with a 0.3 Value Over Replacement Player (VORP). VORP is “a box score estimate of the points per 100 TEAM possessions that a player contributed above a replacement-level (-2.0) player, translated to an average team and prorated to an 82-game season,” per Basketball Reference.

Sarr also ranks 40th in the NBA with a 50.5 percent field goal clip (34.4 percent 3-point) and 32nd with 7.3 rebounds per game. The 20-year-old’s field goal percentage is 11.1 percent higher than his rookie clip, and his three-point percentage is 3.6 percent higher.

Meanwhile, George is averaging 15.5 points on 45.3 percent shooting (38.7 percent 3-point) with 5.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks, joining San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle as the only players aged 22 or younger to average 15-plus points, five-plus rebounds, five-plus assists, and one-plus steals this season. Castle was drafted No. 4 overall in 2024, while George was No. 24.

Finally, Johnson is shooting 39.3 percent from downtown over 37 games and is the only rookie besides Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel with a 40-plus field goal percentage, 35-plus three-point percentage, and 85-plus free-throw percentage this season. The 19-year-old is also second to Knueppel among rookies with 27 games in which he’s made multiple three-pointers.

Washington’s only player drafted in the first round over the last three years who hasn’t been selected to the Rising Stars Challenge is rookie wing Will Riley, who was picked No. 21 overall in 2025. Coulibaly (No. 7 overall in 2023) made it in each of his first two seasons, Sarr (No. 2 overall in 2024) made it last season and this season, second-year guard Bub Carrington (No. 14 overall in 2024) made it last season, while George and Johnson (No. 6 overall in 2025) made it this season. Riley is averaging just 14.3 minutes per game, which is the sixth-fewest on the Wizards this season.

Conversely, Coulibaly is sixth in his draft class with 29.4 minutes per game in his career, while Carrington, George, and Sarr are first (29.5), second (28.1), and fourth (27.5) in their class. Lastly, Johnson is seventh in the 2025 class with 25.3 average minutes.

That’s a product of Washington prioritizing player development over winning, allowing its young foundational pieces to play through mistakes and gain experience as leaders on the floor. This philosophy has intentionally resulted in losing, as it finished second-worst in the NBA with a 15-67 record in the 2023-24 campaign, second-worst at 18-64 last season, and is dead last at 10-34 this season entering Tuesday night’s slate.

The 2023-24 season led to drafting Sarr, and last season led to Johnson. If it finishes with the worst record this year, it will guarantee a top-five lottery pick this summer in a draft with superstar prospects like BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, and Duke’s Cameron Boozer, as well as second-tier stars like North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson and Houston’s Kingston Flemings.

The Rising Stars Challenge will take place on Feb. 13 at 9:00 p.m. ET on Peacock and will be played at the Los Angeles Clippers’ Intuit Dome.

Michael Winger lauds Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson, Kyshawn George

Monumental Basketball President Michael Winger shouted out Washington’s Rising Stars during his “State of Monumental Basketball” press conference on Thursday, via Monumental Sports Network.

“Because of the very hard work and dedication that our players and staff have exhibited, Alex Sarr is having an All-Star-type season in my opinion. He’s becoming one of the most dominant big men in the league at the rim on both ends of the floor,” he said. “Kyshawn at just 22 years old has already become one of the more well-rounded players in the NBA. He’s one of just 16 players in the league with his combination of points, rebounds, and assists, and he’s the youngest on that list among All-Star company.”

After praising Coulibaly’s consistent defensive performances against opposing stars and Carrington’s three-point shooting (40.5 percent this season), Winger offered kind words about Johnson.

“Tre Johnson, a rookie, is having an unprecedented start to his NBA career,” he continued. “Not far from the revered 50/40/90 mark, he’s shown early signs of his development as a playmaker and as a defender, which comes as no surprise to those who have seen his work ethic.”

50/40/90 refers to shooting splits of at least 50 percent on field goals, 40 percent on three-pointers, and 90 percent on free throws. No rookie has ever finished the season with that stat line over a full campaign, but Johnson has a chance. The former Texas Longhorn is currently shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 88.1 percent from the charity stripe.

It’s no surprise that the president of the team praised the “Wiz Kids,” but they’ve earned his public compliments. Going forward, the key for them is to maintain consistency and prove that they deserve to be part of the organization when it prioritizes winning, which will start next season.

The post Wizards’ Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson earn All-Star Weekend honors appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The 19-year-old delivered that performance about 36 hours after calling injured star Trae Young (knee, quadriceps) a “coach on the side.”

I asked Tre Johnson what he’s learned from watching Trae Young over the years and from being around him since the trade (thread):

“Great passer. Great IQ of the game, especially seeing it from a different lens now not being on the court, you can actually see the whole floor…” pic.twitter.com/9LIafKJFbt

— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) January 23, 2026

“Great passer. Great IQ of the game, especially seeing it from a different lens now not being on the court, you can actually see the whole floor, I would say.” Johnson said when asked how Young has influenced him both as a player over the years and as a teammate since Washington acquired him on Jan. 7. “Just giving bits and pieces to guys as you’re coming out or during timeouts. I feel like just listening and paying attention, ‘cause most of the stuff he’s talking about, the next play it’ll be open or kind of happen. It’s like having another coach on the side.”

Young has yet to make his on-court debut for the Wizards and will be out at least until the All-Star break as he rehabs. However, the four-time All-Star constantly shares knowledge with the “Wiz Kids” on the bench during games, and that’s yielded results for Johnson.

The former Texas Longhorn’s playmaking has taken a jump recently, as he set a new career-high with five assists in the Wizards’ 110-106 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Jan. 19 before notching six in Charlotte. He’s had three outings with a 3.0-plus assist/turnover ratio over the last five after having only two across his previous 32 games.

Tre Johnson’s passing continues to stand out. 5 assists for him already, pic.twitter.com/2ixg41Zopj

— Wizards Film Room (@KevinFolliNBA) January 24, 2026

That growth is partially from gaining more experience, but having Young around “giving bits and pieces” doesn’t hurt either. The former All-NBA honoree led the league with 11.6 assists per game last season, so Johnson’s description of him and the way he helps on the sidelines lines up.

Young is an elite offensive organizer and facilitator, while Johnson is primarily a shooter. The latter player may never become a Young-level playmaker, but he’s also establishing himself as a capable secondary ballhandler on top of being a 39.3 percent three-point shooter. The next step is to maintain consistency, which he named one of his main goals for the rest of the season after Thursday’s 107-97 home loss to the Denver Nuggets.

“Consistency and defense. Those are the two biggest things on my mind,” he said.

Michael Winger outlines growth expectations for Trae Young, Wizards

Johnson’s comments about Young also align with what team president Michael Winger said about the latter player during his press conference on Thursday, via Monumental Sports Network.

“Trae Young has a very long track record of making players around him better, particularly on the offensive end,” he said. “For what we’re trying to do organizationally, player development being our priority, we believe that Trae Young will contribute mightily to our player development program, not only for himself, but for all of our athletes.”

Johnson’s quote and recent assist numbers show that Winger’s words weren’t empty. Young is already helping Washington’s “player development program” despite not playing a game with the team yet.

“And I think guys just have fun playing with him, so doubling down on joy,” Winger continued. “We believe very much that whether it’s on the strategy team, on the coaching staff, or the evaluation team, if you love what you’re doing you’re probably going to be very good at what you’re doing. We want our players to continue to love playing basketball. It’s not really an issue for our guys, but I think Trae Young plays a joyful brand of basketball, and that will be contagious among our athletes.”

Young, who led the Atlanta Hawks to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, could be a floor-raiser for an organization that’s bottomed out to secure top-six lottery picks in each of the last two seasons and is doing the same this year. That process has been painful, yet necessary, as it’s landed Johnson and fellow foundational piece Alex Sarr as a result. After it drafts another foundational piece this summer, the plan is for Young and company to form a competitive squad next season.

“I’m not setting a barometer on what next season ought to be,” Winger said. “My expectation is that, particularly with Trae Young on the basketball team, and the development of our young players [like] Alex, [Kyshawn George], Bilal [Coulibaly], Bub [Carrington], Tre, et cetera, we are going to be better next season than we are this season. How much better remains to be seen. But I think that we all expect us to be better and more competitive next season, and Trae by himself will put us in more competitive basketball games than we’ve been in.”

For now, Wizards fans can enjoy developmental progress amid an NBA-worst 10-34 campaign, like Johnson’s improved playmaking. Young’s eventual return this season will serve as a test drive for next year, when the organization will finally prioritize winning over developing while losing. Currently, the goal is to finish in the bottom four of the league standings to make sure this summer’s lottery pick falls in the top eight, which would guarantee it not conveying to the New York Knicks.

Up next for Washington is a home date with the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.

The post How Tre Johnson’s hot streak validates Trae Young as Wizards’ ‘coach on the side’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

However, there is talk around the league that the Wizards will try to make a deal with the Jazz for Kessler, according to Sports Illustrated’s Bryson Akins.

“They (Jazz) are optimistic Walker Kessler will be back in Utah, and they have final say due to his restricted free agency…the word around the league is the Wizards are fairing to make him a significant offer,” Akins reported.

The Wizards, who recently acquired Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks, could be looking to pair the All-Star guard with the promising 7-foot-2 center. Kessler has averaged a double-double in the last two of his four seasons with the Jazz, including 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game in only five games in 2025-26 before his season-ending shoulder injury.

Walker is expected to see a significant pay raise. The fourth and final season of his rookie contract is worth $4.8 million.

Jazz reportedly turned down trade offers for Walker Kessler

The Jazz are hoping to re-sign Walker Kessler during the offseason when the center will be a restricted free agent. However, that didn’t stop the Pacers from trying, as they’ve made offers recently, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

“Kessler will be a restricted free agent in the summer, and the Jazz continue to signal that they hope to re-sign him after first capitalizing on their projected salary cap space in the offseason… despite the fact that the sides’ negotiations on a rookie scale contract extension before the Oct. 20 deadline for such deals were marked by a significant gulf.

“Yet, the repeated signals emanating from Salt Lake City indicate that Utah wants to keep Kessler have not stopped Indiana from expressing trade interest in the promising big man,” Stein reports.

The Pacers lost their former starting center, Myles Turner, via free agency to the Bucks last summer.

The post NBA rumors: Wizards ready to make big Walker Kessler offer, but Jazz are ‘optimistic’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

During the Saturday night broadcast of Inside the NBA, Sir Charles took a playful swipe at the crowd attending the game between the Washington Wizards and the Charlotte Hornets.

While the league dealt with a major scheduling shift following the postponement of the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves game, Barkley found humor in the “dedication” of the fans in D.C.

“If you went to this game, you had nothing to do today,” Barkley joked, drawing laughter from Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith.

"If you went to this game, you had nothing to do today."

— Charles Barkley on the Wizards & Hornets game.

(h/t @awfulannouncing)

pic.twitter.com/9rTVdEvVOY

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 25, 2026

To be fair to the fans at Capital One Arena, the game turned out to be more competitive than the “Chuckster” anticipated. The Hornets managed to pull out a gritty 119-115 victory over the Wizards.

