WASHINGTON (AP) – The Washington Wizards completed a series of trades at the deadline, acquiring a lottery-protected first-round pick in this year’s draft and former NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart from the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-team deal involving the Sacramento Kings, league sources confirmed on Thursday.
As part of the trade, Marcus Smart will be joining the Wizards alongside veteran center Alex Len and second-year wing Colby Jones from the Kings. In exchange, the Wizards traded center Marvin Bagley III, former first-round pick Johnny Davis, and a 2025 second-round pick to the Grizzlies. The Wizards are focused on rebuilding their roster after changes in leadership that emphasized building through the draft.
The Wizards decided to retain veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon, who provides valuable mentorship for the team’s young guards and wings. The team also added three more incoming future first-round picks through recent trades, significantly increasing their draft pick inventory for the upcoming years.
Marcus Smart, known for his physical defense, joins the Wizards after playing for the Grizzlies for the past two seasons. The team also recently acquired Khris Middleton and AJ Johnson from the Milwaukee Bucks in separate trades, further strengthening their roster for the future.
In addition to drafting young talent like Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George, Washington has added promising young players such as Colby Jones to evaluate and develop over the next few seasons. These trades mark the team’s commitment to rebuilding and shaping a competitive roster for the future.
With the addition of Marcus Smart, the Wizards aim to bolster their defense and continue their trajectory towards building a competitive team through strategic trades and draft picks. Smart’s presence, along with other recent acquisitions, positions the Wizards on a path towards future success in the NBA.