For a team that is expected to be one of the worst in the Eastern Conference next season, the Washington Wizards have been very active this summer, making moves left and right.
Obviously, the 2024 NBA Draft was a huge night for them, as they brought in three players who should be a big part of their core going forward.Alex SarrBub Carrington and Kyshawn George.
They also made a big trade with the Portland Trail Blazers. They traded Deni Avdija, brought back Malcolm Brogdon and picks. It was a surprising move, but one that could help them in the future.
The Wizards also remained active in free agency. They signed Jonas Valanciunas and Saddiq Bey to three-year contracts. Reports also indicated that they would sign Taylor Funk to their third two-way position.
But with all the moves the Wizards have made this summer, there’s one big reason they’ll be forced to make more: They have too many players. on the list.
As it stands, the Wizards have 17 players on their roster, but the maximum they are allowed to have next year is 15, meaning they will have to find a way to get rid of two players. And that’s after they already have Anthony Gill has re-signed.
Looking at some of their potential options, Sarr, Carrington, George, Valanciunas and Bey seem safe. They are not going to end up in the core. The same can be said for Bilal Coulibaly.
Jordan Poole likely wouldn’t have a trade market, and he was solid late last year, so they probably won’t end up moving him this offseason either. Plus, they just re-signed Gill and Richaun Holmes this summer, so they’ll likely be on the team.
That leaves only Brogdon, Kyle Kuzma, Corey Kispert, Patrick Baldwin Jr., Eugene Omoruyi, Marvin Bagley III and Jared Butler as guys they could get rid of.
Brogdon and Baldwin seem like the most obvious choices for the Wizards, but anything is possible, and perhaps Washington could choose to go in a different direction.
But one thing is for sure: the Wizards must reduce their roster by two players before the start of next season.