Tre Johnson led the charge for Washington, finding his rhythm to finish with 26 points and six assists. He received plenty of help from Alex Sarr, who chipped in with 24 points and four rebounds.

On the other side, LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges led the way for the Hornets. The star guard racked up 20 points and 11 assists, with Bridges scoring the same number of points with three rebounds and four assists. Brandon Miller added 21 points of his own, with a huge 11 rebounds.

While Barkley might think those fans had nothing better to do, they at least walked away seeing a close game and a Hornets win. Whether Chuck likes it or not, even the “basement” matchups provide some Saturday night drama.

The post Charles Barkley drops hilarious reaction to fans at Wizards-Hornets game appeared first on ClutchPoints.

George cracked a joke postgame when asked to evaluate where Washington’s rebuild is at right now.

I had a funny postgame exchange with Kyshawn George last night (thread):

Me: How would you evaluate where the Wizards’ rebuilding process is at right now?

Ky: So you’re basically asking if me, Alex and Bub are doing a good job?

Me: That’s part of it, but just in general pic.twitter.com/IjIlgGQMA9

— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) January 23, 2026

“So you’re basically asking if me, Alex [Sarr], and Bub [Carrington] are doing a good job?” the 22-year-old asked. After the reporters and staffers laughed, he gave his analysis.

“I think we’re good, I think we’re starting to figure stuff out. We’ve been in a couple close games, we keep our heads level with the game going on,” he said. “We’re able to fight back after other teams go on runs and respond with a run of our own. I think we’re trending in the right direction, and I hope and think that people see the progress. The best is yet to come.”

The Wizards had their third straight competitive performance against a playoff-caliber squad on Thursday, as they lost 121-115 at Denver on Saturday and 110-106 to the Los Angeles Clippers at home on Monday. The Nuggets didn’t have future Hall of Famer Nikola Jokic (knee) in either matchup, but they’ve gone 8-5 without him over the last 13 games and are one game out of second place in the Western Conference entering Friday night. Meanwhile, the Clippers are 10th in the West and didn’t have two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard on Monday, but are 14-3 since Dec. 20 and made it to Game 7 of the conference quarterfinals last year.

That progress matters for a Washington squad that lost four straight games by double digits after trading veterans CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert to the Atlanta Hawks for star guard Trae Young on Jan. 7. It also fell 131-110 to the Philadelphia 76ers on the road hours before the trade with McCollum, Kispert, and fellow veteran Khris Middleton all sitting out.

The improved team performance is partially because of individual contributions, as George notched a team-high 20 points (6-17 FG, 2-6 3-point) with a game-high 12 rebounds and seven assists over 34 minutes on Thursday, while Johnson tallied 19 points (7-14 FG, 3-7 3-point) with three rebounds, three assists, and one block across 34 minutes. George added a steal as well.

George continues to establish himself as a shoo-in for the Rising Stars Challenge, as he already has 10 15/5/5 (points/rebounds/assists) games this season and has done it in three consecutive outings. The former Miami Hurricane has also scored 15-plus points in seven of his last eight games, as well as 20 times this season, and has one-plus steal in five straight contests.

Meanwhile, Johnson has made multiple three-pointers in 26 games over the 2025-26 campaign, which ranks third among NBA rookies. The 19-year-old also has the most three-pointers made (75) through his first 35 career games in franchise history, besting Bradley Beal (58).

However, the Wizards’ defense has been effective over the past two games as well. They held the Clippers to 18 percent shooting from beyond the arc (28 attempts) on Monday and held the Nuggets to 45 percent shooting from the field on Thursday, which helped them stay in the game despite shooting just 38 percent.

Head coach Brian Keefe revealed postgame whether the defense is where he’d like it to be overall at this point.

“Yeah, I can see it really growing in the last three games for sure. You know, obviously we made a move here about a week and a half ago, and I think it took us a couple games to get adjusted, and that’s normal,” he said. “But I really like how we’re playing defensively. The defense kept us in the game, and that’s what you have to do when things aren’t always going your way, and we talked about that in the timeouts. The guys kept guarding, and that gives you a chance to win every night. That’s the most important thing for us going for it.”

Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson shine amid Michael Winger ultimatum

Winger spoke to the media pregame to give updates on the Wizards, Washington Mystics, and Capital City Go-Go (Wizards’ G League affiliate). One of his standout quotes about the Wizards was his “six to 18 months” comment, via Monumental Sports Network.

“We are coming up on a time, mostly within the next six to 18 months, where we have to declare which of our youngest players can make material contributions to our eventual contention,” he said.

George and Johnson have shown that they can make those “material contributions,” and ditto for Sarr. The latter player is tied with Indiana Pacers big man Jay Huff for the NBA lead with 2.1 blocks per game and is averaging 17.2 points on 50.2 percent shooting (34.4 percent 3-point) despite not playing with a true point guard all season. That’ll change when Young (knee, quadriceps) returns sometime after the All-Star break.

Carrington and third-year guard Bilal Coulibaly (back) have more to prove. Carrington is shooting 40.3 percent from deep this season but just 39.8 percent from the field, and his 14.7 turnover ratio was the NBA’s 16th-worst entering Friday. Additionally, Coulibaly is in the midst of his third straight injury-shortened season and is shooting just 39.2 percent from the field (27.3 percent), a stat he’s regressed in each year. On the bright side, the 21-year-old is one of the best perimeter defenders in basketball and would be tied for 16th in the league with 1.4 steals per game entering Friday if he had played enough games to qualify for statistical rankings. He’s played just 25 out of 43 contests thus far.

Luckily, the “Wiz Kids” have the entire second half of the regular season to show Winger and company why they deserve to be on the winning version of the team next year and beyond.

The post Kyshawn George promises ‘best is yet to come’ amid Wizards’ 10-33 campaign appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Early in the first quarter, the 20-year-old center got the ball near the three-point line at the top of the key. He then turned and drove to the hoop. However, Sarr seemed to attempt a pass to the corner to Khris Middleton, but it got tipped straight up in the air, and the ball fell through the hoop for two points.

Alex Sarr somehow made this bucket pic.twitter.com/lnHtmMzbcR

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 23, 2026

That might be the definition of a circus shot. Especially considering Sarr was seemingly trying to pass the ball away, and a defender forced the ball to pop up straight into the air. But considering how the Wizards’ season is going, Washington could use all of the luck it can get.

The organization is just 10-32 on the season, pending the results of Thursday’s game against the Nuggets. Washington is ranked 14th in the Eastern Conference and seems to be nearly out of the playoff race already.

On the bright side, the roster is filled with young talent, but they need time to develop. Additionally, the front office owns several high-value draft picks for the future. So, if the Wizards make the right decisions, we could see this team become competitive once again. Teams like the Detroit Pistons and Oklahoma City Thunder followed a similar path before becoming the No. 1 seeds in each conference.

The post Wizards center Alex Sarr may have just made the most improbable shot ever appeared first on ClutchPoints.

A scout predicted how the 27-year-old would affect second-year players Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, and Bub Carrington, via The Athletic’s Josh Robbins.

“I think it [the trade] helps Sarr, for sure. In pick-and-rolls, that’s going to help Sarr,” the scout said. “I think it will help Kyshawn probably a little less because he’s handled the ball so much and because he’ll have to take a backseat.”

“Carrington, the scout added, may be the Wizards prospect who stands to lose the most with Young now in the fold,” Robbins wrote. “Carrington will continue to receive heavy minutes this season while Young sits, but Young’s presence next season almost certainly will relegate Carrington to a role off the bench as long as other players on the roster remain healthy.”

Carrington came into this season as Washington’s lead guard after earning Rising Star and Second-Team All-Rookie honors as a combo guard last year, but he hit a wall in the first few weeks. Then, the 20-year-old more than doubled his scoring average from November to December (6.3 points to 13.7) on a nearly 10 percent higher field goal clip (36.6 to 45.3) and has logged 10 out of 24 games with a 3.0-plus assist/turnover ratio since Dec. 1.

Carrington told ClutchPoints after Monday’s 110-106 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers that the constant reps are helping him improve, as he’s yet to miss a game in his NBA career and is second only to George among the Wizards’ currently rostered players with 28.3 minutes per game this season. But will the Baltimore native’s development stay on track if and when his minutes go down with Young in the lineup?

Bub Carrington could be Wizards’ long-term sixth man

While Carrington has had ups and downs, his constant availability has put him in the NBA record books. On Monday, the former Pittsburgh Panther became the eighth player in league history to log 500-plus rebounds and 500-plus assists before turning 21 years old, per Wizards PR.

That’s partially because Carrington gets more playing time than many players his age have gotten historically and currently, but he’s shown that he can be efficient with his minutes too. That’s why the 6-foot-4, 190-pounder fits the bill as Washington’s sixth man of the future as long as he keeps progressing.

The Wizards have prioritized player development over winning for Carrington’s entire career, but next season will be a different story. On SI’s Bryson Akins revealed on Wednesday that ESPN’s Bobby Marks told him that “the Wizards know they have to start winning next season, or there could be regime changes happening in Washington,” via the “All Wizards Talk” podcast.

That means that while letting young players average nearly 30 minutes and play through mistakes is helpful for development, the organization will have to change its strategy next year. If winning is the priority, it makes more sense to give the keys to Young, a four-time All-Star who led the NBA with 11.6 assists per game last season.

The 27-year-old is a pure point guard, so it’s clear what position he will play. Sharpshooter Tre Johnson is also a better fit as a starting shooting guard than Carrington, as he could become the first rookie to ever finish the season with a 50 percent field goal clip, 40 percent 3-point clip, and 90 percent free-throw clip.

That scenario leaves Carrington with a bench role, as he doesn’t have the size to play in the frontcourt. But the 2024 No. 14 overall pick has accrued more than enough experience to shine as a sixth man, so that’s not a bad thing.

The Wizards will get to keep experimenting with rotations whenever Young does play this season, which will be a preview of next season. The main differences are that they’re prioritizing keeping their top-eight protected lottery pick instead of winning this year, and whoever they draft with that pick will likely start and/or receive significant minutes right away next season.

Regardless, if Carrington excels coming off the bench when Young starts this year, it’ll show that he deserves to be a part of the later stages of Washington’s rebuild. General manager Will Dawkins explained that the organization’s rebuilding vision is divided into four steps: “deconstruction, laying the foundation, building it up, and then fortifying what we’ve built,” per The Capital Hoop Caucus’s Troy Haliburton.

“Deconstruction” involved trading the biggest names on the team that Dawkins and company inherited from the previous administration, like Bradley Beal, Kristaps Porzingis, Deni Avdija, and Kyle Kuzma. They’re “laying the foundation” this season by developing their draftees like Carrington, Johnson, Sarr, George, and third-year guard Bilal Coulibaly. Acquiring Young before the Feb. 5 Trade Deadline gave them a head start on “building it up,” which means prioritizing winning. Carrington’s experience and development from the second phase have given him the tools to keep him in the fold for the third step, whether he starts or comes off the bench.

The post Wizards rumors: Bub Carrington hit with harsh reality after Trae Young trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The 20-year-old told ClutchPoints postgame how the young Wizards are navigating their new situation without McCollum and Kispert.

