Wizards projected to have desired distinction in the 2025 offseason

The Washington Wizards are in year two of a rebuild and not expecting to win games. Their focus will be on developing talent and adding to their stockpile of future assets. Alex Sarr will look to prove he is a future star without the pressure to win. Things are just getting started in the nation’s capital.

The Wizards front office is already enacting their plan. They signed Jonas Valanciunas in free agency and traded for Malcolm Brogdon. Washington is not afraid to add veterans to help their young talent. It is why they kept Kyle Kuzma last season, and the franchise will have plenty of room to work with next summer.

Danny Leroux of The Athletic took a look at every team’s projected cap space (subscription required) for the 2025 offseason, and the Wizards are one of two teams with significant money to spend. Washington is unlikely to land a marquee target, but the flexibility could be massive in shaping their rebuild.

Wizards projected to have max cap space in the 2025 offseason

Leroux notes just four teams are projected to have cap space in 2025, despite the salary cap increasing as the NBA’s new television money comes in. The Nets and Wizards are the only two franchises currently on pace to have enough to sign someone to a max contract. Both teams are rebuilding and unlikely to land an All-Star, but the space can be used in many ways.

Washington could be the team outbidding for a veteran role play as the Magic did with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope this summer. The Wizards may take the route of the Spurs or Pistons by taking on unwanted salaries to add draft capital.

Several All-Stars are projected to be available in free agency. The class is headlined by LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, and Kyrie Irving. Each has a player option and may decide to stay put. Paul George went to Philadelphia this summer, but it is not often stars swap teams in free agency.

Cap space figures will change as trades are made before the Feb. 6 deadline. Teams can create more room by acquiring expiring contracts. The Wizards may take on some long-term salary, but keeping their flexibility has advantages.

The Washington Wizards should use this opportunity to make other teams pay for their regrettable spending. Can they convince the Bulls to part with multiple picks to dump Zach LaVine? The Spurs got several pick swaps being the third team in a trade to make the math work. This is an opportunity for the franchise to improve their draft capital and start turning the corner. It is a slow process and gets longer if chances are not maximized. It will certainly be an intriguing offseason in the nation’s capital.