Washington Wizards Keen to Trade 1-Time Defensive Player of the Year to Increase Draft Capital, Per Insider 1 Washington Wizards guard Marcus Smart reacts to a call during an NBA regular season game.Credit: Getty Images

Washington Wizards Keen to Trade 1-Time Defensive Player of the Year to Increase Draft Capital, Per Insider

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 8:38 AM ET

The Washington Wizards are looking to move on from Marcus Smart as part of their ongoing rebuild. The former Defensive Player of the Year is entering the final year of his contract, earning roughly $21.6 million in the 2025-26 season.

According to NBA insider Matt Moore, the Washington Wizards like to do Smart a solid by sending him to a contender while adding to their war chest of assets.

“The Wizards would like to move Marcus Smart to a contender, but there’s been little interest so far,” Moore reported. “He might be one of the guys moved in the latter days of free agency after teams strike out on other targets.”

Memphis Grizzlies Could Consider Trading 1-Time NBA Defensive Player of the Year to Give Way For Their Youngsters, Per Insider 3 Mar 10, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13), guard Marcus Smart (36), forward GG Jackson (45) and guard Ja Morant (12) watch their team play against the Oklahoma City Thunder from the bench during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Smart arrived in the nation’s capital last February as part of a multi-team deal with the Memphis Grizzlies and the Sacramento Kings. The 31-year-old combo guard averaged 9.3 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 steals on 44.0 percent shooting across 15 regular season appearances for the Washington Wizards.

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The Washington Wizards could also trade Malcolm Brogdon this offseason, with the Sacramento Kings as one of his top suitors. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Sacramento Kings have been looking for a legitimate point guard since trading away De’Aaron Fox earlier this year.

Washington Wizards Keen to Trade 1-Time Defensive Player of the Year to Increase Draft Capital, Per Insider 3 Feb 5, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Washington Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon (15) drives past Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) in the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

“New general manager Scott Perry, remember, immediately highlighted the Kings’ need for improved playmaking during his introductory press conference, and sources have duly linked Sacramento to various guards known to be available this summer. That list includes Holiday in Boston and Marcus Smart in Washington … and stretches to more affordable free agent ballhandlers like Malcolm Brogdon,” Fischer detailed.

Brogdon played sporadically for Washington this year, averaging 12.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists on 43.3 percent shooting from the field across 24 regular season appearances.