Alex Sarr on if the Wizards are figuring it out offensively without CJ McCollum on the team anymore (thread):

“Yeah, obviously when players leave it takes a little bit of time to readjust. It’s a next man up mentality. Whoever plays doing what they gotta do, and I feel like…” pic.twitter.com/NKSo2VjGOe

— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) January 20, 2026

“Yeah, obviously when players leave it takes a little bit of time to readjust,” he said. “It’s a next man up mentality. Whoever plays doing what they gotta do, and I feel like we’re building that chemistry.”

Washington was non-competitive for several straight games since its 131-110 road loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Jan. 7, when McCollum and Kispert sat out prior to the trade occurring postgame. The squad lost four more contests by double digits before falling 121-115 to the Denver Nuggets on the road on Saturday and Monday’s narrow defeat to the Clippers.

That’s because McCollum was integral to the Wizards’ 7-5 stretch over the 12 games before Jan. 7, as he averaged 18.5 points on 47.5 percent shooting with 3.8 assists during that period. The 34-year-old hit clutch shots and was a stabilizing presence for a team with multiple key players below legal drinking age.

Kispert missed the majority of that stretch due to injury, but he still averaged 9.2 points on 49.6 percent shooting (39.5 percent 3-point) over 19.5 minutes in 19 games for Washington this season. Subtracting both McCollum and Kispert without adding anything in the short-term given that Young will sit at least through the All-Star break was a challenging adjustment for the “Wiz Kids,” but the last two games have shown progress.

Not only did both contests come down to the end, but the Wizards’ young building blocks thrived. Second-year wing Kyshawn George became the first player in franchise history to score 29 points with five three-pointers made, seven assists, five rebounds, three blocks, and one steal in a game on Saturday, and he followed up with 18 points (6-16, 2-6 3-point), six rebounds, six assists, and three steals over 34 minutes on Monday. The 22-year-old did log six turnovers overall and missed two shots in the last two minutes, but those clutch-time reps help him grow.

Meanwhile, rookie sharpshooter Tre Johnson bounced back with a 15-point (6-12 FG, 3-7 3-point), five-assist, and no-turnover outing against Los Angeles after scoring just four points on 1-of-10 shooting in Denver. The 19-year-old’s playmaking has taken a jump, as the tape shows below.

Trigga Tre Johnson 15/1/5(0to) on 50/42 splits, team high +14 vs LAC pic.twitter.com/pS5dICElKr

— riley ｼ (@rileyr_) January 20, 2026

Finally, second-year guard Bub Carrington notched 17 points (7-12 FG, 3-7 3-point) with six rebounds, seven assists, and one block over 37 minutes. The Baltimore native also logged five turnovers, but he hit a step-back three to tie the game at 103 with 2:11 left.

With McCollum and Kispert gone, there’s a bigger responsibility on the young core to keep games competitive until Young is back. Veterans like forward Khris Middleton and center Marvin Bagley are still contributing in the meantime, but they don’t have the ball in their hands as much as McCollum did. The latter player had a 23.7 percent usage rate over 35 games with the squad, while Middleton and Bagley are at 18 and 18.1 percent, respectively.

Out of the main rotation players, Sarr leads at 25.2 percent, followed by George (21.3 percent) and Johnson (20.2 percent). Carrington is lower on the list at 16 percent, but he’s second only to George with 28.3 average minutes.

Bub Carrington continues productive stretch after early slump

Carrington hit a wall to start this season after earning Rising Star and Second-Team All-Rookie honors last year, as he shot just 32.4 percent from the field with a 1.8 assist/turnover ratio in October and 36.6 percent with a 1.9 ratio in November. However, the 20-year-old more than doubled his scoring average in December (13.4 points) on a 45.7 percent clip along with a 2.2 assist/turnover ratio.

Carrington has experienced more bumps in the road this month, including a 1-for-11 shooting night in a 119-105 loss to the Clippers on Wednesday. However, the former Pittsburgh Panther has shot at least 45 percent from the field in four of 10 games in January and has had an assist/turnover ratio of at least 3.0 in five.

Carrington spoke about how he’s improved his basketball IQ after Monday’s game.

Bub Carrington on how he’s improved his basketball IQ:

“I’ve been in these situations for a year now. The more I see things, the better I’ll be at them. I think I’ve been showing that a little bit, I just need experience.” pic.twitter.com/VBRcsP88Dt

— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) January 20, 2026

“I’ve been in these situations for a year now, going on two,” he said. “The more I see things, the better I’ll be at them. I think I’ve been showing that a little bit, I just need experience.”

Gaining that experience is helping Carrington and company improve, even if the progression isn’t always linear. Meanwhile, Washington owns the NBA’s third-worst record at 10-32, so it’s staying on pace to keep its top-eight protected pick this summer. The draft lottery system guarantees that the team will keep that selection as long as it finishes with a bottom-four record at the end of the regular season. The Wizards’ pick would go to the New York Knicks if it ended up being ninth or lower.

Up next for the “Wiz Kids” is a home date with the Nuggets on Thursday night.

The post How Alex Sarr, Wizards are ‘finding chemistry’ after Trae Young trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The NBA trade deadline is coming up, and changes could be coming. Newsday’s Steve Popper reported that people around the league are beginning to speculate that the Knicks might consider trading Towns. While a league source told him that they haven’t shopped the center yet, the former first overall pick has been brought up in trade talks with numerous teams.

The Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic, and Memphis Grizzlies were all reported as teams that have shown interest in Towns. The Milwaukee Bucks have long been considered a likely Towns trade destination, too, because the Knicks are viewed as Giannis Antetokounmpo’s preferred trade destination if he ends up committing to a trade request. It still seems unlikely that Towns would be moved, considering his first year in New York was just last season and was arguably his career year. Superstars are traded left and right in the modern NBA, though. So, if Towns were put on the trading block, which teams would serve as his best fit?

7. Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors became a dynasty because of their small-ball philosophy. Fans have long wondered how the team would fare with an interior presence, though. Towns is one of the best centers in the NBA. Making the money work in a trade would be easier said than done for the Warriors, but as a pure fit, he would make some sense for Golden State.

With Stephen Curry on the roster, the Warriors prioritize the 3-point shot. Towns is an elite 3-point shooter who would let the Warriors continue with their style of play. Jimmy Butler just suffered a torn ACL. His contract would likely have to be included to make a trade for Towns work. The Warriors probably can’t reach contention status even after swapping an injured Butler for Towns, though. The Knicks surely wouldn’t want to trade for an injured player anyway.

6. Milwaukee Bucks

A Towns-to-Milwaukee trade probably only happens in a deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo. While that decision would be understandable for the Knicks, considering The Greek Freak is a two-time MVP and one of the best players in the NBA, it would be questionable for the Bucks. Trading for draft capital and young assets would make more sense for the Bucks, but reports suggest that the Bucks would trade their franchise icon to a destination he wants to land in.

Towns’ fit in Milwaukee would be questionable because they already added Myles Turner in the offseason. Both Turner and Towns are great 3-point shooting big men, but they probably can’t share the floor together. A center logjam with two veterans wouldn’t get the Bucks set off on the right trajectory in life after Antetokounmpo, so they’d probably look to flip Towns in another trade if he ended up with the team. Still, they have to be mentioned as a fit because of the Antetokounmpo-for-Towns rumors.

5. Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers were a game away from becoming NBA champions last season. The mighty have fallen ever since, as they are now last in the Eastern Conference standings. Of course, Tyrese Haliburton’s injury is the biggest cause for Indiana’s regression. However, the departure of Myles Turner in free agency hasn’t done the team any favors.

The addition of Towns won’t help the Pacers contend this year, but he’d be a great addition for when the team is again led by Haliburton next season. Haliburton is arguably the best playmaker in the NBA, so Towns would surely benefit from playing alongside him.

4. Memphis Grizzlies

Of the three teams rumored as teams interested in Towns, the Memphis Grizzlies make the least sense, but they’d still be a pretty solid fit for Towns. Assuming he were dealt in a deal for the disgruntled Ja Morant, and not for Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies would have an impressive frontcourt pairing.

Both Towns and Jackson can shoot the three-ball, which would really open up the offense for some creative schemes and play designs. Their combined 3-point expertise would be tough for almost any opposing team to defend, too. Plus, Jackson’s rim protection would pair nicely with Towns.

Towns isn’t a terrible defender inside, but his blocks numbers have been down for a few seasons now. Jackson could cover for him in that regard as a former Defensive Player of the Year and multi-time league leader in blocks. Zach Edey is on Memphis’ roster, too. He has struggled with injuries through two seasons, so Towns’ presence on the roster would help limit his exposure to overuse and provide further insurance if he continues to hurt his ankles.

3. Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards already made the biggest trade of the year, so what is stopping them from making another blockbuster deal? The Wizards dealt next to nothing for Trae Young, so they still have assets to create a package for Towns. Even with Young, Washington is still a ways away from contending.

Another All-Star addition would fast-track their rebuild. The Wizards are loaded with guards and wings. Alex Sarr is the only long-term option inside, though. The former number two pick could play alongside Towns. Defense would certainly be a concern on a Young/Towns-led team, but Washington is still one of his best trade fits.

2. Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets have three players who average 19 points per game. However, they’ve yet to take the next step forward when it comes to winning games. A glaring weakness at the center position is a big reason why. The Hornets are giving their center minutes to Ryan Kalkbrenner, Moussa Diabate, and Mason Plumlee.

Kalkbrenner has been solid during his rookie season, but he still seems best off in reserve duty. Towns would give the Hornets the boost they need. He fits the team’s philosophy, as both the Hornets and Towns like to shoot a lot of shots from beyond the arc. Towns would also surely thrive with an elite and unique passer like LaMelo Ball feeding him the ball, too.

1. Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic have long needed more 3-point shooting. That is why they traded four first-round picks and additional assets to acquire Desmond Bane in the offseason. The ex-Grizzlies wing has improved Orlando’s spacing, but they still rank just 28th in both 3-point makes (11 per game) and 3-point percentage (33.9%).

With Orlando’s two best players, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, being slashers who like to score inside, the Magic need players who thrive beyond the arc. Most centers aren’t great from deep, but Towns is the best 3-point shooting five-man in NBA history, making him the perfect fit for Orlando’s roster.

Now, acquiring Towns’ contract would likely mean including Jalen Suggs in a deal. This might not be the end of the world, though. Not only has Suggs struggled to stay on the floor throughout his career, but both Banchero and Wagner like to operate with the ball in their hands, so the Magic might be able to get away with not dedicating a lot of minutes to typical playmaking point guards. Anthony Black has really started to come on strong in recent months, too.

This is the year to go all in for Eastern Conference teams, so the Magic should trade for Towns before the trade deadline. They are by far his best trade destination.

The post Ranking 7 best Karl-Anthony Towns trade destinations if Knicks press panic button appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Since acquiring Young, a 27-year-old, four-time All-Star whose effort, playstyle, and impact have long been questioned, for the relatively low price of Corey Kispert and C.J. McCollum, the Wizards have become a popular candidate to pull off similar deals for other talented but otherwise inconsistent players. In addition to his fellow 2019 draftee and former AAU teammate Ja Morant, Williamson is among the top names for that kind of trade.

