The Washington Wizards rebuild continues, even if the team's recent blockbuster trades suggests otherwise.
Over the course of the last month, Washington has added a premiere guard in four-time All-Star Trae Young and future Hall-of-Fame big man Anthony Davis.
Young in specific was a deal that seemed too good for the Wizards to pass up, especially after being listed as the elite playmaker's preferred landing spot.
Considering the glaring hole in the backcourt and the obviois void that Young's additiojn would fill, the opportunity to land him at an extremely discounted price of CJ McCollum's expiring contract and Corey Kispert was a no-brainer.
As for Davis, this move certainly came out of left field.
The 32-year-old big man was involved in the league-altering trade ahead of last February's NBA trade deadline that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in what many consider the most confusing deal of all-time.
Beyond the fact that Dallas was motivated to move on from the big man so quickly, the idea that a rebuilding team like the Wizards would be the squad to step up makes it even more confusing, especially with the rumors that the Toronto Raptors among others were interested in landing the Kentucky product.
Nonetheless, Washington stepping up to the plate suggests the Wizards have plans to compete in the Eastern Conference sooner rather than later.
Despite that, the Wizards dream offseason is still in the cards, even with the additions of two former multi-time All-Stars.
Wizards plans to tank remain after Young/Davis update
As many already know, since landing in Washington, Young has yet to make his debut with the team.
Post All-Star break was viewed as mark for when the team would re-evaluate the guard who's recovering from an injury that sidelined him towards the end of his Atlanta tenure.
Meanwhile, Davis' return to action doesn't seem to be on the horizon anytime soon, if at all this season.
According to NBA Insider Tim Bontemps of ESPN, neither play is expected to suit up much at all down the stretch:
“The expectation among sources is that Davis and Young will play very little, if at all, the remainder of the season as the Wizards chase lottery luck, and that both stars will get long-term deals this summer," Bontemps said.
All that to say, for fans dreaming of earning the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the dream lives on.