Wizards Have Priorities For Trade Deadline

The Washington Wizards have moves to make ahead of the trade deadline.
Jan 3, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA;  Washington Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon (15) dribbles against New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25) during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Jan 3, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Washington Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon (15) dribbles against New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25) during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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The Washington Wizards are approaching the NBA Trade Deadline in a couple of weeks, and they may have more players on the block than any team in the league.

Anyone not named Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George or Bub Carrington should be considered in any potential trade, leaving a lot of uncertainty in the Wizards locker room beyond Feb. 6.

Bleacher Report writer Eric Pincus believes that the Wizards should have somewhat of a hierarchy going into deadline plans.

"The Wizards are another lottery-focused franchise with a terrible record willing to move out of veterans for future considerations. Like the Jazz, Washington can afford to be patient on inquiries for Kuzma, Valanciunas, Holmes and Poole (all under contract next season)," Pincus writes. "Washington would prioritize getting out of the expiring contracts if they find teams eager to take on players like Brogdon and Bagley."

The Wizards will take any deal that helps them for the future, but players on expiring contracts should be the first to go. The Wizards don't need to make any deals, but it wouldn't be the wisest move to keep any expiring deals unless there was a real chance at a contract extension.

But for players like Malcolm Brogdon and Marvin Bagley III who are currently injured, finding a trade for them could be a positive development. Brogdon could be traded to a contender that needs a veteran backup point guard, while Bagley could add depth in any team's frontcourt.

When it comes to these players in particular, the Wizards' worst plan is inaction. Doing something would be better than nothing and letting these players walk without getting something in return, even if it is just a measly second-round pick.

The Wizards return to the court Thursday to take on the Phoenix Suns.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.