Williamson, a former No. 1 overall draft pick, has struggled with injuries, his weight, and off-court distractions throughout his NBA career, which has seemingly put him on the trade block for the better part of a few years, although the New Orleans Pelicans, who hoped he could replace Anthony Davis’s impact when they drafted him, have been reluctant to ship Williamson out yet.

But if they do so, the Wizards may be in the mix, according to The Athletic’s Josh Robbins.

“With the Young trade as the template of a low-cost trade for a distressed asset, league sources speculated that New Orleans Pelicans big man Zion Williamson would be someone the Wizards would have to consider if the price is right,” Robbins wrote.

“The Pelicans reportedly have told teams they’re not going to trade Williamson, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, Derik Queen or Jeremiah Fears. As it pertains to Williamson only, however, league sources expressed skepticism to The Athletic about that report.

“League sources said they cannot envision any scenario in which Washington would give up one of its own future first-round picks. But one source speculated that a pick owed to the Wizards, such as the least favorable of the Houston Rockets’ (top-four protected), LA Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2026 first-round picks, might satisfy the Pelicans’ goals.”

Robbins did say that Washington pulling off a trade for Williamson “appears to be an extreme long shot,” but he said that he mentioned it in his article because “it was mentioned as a possibility by enough league sources.”

At 10-32, the Wizards are heading to the lottery once again, but they have shown the willingness to trade for imperfect players. In addition to Young, Washington previously acquired Jordan Poole, a streaky scoring guard who found himself on the wrong end of a Draymond Green punch before his final season with the Golden State Warriors. With the Wizards, Poole set career-highs in minutes, points, assists, steals, and 3-point percentage before they coincidentally traded him to the Pelicans this past offseason in a three-team deal that netted Washington McCollum, Cam Whitmore, Kelly Olynyk, and a second-round draft pick.

Williamson, 25, is in the third season of a five-year, $197.2 million contract, although due to various clauses, including weight checks and a minimum for games played, the final two years of his deal (worth $87 million) could be non-guaranteed.

The post NBA rumors: Wizards named as potential Zion Williamson trade suitor, but there’s a catch appeared first on ClutchPoints.

According to a report from Josh Robbins of The Athletic published Monday, league sentiment points toward Middleton remaining with the Wizards through the deadline before ultimately becoming a buyout candidate.

“Middleton, 34, has shown some signs of life lately, but no longer looks like a potential difference-maker for a contending team. The majority of league sources whom The Athletic spoke with said they think Middleton’s most likely outcome is to remain with the Wizards through the deadline and be a buyout candidate.”

Middleton is in the final year of a three-year, $93 million contract and is earning $31 million this season. He is set to enter unrestricted free agency this summer, a factor that has complicated his trade market as the deadline approaches.

Wizards forward Khris Middleton emerges as likely buyout candidate

In his first full season with the Wizards, Middleton has played a measured role as the organization continues to prioritize long-term development. Through 29 appearances, the veteran forward is averaging 9.8 points, four rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 42.9 percent from the field and 32.5 percent from three-point range. He is logging 24.3 minutes per contest as Washington balances veteran experience with opportunities for younger players.

Middleton was acquired by Washington last February from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Kyle Kuzma as part of a broader roster reset. Since then, the Wizards have remained near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings while continuing to evaluate their veteran assets ahead of future roster decisions.

League-wide, Middleton’s contract size and declining on-court impact have made it difficult for contending teams to justify surrendering assets at the deadline. A buyout scenario would allow Middleton to seek a new opportunity later in the season while giving Washington additional financial flexibility.

For now, the Washington Wizards are pressing forward with their schedule following a 110–106 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night. Washington enters Thursday night’s home matchup against the Denver Nuggets (29-14) carrying a 10–32 record and riding a seven-game losing streak. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET on MNMT as the Wizards continue navigating a challenging season amid looming trade deadline decisions.

The post Wizards forward Khris Middleton’s most likely outcome at trade deadline appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Until Young returns to action, the young Wizards will have to figure out how to play winning basketball — with Kyshawn George taking a leap in his second season in the NBA. George has taken on increased playmaking and scoring responsibilities, and while he’s gone through his fair share of ups and downs, the Wizards have to be very impressed with the strides he’s taken. On Saturday night, George went off for 29 points on 10-20 shooting from the field in a 121-115 loss to the Denver Nuggets.

George’s game was so impressive that it caught the eye of Young, who dropped a six-word reaction to the Wizards forward’s play this weekend.

“Young bull is really like that…” Young wrote on his official account on X (formerly Twitter).

Wizards’ young core is taking shape

For the low price of CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, the Wizards got the services of Young, a four-time All-Star and a perennial 20-10 threat whose playmaking makes life easier for the rest of his team.

Young’s defensive issues are well-documented, but the Wizards potentially have the personnel to cover for him. George is a blossoming two-way player, and so is Alex Sarr. Bilal Coulibaly is a certified defensive ace. Even the likes of Tre Johnson and Bub Carrington have showed excellent activity on the defensive end.

The Wizards holding Young out of action also means greater potential for them to have a better pick in this year’s draft, adding further to their young core.

The post Wizards’ Trae Young drops amazed 6-word take on rising teammate appeared first on ClutchPoints.

George is the first player in Wizards history to post that stat line in a game, per Wizards PR. The 22-year-old now has three career games with at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists, last doing so in Washington’s 130-122 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Dec. 20 (28 points, seven rebounds, seven assists). He also joined San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama as the only players aged 22 or younger with 25-plus points, five-plus rebounds, three-plus blocks and five-plus three-pointers made in a single game this season.

Killa Kyshawn George 29/5/7/1s/3b on 50% FG vs Denver pic.twitter.com/UggyrJgPzi

— riley ｼ (@rileyr_) January 18, 2026

George continues to contribute in all phases, as he’s averaging 15.4 points on 46.8 percent (40.1 percent 3-point) with 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, one steal, and 0.9 blocks over 31.2 minutes in the 2025-26 campaign. The former Miami Hurricane also has a 13.7 player efficiency rating, which ranked 122nd in the NBA entering Sunday night’s slate, per Basketball Reference. Player efficiency rating is per-minute production, with the league average being standardized as 15. There are over 500 players who have appeared in a contest this season, putting him in the top fourth, and he’s top-10 among players drafted in 2024.

That’s a promising sign for a non-lottery pick in his second campaign. George is developing into one of the best NBA sophomores despite being the No. 24 overall pick in 2024, making him one of the biggest success stories of the Wizards’ rebuild.

Kyshawn George shows Wizards’ ability to win in margins

The way Washington gradually turned Bradley Beal’s supermax contract into prime Trae Young has been widely covered, but the way it turned veteran center Daniel Gafford into George is less celebrated.

Gafford was drafted No. 38 overall by the Chicago Bulls in 2019, and the Wizards’ previous administration acquired him via trade in March 2021. General manager Will Dawkins and team president Michael Winger then took over in May 2023 with the intention of stripping down the roster and rebuilding with young players they acquired rather than inherited.

Therefore, Gafford wasn’t in their long-term plans. Dawkins and company traded the former Arkansas Razorback to the Dallas Mavericks in February 2024 in exchange for fellow big man Richaun Holmes and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2024 first-round pick.

The New York Knicks then picked George No. 24 overall on draft night, but they dealt him to the Wizards for the No. 26 pick (Dillon Jones) and the No. 51 pick. The Knicks then traded Jones to the Thunder for five future second-rounders.

Now, George will likely appear in the Rising Stars Challenge in February and is a foundational piece for Washington. Meanwhile, the 27-year-old Gafford is averaging 7.8 points on 62.9 percent shooting with 6.5 rebounds across 29.8 minutes for the Mavericks this season, while Jones is with the Portland Trail Blazers’ G League affiliate.

Turning an inherited rotational big man into George is partially luck, but it also shows foresight and developmental skills by the Wizards. Not every move or draft pick the team makes will turn out as well as the Swiss-Canadian has, but the key is to take as many shots on young talent as possible. It’s hard to find future superstars outside of the lottery, but finding hoopers in the margins who can be long-term supporting pieces is essential.

Now, Washington has to land that bona fide star. Getting Young was a start, but his future with the organization is unknown. If it lands a future NBA MVP-level talent in this summer’s lottery, it will be set up to compete for a championship by the end of the decade.

Up next for the Wizards is a home date with the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday afternoon.

The post Kyshawn George makes Wizards franchise history in Nuggets loss appeared first on ClutchPoints.

But if Washington doesn’t land a top-three pick, North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson could be the next-best option. ESPN’s Jeremy Woo had the Wizards picking the 19-year-old freshman fourth overall in his latest mock draft on Tuesday.

“Wilson has remained productive for North Carolina, and his mix of vertical explosiveness, defensive playmaking and room to grow offensively has solidified him as a likely top-five selection,” he wrote. “While there will be important tests ahead for him in conference play, particularly a pair of head-to-head games against Cam Boozer and Duke, Wilson’s energy and winning impact, even with an unpolished offensive game, have been endearing. Teams have questions about his perimeter shooting, something he’ll have a better chance of answering in predraft workouts, but he has created some separation in this next tier of the draft as a potentially versatile frontcourt standout.”

Wilson is averaging 19.9 points on 58.2 percent shooting (25 percent 3-point) with 10.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.4 blocks over 31 minutes for the No. 14 Tar Heels. The 6-foot-10, 215-pounder is sixth in the country in average rebounds and has scored 20-plus points in 12 of his 17 games so far.

“After acquiring Trae Young, the Wizards are still building with a clean slate, although that move could preclude them from targeting a point guard depending on where this pick falls,” Woo continued. “Wilson could fit nicely alongside the improving Alex Sarr up front, creating a team capable of playing fast while also keeping size on the court.”

The mock draft began with the Indiana Pacers selecting Peterson first overall, followed by the Sacramento Kings picking Dybantsa and the Atlanta Hawks snagging Boozer, respectively. Should the Wizards go with Wilson if they don’t land a top-three pick this offseason, assuming he’s available when they’re on the clock? Or could the Georgia native sneak into the top three by then?

Caleb Wilson must develop offensively to justify top-three selection

Wilson would easily be a top-three pick in several previous draft classes, as his ability to guard multiple positions in addition to his productivity as a slasher and his positional size (seven-foot wingspan) all bode well for his future. The 2025 McDonald’s All-American fits the mold of a modern two-way power forward that NBA teams covet.

However, three-point shooting is also paramount in today’s league, and Wilson is just 4-of-16 from beyond the arc this season. The 2025 Mr. Georgia Basketball honoree could develop into a floor-spacer and/or shot creator later on, but the three aforementioned prospects are above him in those areas.

Peterson, Dybantsa, and Boozer can create their own shots as well as open looks for teammates, and they can each thrive on and off the ball. Wilson doesn’t have the handles to consistently be on the ball at the next level right now, so he’ll likely be limited to cutting, setting screens, and play-finishing offensively to start his NBA career.

That skill set would still help Washington, as Young could run the offense while Sarr and Wilson set picks, cut, and finish at the rim. Sarr can also hit three-pointers, as he’s shooting 34.5 percent from deep on 2.9 average attempts this season. Meanwhile, Wilson has shown midrange promise, so he wouldn’t ruin the spacing.

