Amidst the Wizards' rebuilding season, fans have been eager to look for positives. Last night, it would have been hard to find any.
Washington fell 132-101 to the Knicks Tuesday night. It was a dispiriting loss on all fronts, with the team never leading in the game.
The loss will certainly weigh on Washington, with so many disappointing elements on both sides of the floor. However, there is a positive for the Wizards: the trade deadline is just around the corner.
Washington will have an opportunity to obtain more talent, hoping to look more competitive as they continue the regular season.
Can the team fix some of their limitations from last night? Here are some potential deadline trades that could slim the margins between Washington and top eastern contenders like New York.
Option 1: Take a swing on Ousmane Dieng
Proposed trade:
Thunder receive: Justin Champagnie, Malaki Branham, 2026 & 2027 Second-Round Picks
Wizards receive: Ousmane Dieng
One of the Wizards’ biggest struggles in their loss to the Knicks was a lack of answers for Karl-Anthony Towns, and his physicality as a driver.
Alexandre Sarr has been fantastic so far this season, but his lighter frame cost him multiple baskets in the paint, without mentioning the lackluster efforts of Bagley. Acquiring another big, one with better defensive instincts, could be incredibly beneficial for the Wizards.
While playing sparingly for the Thunder, Dieng has made the most of his minutes. He’s shown to be an impactful rebounder, and could play alongside Sarr to give the Wizards’ frontcourt more size defensively.
Offense is still a struggle for the player, inefficient on that end during his time in Oklahoma City. But a change in scenery could help, especially playing alongside explosive drivers like Bub Carrington and Tre Johnson.
For Oklahoma City, the ability to acquire two high value second-round picks, likely almost first round picks given where the Wizards sit in the standings, will persuade them to make this deal.
Champagnie would be a likely cut candidate, but Branham could be a back-of-rotation player, given his age and abilities on both ends of the floor
Option 2: Take on a reclamation project for former lottery pick
The proposed trade:
Grizzlies receive: Malaki Branham, Cam Whitmore, 2026 & 2027 Second-Round Picks
Wizards receive: Taylor Hendricks
The Wizards’ perimeter defense was another weak point against New York, allowing the Knicks to convert 17 threes on 46% shooting.
New York’s ability to garner touches in the paint created wide open opportunities from the perimeter, with the Wizards’ wings struggling to close out. It’s an issue Washington has faced often this season, especially with some of their smaller lineups on the floor.
Hendricks, who was just acquired by the Grizzlies, could give the Wizards some defensive stability. Despite his early career struggles, Hendricks came out of college as a promising 3 and D wing, with the length to help shut down some of the game’s premier shooters.
Acquiring Hendricks could help the Wizards handle 3-point barrages like New York’s, if the player is able to translate his athleticism into stellar defense.
For Memphis, once again the picks are the prize of this package. But Whitmore is a player who could be a steal if he’s able to return physically, missing the rest of the season due to a venous condition.
Option 3: Sell high on Marvin Bagley III
Proposed trade:
Raptors receive: Marvin Bagley III, 2026 Second-Round Pick
Wizards receive: Jonathan Mogbo
There’s been a lot of issues for the Wizards defensively, due to a variety of players. But no player has perhaps had a more negative impact when on the floor defensively, than Marvin Bagley III.
Bagley played just 16 minutes in the Knicks’ loss, mostly in garbage time. Even in those limited minutes, however, he faced similar issues to those he’s faced all season. The 26-year old lacks awareness around the rim defensively, even if he’s shown prowess as a rebounder.
Toronto could likely use some size, with a Jakob Poetl trade reportedly around the corner, while they look to acquire the smaller Domantas Sabonis. Flipping Bagley to the Raptors could pave the way for a move to acquire a more versatile big like Dieng, one who better fits the Wizards’ needs.