Ranking every Washington Wizards player by trade likelihood
By Cem Yolbulan
The trade market is heating up. Now that players who signed contracts in the offseason are eligible to be moved, a day doesn't go by without a new trade rumor. The Washington Wizards players regularly get mentioned in these reports as the team has plenty of veterans who could be intriguing targets for playoff teams. In fact, not too many Wizards should be untouchable considering the long rebuilding road ahead in Washington. So, let's take stock of the roster and see which Wizards players are the most likely trade candidates. Here are the 15 Wizards on fully guaranteed contracts in the order of least likely to be traded to the most.
15. Bilal Coulibaly
This isn’t happening. Bilal Coulibaly is the best thing to happen to the Washington Wizards in a long time. He represents hope and optimism for the future of the franchise. He is young, exciting, and has the highest upside of any player on the team. In the long rebuilding process that awaits the Wizards, Coulibaly is perhaps the only untouchable player.
14. Deni Avdija
The only other player on the roster who can make the case for being untouchable is Deni Avdija. The 22-year-old forward has taken a step forward this season and is a more polished, efficient offensive player. He improved his shooting and finishing, making him a better all-around player. If he can continue to be more assertive and consistent, he should be one of the more valuable Wizards going forward. Now that he signed a long-term deal worth $55 million for four years, it’s hard to see Washington parting ways with Avdija. He should be a part of the Wizards’ core for years to come.
13. Ryan Rollins
Rollins had a star-crossed start to his Wizards career, missing the last month due to an injury. Before then, he was on the fringes of the rotation. He hasn’t shown much in a Washington uniform yet, but he is still only 21 years old and has intriguing two-way potential. He can score, make plays, and hold his own defensively. He is worth a look for at least until the end of the season to fully evaluate whether he should be a part of the plan going forward.
12. Patrick Baldwin Jr.
Similar to Rollins, Baldwin Jr. hasn’t given the Wizards a reason to invest in his future so far since being acquired from the Golden State Warriors. He has failed to crack the rotation despite the Wizards being short-handed, especially in the frontcourt. He is an intriguing player profile with a 3-and-D potential and the ability to play small-ball center, but he needs to start showing that in the NBA. It’s hard to see him have much of a trade market so he is likely to stay in Washington.
Similar to Rollins, Baldwin Jr. hasn’t given the Wizards a reason to invest in his future so far since being acquired from the Golden State Warriors. He has failed to crack the rotation despite the Wizards being short-handed, especially in the frontcourt. He is an intriguing player profile with a 3-and-D potential and the ability to play small-ball center, but he needs to start showing that in the NBA. It’s hard to see him have much of a trade market so he is likely to stay in Washington.
11. Daniel Gafford
Gafford may have a trade market. He is young and improving. He could be a good backup center option for plenty of playoff teams. However, he is the only viable option at center for the Wizards. He is only 25 and is under contract for three more years. There isn’t a reason for Washington to trade Gafford unless a team completely bowls them over with a trade offer. And that is hard to imagine considering teams don’t value non-shooting bigs who aren’t defensively elite.