Caleb Wilson vs Stanford tonight..

26 PTS (11-16 FG, 4-7 FTs)
9 REBS
3 AST
2 STLS
1 BLK

Top 3 Pick… pic.twitter.com/CiYUepMRiw

— Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) January 15, 2026

The reason that Peterson, Dybantsa, and Boozer are potentially the best prospect trio over the last 15 seasons is that they’re “passing the eye and statistical tests of grading out as ‘1A prospects,'” per No Celings’ Nathan Grubel. Boozer is a 6-foot-9, 250-pound power forward that can hit threes (36.4 percent clip on 3.9 average attempts), clean the glass (9.7 rebounds), find open teammates (4.1 assists) and score inside.

Meanwhile, Dybantsa and Peterson are both offensive “alphas” who can take over and close games when needed. Dybantsa is third in the nation with 23.1 points per game on 56.1 percent shooting (32 percent 3-point), uses his offensive gravity to set up his teammates (3.7 assists), and can windmill dunk in half-court sets. Additionally, he’s a 6-foot-9, 210-pound freak athlete who’s active on the boards (7.1 rebounds) and has potential as both a one-on-one and help defender.

Friday night’s game against Baylor is only Peterson’s ninth appearance for the Jayhawks this season due to injury, but he’s already shown his ability to score over defenders with ease. The 6-foot-6, 205-pounder was shooting 40 percent from deep on 7.5 average attempts entering the matchup.

In short, landing Wilson would hardly be tragic for the Wizards, but he’s not as likely to develop into the best player on an NBA championship team as the aforementioned trio. At some point, they need to land an unquestioned superstar who will lead them to the promised land.

Ahead of Friday night’s road contest with the Kings, Washington has the NBA’s third-worst record at 10-29. If it finishes the season in the bottom three, then it’ll be tied with the bottom-two teams for the best odds to land a top-three pick (40.1 percent), per Tankathon. If it finishes fourth-worst, which is the highest slot it can finish to guarantee the retention of its top-eight protected pick, the odds drop to 36.6 percent.

If luck evades the Wizards again, they’ll have to try to trade up in the draft or land another veteran star, as Young isn’t a lock to stay long-term. For now, they must hope that the basketball gods make things easy on them for once.

The post Wizards land 19-year-old phenom in ESPN mock draft appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“Washington Wizards guard/forward Cam Whitmore has started the recovery process for a diagnosed venous condition and will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season,” Wizards PR stated. “The team will provide additional updates as appropriate.”

Washington has applied for a disabled player exception, per HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. If granted, the Wizards will be allowed to sign a replacement player for half of Whitmore’s salary or for the amount of the non-taxpayer’s mid-level exception, whichever is lesser, per HoopsRumors. The Maryland native’s club option counts for $3.5 million against the salary cap this season.

Whitmore finishes the 2025-26 campaign with 9.2 points per game on 45.6 percent shooting (28.6 percent 3-point) and 2.8 rebounds over 16.9 minutes in 21 games. The former Villanova Wildcat had three games with 19-plus points and shot 52.3 percent (35.5 percent 3-point) from the field in November.

Whitmore last played in Washington’s 146-101 home loss to the Boston Celtics on Dec. 4. Head coach Brian Keefe said that the Wizards needed to “reevaluate what we’re doing” after the contest, but refused to single out any specific player. However, he then said the 6-foot-6, 230-pounder needed to “live up to certain standards” after their 131-116 home defeat to the Atlanta Hawks on Dec. 6, per The Houston Chronicle’s Varun Shankar. Whitmore was made available pre-game after being listed as “questionable” with an illness on Dec. 5, but didn’t play.

Washington then announced that Whitmore would be out indefinitely with deep vein thrombosis on Dec. 23 after missing the previous two games with “right shoulder soreness.” Keefe told ClutchPoints on Jan. 2 that the 2022 McDonald’s All-American was progressing and “in good spirits,” but “it’s gonna take some time.”

Cam Whitmore’s homecoming season showed potential amid adversity

Whitmore, who went to high school just over 30 miles from the Wizards’ Capital One Arena (originally the MCI Center and Verizon Center after that), grew up a fan of the team and regularly attended games, per Monumental Sports Network. His high-flying dunks and overall slashing ability took him from Severn, Maryland’s Archbishop Spalding High School to the NBA, but he never became a core piece for the Rockets amid injuries and conflict with head coach Ime Udoka over “expectations and buy-in,” per Locked On Rockets’ Jackson Gatlin.

That led to Washington trading for Whitmore over the summer, adding another DMV-area native to its deep stable of young talent. Second-year guard Bub Carrington, of course, hails from Baltimore.

Whitmore got off to a quiet start this season until he notched 19 points (7-13 FG, 3-6 3-point) with three rebounds over 29 minutes in the Wizards’ 111-105 home loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Nov. 8. The 2023 Big East Freshman of the Year admitted to ClutchPoints postgame that he had yet to get used to playing with the team.

I asked Cam Whitmore, who scored a season-high 19 points tonight, if he’s gotten used to playing with the Wizards yet:

“No, not yet. It’s still early…Building chemistry with these guys. Figuring out my role…But I feel like we have a bright future.” pic.twitter.com/iA1TaKKM0f

— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) November 9, 2025

“No, not yet,” he said. “It’s still early, I think the ninth or 10th game…I’m still getting used to the new environment and trying to build chemistry with these guys…Still figuring out what my role is and how I can fit in with these guys, but I feel like we have a bright future to be honest.”

Whitmore then tallied 20 points (6-11 FG, 1-5 3-point) with two rebounds, two steals, and one assist over 29 minutes in a 137-135 overtime loss to the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 10 before notching four more double-digit-scoring games in November. He never fully assimilated into Washington’s motion offense, as he finished the season with just 0.7 assists. However, the following dime to second-year wing Kyshawn George during the Wizards’ 120-109 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Nov. 19 shows what he’s capable of.

its not a highlight dunk but this was easily the best play Cam Whitmore has made as a Wizard imo

Kyshawn finds him, not a single dribble off the catch, leverages his athleticism with a series of jab steps, attacks the paint, draws the defense then back to Kyshawn for a three https://t.co/deCi5tMTwo pic.twitter.com/OwlYA7pvcl

— wonzo (@WonzoTV) November 21, 2025

Whitmore has one year left on his contract, as Washington picked up his 2026-27 team option on Oct. 30. If the front office keeps him in town through next season, he’ll have another chance to excel with the “Wiz Kids,” this time likely alongside four-time All-Star Trae Young and whoever the team drafts in the lottery this summer.

Up next for the Wizards are road dates with the Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets on Friday and Saturday, respectively, before hosting the Los Angeles Clippers and Nuggets. After that, they’ll face the Charlotte Hornets on the road before hosting the Portland Trail Blazers, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Kings, and New York Knicks.

Friday’s game stats at 10:00 p.m. ET at Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center.

The post Wizards’ Cam Whitmore officially out for season with blood clot appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Kyshawn George does it all

The young star makes his case to why he belongs in NBA All-Star Weekend! pic.twitter.com/TdSTW73Dbd

— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 14, 2026

“I can guard multiple positions at a high level. I could shoot the ball at a very high level,” the 22-year-old said. “I can rebound the ball at a high level, and I can create good shots for me and my teammates at a very high level.”

George did all of the above in Washington’s 119-105 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, as he scored a team-high 23 points (9-15 FG, 2-7 3-point) with five rebounds, four assists, and one steal over 32 minutes, all while expending energy guarding superstar forward Kawhi Leonard and providing help defense inside. The two-time NBA Finals MVP notched a game-high 33 points, but shot just 9-of-22 from the field (7-11 3-point).

George now has 13 games with 15 points and five rebounds this season, which is four more than he had as a rookie last year. The former Miami Hurricane also has eight 20-plus-point outings, five more than last season.

Now that veteran guard CJ McCollum is with the Atlanta Hawks due to the Trae Young trade, George is the Wizards’ second-best currently rostered player on their season stat sheet. The 6-foot-8, 200-pounder is behind only second-year center Alex Sarr in average points (14.9), is tied for second with veteran forward Justin Champagnie in rebounds (5.5), and leads with 4.9 assists. He’s also second to Sarr in field goals made (5.5), attempted (11.8), and shooting percentage among players with at least eight average attempts (46.5 percent). He’s also second to second-year guard Bub Carrington in three-point percentage among players with at least one average attempt (40), second behind third-year guard Bilal Coulibaly in steals (one), and tied with Coulibaly for second in blocks (0.9).

George ranks third among the 2024 draft class in points per game this season while leading with 31.4 minutes. The Swiss native is also fourth in field goal percentage among players with at least 10 average attempts and third in three-point percentage among those averaging five attempts from downtown. On top of that, he’s fifth in average assists, ninth in true shooting (58.2 percent), and tied for fifth in average steals.

In other words, George is worthy of being in the Rising Stars Challenge, a game that highlights the NBA’s best rookies and sophomores during All-Star Weekend. The Wizards sent Sarr, Coulibaly, and Carrington to the contest last season, but George wasn’t selected after getting off to a slow start in his rookie campaign. However, he along with Sarr, Carrington, and rookie sharpshooter Tre Johnson could form a quartet of “Wiz Kids” to represent Washington at the event.

Kyshawn George touts do-it-all skillset on national TV

George has established himself as a jack-of-all-trades this season, contributing in every facet of the game even on subpar shooting nights. It takes maturity for a young player to stay engaged on both ends when they’re not always scoring, so that mindset and versatility bode well for his future. It’s harder for coaches to consistently sit a player when they always bring something positive to the table.

2006 No. 8 overall pick Rudy Gay asked George on the NBA TV segment what type of player he envisions himself developing into.

“Man. I used to be a point guard growing up. I was really short, grew up late,” he said. “I used to have the ball in my hands a lot, making reads in the pick-and-roll. Playing against pros in France, you learn the different types of schemes. Being able to create for myself and my teammates at a super high level, whether it’s on-ball coming off a pin down, just being able to create that advantage and use my IQ and size to be able to create a good shot for our team.”

“So scorer, facilitator, everything,” Gay replied.

“Everything,” George repeated.

It’s one thing for an NBA player to express confidence in interviews, and it’s another to back it up with results. George’s NBA TV appearance and subsequent performance in the Clippers game were snapshots of how far he’s come since shooting just 34.7 percent from the field (27.8 percent 3-point) in November 2024. Back then, he was overlooked nationally as a struggling non-lottery-pick rookie on a losing team, and now he’s impossible to miss for any basketball fans who are paying attention.

Up next for George and the Wizards are road contests against the Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets on Friday and Saturday, respectively. After that, they’ll rematch the Clippers at home on Monday.

The post Wizards’ Kyshawn George makes case for All-Star Weekend debut on NBA TV appeared first on ClutchPoints.

