March 10th, 2026 is a night every Washington Wizards player, coach, and fan wants to forget.
Images of Bam Adebayo driving on, shooting over, and straight-up pummelling the Wizards’ defense are likely to haunt the organization for a long time. His 83 points that night will live forever in NBA history, a constant reminder of Washington’s ineptitude in 2025.
With goals of improvement in 2026, the Wizards knew they had to invest in their frontcourt. A night like Adebayo’s couldn’t happen against them again.
Their solution, however, is an unlikely name. Washington traded two second-round picks and guard Jaden Hardy to the Los Angeles Lakers for Deandre Ayton.
It’s a move that many have expressed hope about, with the big man filling a massive roster hole. Ayton’s career so far, however, has been a serious roller coaster, creating some doubts.
Will the center fill a crucial role for Washington? Or will his past catch up to him? Ayton is an incredibly intriguing fit with the Wizards and could be vital to their success.
Ayton fits well with Washington’s big men on defense
Of all of the players to blame for Adebayo’s historic night, nobody was more to blame than young forward Alex Sarr. Bam’s physicality was overwhelming as he punished the 205-pound player.
It’s an issue Sarr struggled with throughout the season due to his wiry frame. Stronger bigs like Joel Embiid and Rudy Gobert beat up on the player, especially in post-up situations.
Enter Ayton, who should immediately bolster the Wizards’ rim protection. At 7 feet and 251 pounds, the former #1 overall pick has always been a gifted rim protector. His athletic gifts allow him to make plays defensively that Sarr simply can’t make.
The former Laker is far from perfect on the defensive end, even with his gifts. His effort wanes, and he tends to draw silly fouls. But his mere presence should elevate Washington’s ceiling on defense, giving them the size to keep up with the league’s best.
Washington, at the moment, is unsure of the future of Anthony Davis, after reports of a potential trade. But if Davis does play, Ayton could be an effective piece next to him as well.
Davis’s insistence on playing the power forward position requires the team to have a backup center so that he is not constrained to that role. By signing Ayton, the Wizards could be prioritizing the happiness of Davis, their front office’s first big trade.
In line with both of the team’s other big men, Ayton gives the Wizards flexibility and physicality they’ve severely lacked.
Ayton’s skillset compliments Washington’s guards
For all the former Laker can bring on defense physically, perhaps his biggest contribution will be helping Washington not turn it over on offense.
The Wizards had the 4th most turnovers per game in the NBA a year ago, with their young backcourt struggling to hold onto the ball. Ayton should help lower this number, as an effective screener and roller without the ball.
Like on defense, Ayton’s activity can often wane on offense. But when engaged, his hard screens should create easy lanes for the young guards to get downhill. He is also a talented finisher, drawing enough attention to prevent double-teams on Washington’s youth.
By making it easier for the Wizards’ young guards to attack on drives, Ayton should once again give the team another dimension.
The former star may feel like just a salary filler, given what the team gave up to get him. But with his impact on both ends of the floor, Ayton will be a valuable asset, bolstering Washington's playoff hopes.
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