Wizards Set Themselves Up for More Moves After Winning Trade With Pelicans

McCollum is a professional combo guard who is better suited off the ball, but he was forced to run the point the past three seasons with the Pelicans. While not an elite playmaker, he doesn’t turn the ball over frequently and has produced a solid 2.5 assist-to-turnover ratio.

McCollum is not a strong defender, but he will compete on that end of the court. What McCollum does do well is score.  The 33-year-old has averaged 20 points a game in each of the last 12 seasons. He is an elite shooter, having shot nearly 40% from beyond the arc for his career, and is better than average off the dribble.

Olynyk is the epitome of a journeyman, as the Wizards are the 34-year-old’s eighth team. Despite his advanced age, Olynyk is still very skilled and productive.

Olynyk is an efficient scorer and does his best work around the rim. He is a good offensive rebounder and a decent rim protector. Additionally, he can space the floor with his shooting and is an outstanding passer.

The 2027 second-round pick coming from Chicago was already going to the Wizards, although it was protected (from No. 51 to No. 60). Now, the pick is owned by the Wizards regardless of the position.

Wizards Financials

Washington has 14 players on standard contracts for the 2025-26 season with salaries totaling $169. 9 million. The Wizards own two first-round picks in 2025, the No. 6 pick ($7.5 million cap hit) and the No. 18 pick ($3.9 million). With the addition of the rookies, the Wizards’ projected cap hit is $181.3 million.

However, the Wizards have some flexibility and decisions. After the draft, Washington’s brass has upcoming decisions on Anthony Gill’s ($2.5 million) and Colby Jones’s ($2.2 million) non-guaranteed deals. Gill, whose deal becomes guaranteed on June 29, is unlikely to return. Meanwhile, Jones could be back.

Jones, whose deal guarantees on July 1, played well after coming over from Sacramento in a trade deadline deal.  The 23-year-old guard,  the No. 34 pick in 2023, averaged 8.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 steals in 25 minutes over 15 appearances for the Wiz.

Richaun Holmes has a partial guarantee on his $13.2 million contract. Only $250,000 is guaranteed, and the deal doesn’t fully guarantee until January 1o.  Holmes played well in limited action last season for the Wizards.

Wizards Set Themselves Up: Upcoming Decisions

The first decisions will come today with the NBA Draft. The Wizards, whose playoff drought extended to four straight years, need an influx of talent.  What the Wiz need is a playmaker whom they can build around, along with Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly.  2024-25 second team All-Rookie second team selection Bub Carrington, who had a strong final three months, and Kyshawn George are also expected to be part of the Wizards’ young core.

According to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Washington is hoping that Ace Bailey falls to them at No. 6. If Bailey is already gone by the time the Wizards select, they will likely turn to either Jeremiah Fears or Tre Johnson.  Grant Afseth of RG.com said that the Wizards reportedly want to find a long-term solution at point guard.

“Sources said Washington hopes Bailey’s refusal to work out for teams during the predraft process will cause him to slide,” Pompey wrote. The Wizards believe that Bailey has the biggest upside in the draft. And since they’re rebuilding, the Wizards can wait for him to expand his game.”

If Bailey falls to the Wizards at No. 6, the Wizards could look for a point guard at No. 18. Nolan Traore, Walter Clayton Jr., Jase Richardson, and Ben Saraf could be options there.  Cedric Coward, Danny Wolf, and Asa Newell could also be options for the Wizards’ second first-round selection.

After Draft Decisions

While Washington increased their payroll for the 2025-26 campaign, the Wizards cleared more money off the books in future years. The future is why the Wizards won their Pelicans trade, as they are still in the process of rebuilding. Poole and Bey are both under contract for 2026-27 and weren’t in the Wizards’ plans anyway.

Washington projects to have four players on guaranteed contracts for the 2025-26 season, which includes both 2025 draft picks. However, some of the Wizards’ decisions this summer will dramatically affect next season’s roster.

Besides upcoming decisions on Gill and Jones’ non-guaranteed contracts, Washington has choices to make on JT Thor, Corey Kispert, and Tristan Vukcevic. Gill will likely not be on the Wizards’ roster come July 1, though Jones and Holmes could be.

Thor and Vukcevic project to be restricted free agents after spending last season on two-way deals with the Wizards. Vukcevic is still a project, though he has been productive in his time with the Wizards.

The 22-year-old Italian should receive a qualifying offer and has at least one year left of G-League eligibility. Thor shouldn’t have any G-League eligibility; thus, it is unlikely to receive a qualifying offer.

Kispert is under contract through 2028. Washington holds a team option on him for the 2028-29 campaign and could exercise it as early as this summer. However, Kispert is coming off a disappointing season, and the Wizards will likely wait until at least the summer 2027-28 season to decide on his fate.

More Urgent Upcoming Summer Decisions Regarding Future

Washington faces more urgent decisions than Kisper. First up, Jones and Khris Middleton become extension-eligible on July 2. Middleton opted into his player option earlier this summer and has no chance of getting a contract extension.  Jones is currently a fringe roster player so that he won’t receive an extension either this summer.

Washington has five major decisions concerning their future, and they should be easy. The Wizards have until October 31 to pick up the options on Sarr, Coulibaly, Carrington, George, and AJ Johnson.  It would be a huge surprise if any of the players’ options weren’t picked up.

Let’s say the Wizards pick up all five players’ options. That would mean the Wizards would have eight or nine players on the 2026-27 payroll with salaries estimated at $61.9 million. According to Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron, the Wizards are projected to have between $80-$100 million in cap space.

“The Washington Wizards got a first-round pick for taking on Jordan Poole and were able to get off the remaining two years, $66 million of his deal without attaching a meaningful asset,” Gozlan Tweeted. “They project with $80 million+ in 2026 cap space. More flexibility for future salary dumps.”

Speaking of Washington’s potential salary dumps. The Wizards may look to move McCollum, Marcus Smart, Olynyk, and Holmes, all of whom are on expiring contracts. None of the four above players will likely finish the season with the Wizards, with Smart and Holmes being the most likely to be dealt or released before the start of the 2025-26 season. The Wizards have a treasure chest of draft picks available to help facilitate a trade for likely better picks.