According to Clippers beat writer Joey Linn, Lue said, “The mode he’s in right now, it’s like coaching Kawhi in the playoffs. He gets to the playoffs, he goes to the next level. Ever since that Laker game, I thought he’s going to that next level. Every single night willing us through. It’s been huge for us as far as winning games.” That turning point came on December 20, when the Clippers beat the Los Angeles Lakers 103–88. Leonard led that night with 32 points and 12 rebounds. That aggression never faded.

Against the Wizards, he was in full control again. Leonard poured in 33 points on 9-of-22 shooting, hit 7-of-11 from three, and went a perfect 8-of-8 at the line. He added three rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Every run felt guided by him. Every stop felt personal.

Kawhi is dragging the Clippers back into the race

Kawhi Leonard’s season numbers match the eye test. Through 30 games, he is averaging 28.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting 49.7 percent from the field and 39.9 percent from deep. His 94.1 percent free-throw mark shuts the door late. His 2.2 steals per game keep pressure high.

The Clippers are still chasing the playoff line, but belief has returned. “Playoff” Kawhi Leonard is forcing the issue. Lue believes in the shift. Under the lights, Los Angeles is starting to feel dangerous again. So how far can this version of Kawhi really take them?

The post Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard gets ‘playoff mode’ take from Tyronn Lue after beating Wizards appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Unfortunately, Washington fans will have to wait quite a bit for Young to make his debut with the team, per a recent report from ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania.

“New Washington Wizards star Trae Young is still recovering from MCL and quad injuries on the same leg and will be re-evaluated after the mid-February All-Star break, sources tell ESPN. The Wizards are taking a cautious approach with the injuries to their new trade acquisition,” reported Charania on X, formerly Twitter.

Some have speculated that the Wizards would be extra careful with Young this season, not only to preserve his health in the long-term, but also because if Washington’s pick ends up outside the top 8 in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft, it will go to the New York Knicks, meaning the team is heavily incentivized to keep the winning to a minimum this year.

Still, once Young is in the lineup, he should be able to help some of the young players on the Wizards develop their talent and turn the team into a competitive squad sooner rather than later.

The Wizards will next take the floor on Wednesday evening on the road against the Los Angeles Clippers as they continue their road trip.

The post Wizards’ Trae Young out through All-Star break with knee, quad injuries appeared first on ClutchPoints.

This is because the Wizards see Young as a potential long-term fit, so they took a calculated risk to get their first star since Bradley Beal averaged 23.2 points over 50 games for them in the 2022-23 season. Dawkins and company traded the latter player to the Phoenix Suns in the summer of 2023 to kick off their rebuild, starting a chain of moves that led to them getting Young.

Now, Washington has just over three weeks to pry more draft capital from teams looking to move off negative contracts. The NBA Trade Deadline is on Feb. 5, and the organization is keeping its options open, per ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel.

“As far as the trade deadline goes, the Wizards are open to helping facilitate trades for draft assets,” Siegel reported on Monday.
“The Wizards would have no problems trading Khris Middleton or Malaki Branham, and Marvin Bagley III could generate some interest as a productive secondary big man on a minimum contract.”

The Wizards already have their 2026 top-eight protected first-round pick, which will be owned by the New York Knicks until the Wizards land a top-eight lottery pick in May. Washington will guarantee that outcome if it finishes with a bottom-four record in the NBA standings, and it’s currently fourth-worst at 10-28 with 44 games left.

The organization also has what will likely be the Oklahoma City Thunder’s first-round pick, a first-round pick swap with the Suns, and four second-rounders this summer, per RealGM. The Phoenix swap likely won’t be used since the Suns are sixth in the Western Conference at 24-15, but it will give the Wizards two chances at a top-three pick if the Suns miss the playoffs. BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, and Duke’s Cameron Boozer could all be franchise cornerstones for Washington, so having higher odds of landing one of them is the ideal scenario.

Even with Young’s $46 million salary now on the books, the Wizards still have the financial leverage to get another team’s 2026 first-rounder, which would guarantee another chance at a top-three selection if that team misses the postseason. If it ended up as a non-lottery pick, it would still give Washington another asset to use in a potential trade down the line.

The Toronto Raptors are the perfect trade partners for this arrangement.

Wizards should absorb Immanuel Quickley’s contract for picks

Toronto has perhaps the NBA’s worst contract on its books: Immanuel Quickley’s five-year, $162.5 million deal. The 26-year-old is on the second year of the agreement and will make $32.5 million each season from now through 2029.

Quickley, a 6-foot-2 guard, is averaging 16.5 points on 42.3 percent shooting (35.3 percent 3-point) with 4.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists over 32.5 minutes this season. The former Kentucky Wildcat could be a valuable backcourt depth piece for a championship-caliber team, but his production isn’t worth his contract.

That’s why the Raptors want to move off Quickley in hopes of landing a star alongside Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram, per Siegel.

“Before he suffered a hand injury, Anthony Davis was a player the Raptors held internal discussions about pursuing. Domantas Sabonis, Ja Morant, and Trey Murphy III are other options this organization has also considered, sources said,” he reported.
“The Raptors are clearly operating as buyers right now, and it appears as if the organization is more willing than ever before to move starting point guard Immanuel Quickley.”

“Jamal Shead has emerged as a key guard in head coach Darko Rajakovic’s rotations, and Quickley’s cap figure would be the key to this franchise making a key upgrade at the trade deadline,” he continued. “Early indications surrounding the Raptors also suggest they would be open to moving their first-round pick in this year’s draft for an established win-now talent as well.”

That “established win-now talent” won’t come from Washington, but the Memphis Grizzlies could send Morant to Toronto as part of a three-team trade. The two-time All-Star is no longer happy in Memphis and “things are trending” toward him getting shipped out, via Siegel. However, the Grizzlies won’t let him go without getting either draft capital or young talent in return.

Here’s a deal that makes sense for each side:

Wizards get:

• G Immanuel Quickley (via Raptors)
• 2026 first-round pick (via Raptors)
• 2028 first-round pick (via Raptors)

Grizzlies get:

• F Khris Middleton (via Wizards)
• G Gradey Dick (via Raptors)
• G AJ Johnson (via Wizards)

Raptors get:

• G Ja Morant (via Grizzlies)

Sending Middleton’s $32.2 million expiring salary to Memphis helps make the money work in this trade, per FanSpo’s NBA Trade Machine. Meanwhile, the Wizards net two first-round picks from the Raptors as payment for absorbing Quickley’s deal, which allows the latter team to land a superior player in Morant, past suspensions and injuries notwithstanding. Finally, the Grizzlies get Dick and Johnson, two former first-round picks on rookie contracts who have yet to break out, but are still developing.

Toronto, which sits fourth in the East at 24-16 ahead of Monday night’s home date with the Philadelphia 76ers, would likely make the playoffs with a roster centered around Morant, Barnes, and Ingram. However, Washington could still package the picks from this deal along with other assets to move up in this summer’s draft if necessary.

Having Quickley around as part of its guard rotation, albeit on a bad contract, for the foreseeable future would be a bonus. The Wizards could add him as a complementary piece to a core centered around whoever they draft in the top-eight this summer, Young, Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson, Kyshawn George, Bilal Coulibaly, and Bub Carrington moving forward. Regardless, the roster will likely be talented enough to make the Play-In Tournament at the very least next year, which would give the Wizards a chance to make the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

The post What Wizards must do next after massive Trae Young trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Now, NBA insider Marc Stein has added some additional context to what the future may hold between Young and Washington in the aftermath of the trade.

“…there are already rumbles about Young ultimately securing a two-year extension from the Wizards … no matter how much or how little he plays for the rest of the season with Washington desperate to hold onto a first-round pick that is only top-eight protected,” reported Stein on his Substack.

Stein also noted that “Atlanta’s well-known reluctance to extend Young’s contract in the summer was the first domino that led to this week’s Trae-to-DC trade materializing before his eighth season as a Hawk had even reached the halfway point.”

Indeed, the Hawks declined to extend Young’s contract this past offseason, which in many ways seemed to spell the beginning of the end of the partnership between the two sides.

Meanwhile, the Wizards have been looking for someone who can help bring out the best in some of their young offensive players, and Young certainly fits that bill, having helped journeymen like Kevin Huerter and John Collins look like legitimate NBA starters during his time with the Hawks.

As Stein pointed out, it remains to be seen how much Young will play this year in Washington as he recovers from multiple injuries, and as the Wizards look to maximize their position in what could be a loaded 2026 NBA Draft.

The Wizards are next set to take the floor on Wednesday evening on the road against the Los Angeles Clippers.

The post Wizards rumors: Trae Young contract extension ‘rumbles’ pop up after trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Wall, who was Washington’s last great point guard before it acquired Young from the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, discussed how Young can mesh with second-year center Alex Sarr on Monumental Sports Network’s “Wizards Pregame Live.”

“I think the biggest thing for him is to come with his leadership. That’s what they want to see from him…I want Alex Sarr to go in and ask questions,” the 2014 NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion said. “Kinda like how me and [Marcin] Gortat had the situation with the pick-and-roll. We know Trae Young can pass the ball, get into the paint, do all those things. I want Alex to ask him, ‘How can I get better at this? How do I read this coverage? When do I pop, when do I roll?'”

Gortat, nicknamed “the Polish Hammer,” played with Wall in Washington from 2013-18, which is the organization’s most successful five-year period of the 21st century thus far. The Wizards never finished below .500 throughout those years and made four playoff appearances, including three Eastern Conference Semifinals berths. They nearly made the conference finals in 2017, but lost 115-105 to the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the conference semifinals.

Gortat was the center, and his chemistry with Wall was one of the main reasons why the team was competitive over that time. Gortat averaged 11.6 points on 55.5 percent shooting as a Wizard and signed a five-year, $60 million extension in July 2014, the richest contract he ever received. The 2005 second-round pick did not have a deep bag offensively, but he and Wall’s pick-and-roll game created open looks at the basket.

Conversely, Sarr is already developing into an offensive force in addition to being an elite rim protector. Entering Sunday night’s road date with the Phoenix Suns, the 20-year-old is averaging 17.3 points on 50.3 percent shooting (35.7 percent 3-point) and three assists over 28.2 minutes despite not having a true point guard to set the table for him before the Wizards traded for Young. Young (quad, MCL) is out indefinitely, but Wall wants him and Sarr to discuss their pick-and-roll strategy in the meantime. If they do, they each have the talent to take Washington further than Wall and Gortat did.

“So I think everything he’s saying is perfect,” Wall said about Young’s presser. “All that stuff you heard about him not being a good locker room guy in Atlanta — he’s trying to change that now. He wants to show people he can be that guy, the leader, the one who gets us back to the playoffs, maybe even back to the Eastern Conference Finals like he did in Atlanta.”

Trae Young touts leadership goals with Wizards

As Wall alluded to, there were several reports over the years that Young didn’t always mesh with his teammates in Atlanta, a rumor repeated by Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus on the “Buha’s Block” podcast in 2024.

“His reputation is as such that – he’s not necessarily loved by his teammates,” Pincus said of Young. “That’s the buzz. And I don’t like to say negative things, but it’s pretty overwhelming. I guess the intel on Trae is that his teammates don’t enjoy playing with him.”

But Wall was pleased with Young’s pledge to help Washington’s young core be the best it can be on Friday.

"Just being able to have an impact on my teammates… I feel like I did a good job of that as a young player in Atlanta so being able to be a vet with these young guys here."

Trae Young on what he can to bring to a young Wizards team

(via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/WK9oFzL0BY

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 9, 2026

“Just being able to have an impact on my teammates,” Young said about what he brings to the Wizards. “I feel like I did a good job of that as a young player in Atlanta, so being able to be a vet with these young guys here.”

Time will tell if Young positively impacts Sarr, third-year guard Bilal Coulibaly, rookie guard Tre Johnson, second-year wing Kyshawn George, second-year guard Bub Carrington, and the Wizards’ other young players, but the fact that he named being a positive example for them as one of the main ways he can help the organization is promising. While the 27-year-old isn’t a finished product himself, his experience leading Atlanta to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals and two other playoff appearances gives him knowledge that will be useful to the “Wiz Kids.”

Part of that knowledge is how point guards and centers can be effective pick-and-roll and alley-oop partners, as Young and former Hawks center Clint Capela had chemistry similar to Wall and Gortat. Capela averaged 11.8 points on 59.9 percent shooting over five seasons alongside the former Oklahoma Sooner, and his two-year, $45.4 million extension with Atlanta in September 2021 was the richest of his career. Sarr is also more talented than Capela, so imagine what the French international could do alongside Young, who led the NBA with 11.6 assists per game last season.

None of this guarantees prosperity for Young’s Wizards, but history shows that his arrival in the nation’s capital is worth being excited about for the fanbase.

The post John Wall wants Alex Sarr to ask Trae Young these questions after Wizards trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Young would take to social media to share his new jersey with Washington, including a number change from 11 to three, which garnered the attention of many athletes. The two ones that stood out were CJ McCollum, who was sent to the Atlanta Hawks along with Corey Kispert in the trade, and also Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, both having “comments of support.”

“CJ McCollum, Gilbert Arenas, and Bijan Robinson all shared comments of support on Instagram for Trae Young yesterday,” Sleeper Wizards wrote on X.

“Take care of that nunber my brotha,” McCollum wrote when replying to Young’s comments on Instagram.

CJ McCollum, Gilbert Arenas, and Bijan Robinson all shared comments of support on Instagram for Trae Young yesterday during his Wizards #3 jersey reveal

(: @TheTraeYoung on IG) pic.twitter.com/AUIj42xw5g

— SleeperWizards (@SleeperWizards) January 10, 2026

Young would be introduced on Friday to the media and the team, already mentioning the ways he can impact the Wizards, like being a productive veteran, in the same way he affected the team as a young player with Atlanta.

“Just being able to have an impact on my teammates,” Young said. “I feel like I did a good job of that as a young player in Atlanta, so being able to be a vet with these young guys here.”

"Just being able to have an impact on my teammates… I feel like I did a good job of that as a young player in Atlanta so being able to be a vet with these young guys here."

Trae Young on what he can to bring to a young Wizards team

(via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/WK9oFzL0BY

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 9, 2026

There’s no denying that Young was happy to be sent to Washington, explaining what it felt like to put on the jersey, while also explaining the number change.

“It was surreal, different, it was special,” Young said. “[No. 3] was my freshman year of high school number, so I turned it back.”

"It was surreal, different, it was special… I'm just embracing everything about this place… [No. 3] was my freshman year of high school number."

Trae Young on putting on his Wizards jersey for the first time and wearing jersey #3

(via @NBA)

pic.twitter.com/HEZous1KFi

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 9, 2026

It remains to be seen when Young debuts for the Wizards.

The post Wizards’ Trae Young gets major props from CJ McCollum, Bijan Robinson for jersey announcement appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Second-year wing Kyshawn George told ClutchPoints postgame how Young (quad, MCL) can help him and the Wizards.

I asked Kyshawn George how Trae Young can help him and the Wizards (thread):

“I don’t know his exact resume, but he’s a really good basketball player. He can shoot, he can pass, he can create advantages. Being able to attract defense to him and be a great passer…” pic.twitter.com/EUICuzv5fF

— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) January 10, 2026

“I don’t know his exact resume, but he’s a really good basketball player,” the 22-year-old said. “He can shoot, he can pass, he can create advantages. Being able to attract defense to him and be a great passer. I think he’s gonna make us better.”

Young’s numbers back up George’s statement, as he averages 25.2 points and 9.8 assists over his career and led the NBA with 11.6 assists per game last season. Acquiring the 27-year-old was a landmark moment for General Manager Will Dawkins and company, as he’s both the first star and the first true point guard the team has gotten since this administration took over in the 2023 offseason.

However, as Dawkins mentioned during Young’s presser, there are two sides to every trade. George spoke on what he’ll miss about veterans CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, who Washington dealt to the Atlanta Hawks for Young on Wednesday.

“Off the court, and even on the court, Corey is a really good guy…Good person, joyful, happy to come to work, working hard, great intentions,” the former Miami Hurricane said. “Same for CJ. I think they’re anchors in the sense that you know what you’re gonna get from them every single day, and they hold that baseline.”

Kispert was the Wizards’ last remaining player drafted by former General Manager Tommy Sheppard, and McCollum helped show the young core the ropes as one of the NBA’s more accomplished veterans. The latter player not only averaged 20-plus points per game for 10 straight seasons entering 2025-26, but he is the former President and Vice President of the NBA Player’s Association, so he’s as good as it gets for leadership on and off the court.

Off the court, McCollum shared wise nuggets like telling rookie sharpshooter Tre Johnson that he needs non-basketball hobbies to keep himself sane, per Monumental Sports Network. On the court, the 34-year-old averaged 18.8 points on 45.4 percent shooting (39.3 percent 3-point) with 3.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists over 35 games and was one of the main reasons why Washington was 7-5 over its previous 12 contests entering Wednesday night’s 131-110 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, which both he and Kispert sat for ahead of the trade being announced.

McCollum made an impact despite only being with the team since last summer, but Kispert witnessed the organizational revolution from the Sheppard to Dawkins eras. The Wizards went from a middling, veteran-led team to a squad focused on development for rookie contract players in a full-scale rebuild.

While Kispert never experienced a winning season in the nation’s capital, he aided and empowered the “Wiz Kids”  whenever he could. The former Gonzaga Bulldog spoke to ClutchPoints about advice he gave the young core that he saw it follow during the aforementioned winning stretch after the Wizards’ 141-115 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.

I asked Corey Kispert if there was any advice he gave the Wizards’ young players that he saw them follow over the last few games (thread):

“Yeah I mean, they are unbelievably confident. I tend to give advice to guys who feel like they’re kind of a deer in headlights…” pic.twitter.com/7H0zeXoyMQ

— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) January 5, 2026

“Yeah I mean, they are unbelievably confident. I tend to give advice to guys who feel like they’re kind of a deer in headlights
or not really sure what they’re doing,” he said. “But these guys are ready to play hard right now. Just little stuff, that’s all they need. How to move off the ball, when to cut, when to space, how to get guys’ hands off of you.”

“When you’re an elite shooter, people are really close to you all the time, like Velcro,” he continued. “So you gotta create that space to free up your game. Little stuff like that. It’s not anything revolutionary or mind-blowing. These guys have a really good coaching staff, good support systems. I just try to be a part of that.”

Young may not be able to fill the leadership void left by McCollum and Kispert alone, but he said all the right things during Friday’s presser.

Trae Young details how he will mesh with Wizards

Young identified specific ways he can form an effective partnership with Washington’s young building blocks.

Trae Young on how he can mesh with the Wizards’ young core:

“I know as soon as I run a PnR with Alex…or when I see Bilal cutting, that builds chemistry. That builds trust. And they gotta know I give effort on the other end too.” pic.twitter.com/WBXz0teY5z

— Bijan Todd (@bijan_todd) January 9, 2026

“For me, one of my favorite players growing up was Steve Nash and Chris Paul as well. I always learned that the ball brings energy, so that’s why I love passing,” the former All-NBA honoree said. “I know as soon as I run a pick-and-roll with Alex [Sarr], I give a little drop-off to a dunk or a lob, or I see Bilal [Coulibaly] cutting and gets the ball, and he’s not cutting just to cut, that builds chemistry. That builds trust, and they gotta know I give effort on the other end too. They’re gonna see that, and that’s how you build trust with your teammates. That’s something that will happen over time, we’ll play with each other and continue to get those reps up.”

If Young consistently creates open looks for Sarr, George, Coulibaly, Johnson, and others, it will make their jobs easier and increase their confidence, which will help their development. There’s no telling how much the former Oklahoma Sooner will play over the remainder of the season as he recovers from injuries, but Washington fans can dream about him cooking with the “Wiz Kids” in the meantime.

Friday’s game was like seasoning on top of the steak, as Baltimore native Derik Queen notched a triple-double for the Pelicans in his return to the DMV area, while his teammate and former Wizard Jordan Poole got booed every time he touched the ball in a scoreless outing after he previously called Capital One Arena “dead” during his time with the squad. On top of that, oft-injured New Orleans star Zion Williamson scored 31 points (12-14 FG) over 29 minutes in just his second career game at the arena, and Johnson (No. 6 overall pick) went toe-to-toe with No. 7 overall pick Jeremiah Fears.

Most importantly for Washington, it lost another contest as it continues its mission to retain its 2026 top-eight protected lottery pick. Once the Wizards finish in the bottom four of the NBA standings this season, they will guarantee the retention of that selection and dream about putting a star prospect alongside Young and their young core.

The post Wizards’ Kyshawn George reveals Trae Young ‘advantages’ after Pelicans loss appeared first on ClutchPoints.

While fans process the news, the four-time All-Star point guard is expressing excitement and gratitude upon arriving in Washington D.C. His rebirth will include a new jersey number. Young will switch to No. 3 since Elvin Hayes’ No. 11 is retired by the franchise. He explained the significance of the number during his introductory press conference with the Wizards, while also sharing how it felt to put on his new uniform.

“It was surreal, different, it was special,” the 27-year-old told reporters. “[No. 3] was my freshman year of high school number.. so I turned it back.”

"It was surreal, different, it was special… I'm just embracing everything about this place… [No. 3] was my freshman year of high school number."

Trae Young on putting on his Wizards jersey for the first time and wearing jersey #3

(via @NBA)

pic.twitter.com/HEZous1KFi

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 9, 2026

What could Trae Young do for the Wizards?

Young is looking forward to donning No. 3 in his first game for Washington, but it is presently unclear when he will get such an opportunity. The 2021-22 All-NBA Third-Team selection is currently nursing a sprained MCL, which he first suffered in October, and a quad contusion. He is not playing in Friday night’s home matchup versus the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Wizards will send their 2026 draft pick to the New York Knicks if they fall outside the top-eight in the lottery, so some fans are confused by the timing of this trade. Well, they received a little more clarity on Friday. Josh Robbins of The Athletic does not think the team is overly worried about seeing Trae Young “compile a bunch of reps” with the existing roster. The former NBA assist leader’s health status could enable management to keep him on the sidelines.

There will be plenty of backlash if such a scenario comes to pass, but it seems like the Wizards value Young most for what he can do for them going forward. Assuming he accepts the $49 million player option in his contract for next season, the new No. 3 could have an elevating effect on Washington’s young core. He can form an impactful duo with center Alex Sarr and help nudge along guards Bub Carrington and Tre Johnson in their respective developmental phases.

After a thrilling trip to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, Young was unable to elevate the Hawks like many hoped. His high-volume, low-efficiency style of offense seemingly has a ceiling. But he can still push the Wizards through their rebuild. There will likely be a fair amount of enthusiasm in Capital One Arena when Trae Young represents Washington for the first time.

The post Wizards’ Trae Young reveals rationale behind new number post-trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

During his introductory press conference with the franchise, the 27-year-old point guard claimed he looks forward to making an impact with the Wizards and his teammates. He seems excited to go from being a talented young player on a roster to now being a veteran presence for a young roster.

“Just being able to have an impact on my teammates,” said Young… “I feel like I did a good job of that as a young player in Atlanta, so being able to be a vet with these young guys here.”

"Just being able to have an impact on my teammates… I feel like I did a good job of that as a young player in Atlanta so being able to be a vet with these young guys here."

Trae Young on what he can to bring to a young Wizards team

(via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/WK9oFzL0BY

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 9, 2026

Young joins a Wizards team consisting of young players such as Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, and Alex Sarr. Being in Washington gives the four-time All-Star a fresh start with a team still trying to find its identity.

Unfortunately, Trae Young is currently dealing with a quad injury that’s kept him out for most of the 2025-26 season. However, there is a belief he could return soon, as he is considered day to day. Ideally, Young returns to form and the Wizards get a massive boost in production at the point guard position.

Only time will tell when he finally does return to action and make his debut in Washington. Until then, the club will have to wait for a guard who owns career averages of 25.2 points, 9.8 assists, and 1.0 steals per game, who owns a 43.2% field goal percentage and 35.1% three-point percentage.

The post Trae Young ‘super excited’ to be vet to Wizards’ young players appeared first on ClutchPoints.

*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)*

Trey Murphy III injury status vs. Wizards

Given that Trey Murphy III is questionable on the injury report, it’s difficult to gauge if he’ll be cleared to play before tip-off. Pelicans’ Murphy III is having a breakout season, which includes him making franchise history after scoring seven threes in a 125-106 loss to the Heat.

Coming off a career-high 42-point performance against the Lakers on Tuesday, Murphy III could miss a game before offering a follow-up. After scoring 27 points in a 125-106 loss to the Heat, Trey went off throughout his career night, connecting on 14-of-26 attempts, including six threes against the Lakers. The Pelicans are on a nine-game losing streak.

While Murphy III has continued to play at a high level for the Pelicans, his efforts haven’t translated into a win since December 22, when he scored 11 points in a 119-113 victory against the Mavericks. He’s averaging 34.5 points on 53.3% shooting, including 40.6% from deep, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in his last two games for the Pelicans.

However, when it comes to whether Trey Murphy III is playing tonight vs. the Wizards, the answer is maybe.

Pelicans injury report

Jose Alvarado — Out — Left oblique; soreness

Saddiq Bey — Out — Right hip flexor; strain

Herb Jones — Out — Right ankle; sprain

Trey Murphy III — Questionable — Low back; spasms

Dejounte Murray — Out — Right Achilles; rupture

Wizards injury report

Cam Whitmore — Out — Right shoulder; deep vein thrombosis

Trae Young — Out — Right quad; contusion

The post Is Trey Murphy III playing tonight? Pelicans vs. Wizards injury report appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Young is still recovering from a quad contusion, and is in no rush to return, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

“The Wizards say Trae Young will not debut with his new team tonight due to his recent quad contusion and ongoing recovery from a knee sprain. The expectation is that Washington — with its first-round pick only top-eight protected — will bring him back slowly from these injuries,” Stein reports.

Young will No. 3 for the Wizards, as his No. 11 is retired in honor of Hall of Fame forward Elgin Baylor.

Wizards GM Will Dawkins reacts to Trae Young trade

Wizards GM Will Dawkins addressed his trade for Trae Young as a no-brainer for his team’s future. Dawkins thanked CJ McCollum and Corey Krispert for their time with the organization, while welcoming Young to the District with open arms.

“We are excited to welcome Trae Young to the Washington Wizards. It is a rare opportunity to acquire a player of Trae’s skill, accomplishments, and age,” he said. “Trae plays an exciting brand of basketball brings a level of confidence and competitiveness that has set him apart in this league.”

“We thank Corey and CJ for being consummate professionals during their time in Washington,” he continued. “Though they spent varying time here, both left a lasting impact on this organization that we hope our players carry forward.”

The Wizards will look to bounce back from their 131-110 loss to the 76ers.

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Wizards general manager Will Dawkins offered a statement in the team’s press release.

“We are excited to welcome Trae Young to the Washington Wizards. It is a rare opportunity to acquire a player of Trae’s skill, accomplishments, and age,” he said. “Trae plays an exciting brand of basketball and brings a level of confidence and competitiveness that has set him apart in this league.”

“We thank Corey and CJ for being consummate professionals during their time in Washington,” he continued. “Though they spent varying time here, both left a lasting impact on this organization that we hope our players carry forward.”

Team owner Ted Leonsis also released a statement on social media.

“Welcome to DC and the Washington Wizards, Trae Young! Kudos to [team president] Michael Winger, Will Dawkins and the entire front office for their leadership, discipline and long-term vision as they continue building #ForTheDistrict,” he said. “Thank you as well to CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert for their contributions to the Wizards on the court and in our community.”

Washington will hold an introductory press conference with Young and Dawkins before its home game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday evening.

Trae Young ushers in new Wizards era

Young might not stay in Washington long-term, but his arrival is exciting for the city nonetheless. Save for former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook’s one-season stint with the team in the 2020-21 campaign, the Wizards haven’t had a player on his level since John Wall and Bradley Beal, who led them to the Eastern Conference Semifinals three times from 2012 to 2020.

Washington traded Wall to the Houston Rockets for Westbrook in December 2020, who led it to the first round of the 2020-21 playoffs alongside Beal. It then dealt Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers in August 2021, and the franchise has yet to reach the playoffs or have a winning season since.

The Wizards hired Dawkins and Winger after the 2022-23 season and traded Beal to the Phoenix Suns for Chris Paul, who they then rerouted to the Golden State Warriors. Washington got Jordan Poole in exchange for Paul, who it then traded to the Pelicans for McCollum last offseason. Finally, the organization dealt McCollum and Kispert for Young on Wednesday.

Young, who averages 25.2 points and 9.8 assists over his career, is one of the best players in Hawks history. The 27-year-old led them to the 2020-21 Eastern Conference Finals as well as two other playoff appearances after they acquired him from the Dallas Mavericks on draft night in 2018 for Luka Doncic. He’s making $46 million this season and has a $49 million player option next season.

Young (quad contusion, MCL sprain) won’t play against New Orleans on Friday (per the Wizards’ injury report) and has only played 10 games this season. However, the Texas native introduced himself to Washington fans before his presser on Friday, via the team’s social media.

Shoutout from @TheTraeYoung to y'all, D.C. fam pic.twitter.com/APMhCALcBz

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) January 9, 2026

“D.C. fam, I’m excited. I hope you are too,” Young said as he showed himself wearing a Wizards jersey. “Let’s get to it.”

The Wizards-Pelicans game tips off at 7:00 p.m. at Capital One Arena.

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On the latest episode of The Zach Lowe Show, NBA analyst Zach Lowe suggested that Washington’s trade for Young could retroactively justify selecting Alex Sarr over Stephon Castle, despite growing consensus that Castle should have been the top pick in the draft.

“There is no doubt that he is going to help Sarr,” Lowe said. “I mean we’ve seen Trae get centers paid with lob dunks and spot-up threes. For a guy like John Collins when he was playing the four. He’ll get Sarr easier buckets than Sarr is getting now. By the way, I’m super high on Sarr. I know Castle is now the consensus, like he should’ve been the number one pick in that draft. If you told me who has the better career between Sarr and Castle, I’m not 100% convinced the answer is Castle. I think Sarr can be that good.”

Washington officially completed the trade Friday, sending CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Young. While the move drew immediate attention for its long-term implications, Lowe framed it as a potential developmental accelerator for Sarr, whom the Wizards selected with the No. 2 overall pick.

Lowe acknowledged that post-draft sentiment has shifted sharply in Castle’s favor. The former No. 4 pick has emerged as the perceived headliner of the class, fueled by early production and team success with the San Antonio Spurs. However, Lowe maintained that Sarr’s ceiling remains comparable, particularly alongside an elite playmaking guard.

Trae Young trade adds new layer to Alex Sarr–Stephon Castle draft debate

The draft debate has only grown more layered with Atlanta’s selection of Zaccharie Risacher at No. 1, giving Young’s former team its own stake in how the class is ultimately judged.

Sarr, 20, has delivered strong early returns despite Washington’s struggles. Through 27 games, he is averaging 17.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, three assists, and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 50.4 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from three-point range. He is playing 28.3 minutes per contest for a Wizards team sitting 14th in the Eastern Conference at 10–26.

Castle, meanwhile, has continued to build his résumé with San Antonio. The 21-year-old guard is averaging 17.7 points, 6.9 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 48.2 percent from the field across 28 games. His play has helped lift the Spurs to a 26–11 record, good for second in the Western Conference standings.

Despite the excitement surrounding the pairing, Young’s impact in Washington may not be immediate. With the New York Knicks controlling the Wizards’ first-round pick, organizational priorities remain focused on long-term development rather than short-term wins. League expectations are that Young’s on-court role could be limited this season, with the true evaluation of the Young–Sarr partnership likely beginning next year.

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With the deal made official on Friday, with Washington trading CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert for Young, Young would take to social media and share a look at the jersey he will wear for the foreseeable future.

It’s official #TRA3 @WashWizards pic.twitter.com/Aikewfkwjc

— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) January 9, 2026

In a press release from the team, general manager Will Dawkins expressed how eager they are to welcome the four-time All-Star to the team.

“We are excited to welcome Trae Young to the Washington Wizards,” Dawkins said. “It is a rare opportunity to acquire a player of Trae’s skill, accomplishments, and age. Trae plays an exciting brand of basketball and brings a level of confidence and competitiveness that has set him apart in this league.”

Trae Young embraces the changes coming with the Wizards

With the Wizards sending a message with the Young trade, there’s no doubt that the 27-year-old’s recent time with the Hawks was a frustrating one. Though being the face of the franchise since joining the team out of college in 2018, more recently, his time filled with trade rumors and the team looking elsewhere.

After the trade was made official on Friday morning, Young would post to X, formerly Twitter, and admit how “the last few years weren’t how I wanted them to be,” while also embracing the “change” that’s coming.

“However, the pain of staying the same eventually outweighed the uncertainty of change. Change is often met with fear, but I see it as another opportunity,” Young wrote. “I’m walking into this next chapter with my head high and my eyes forward. It’s time to see what’s possible when the support is real and the vision is clear. We move.”

…Another Opportunity pic.twitter.com/jDk09ZI8BZ

— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) January 9, 2026

Young joins a Washington team that looks to improve with their current 10-26 record.

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