Who stays and who goes? Predicting which Wizards finish the season in Washington

The Washington Wizards have multiple interesting roster decisions to make as the season continues to unfold.

Although we’re multiple months out from the NBA trade deadline, there’s no secret that the Wizards will be a team to monitor before the deadline. With reports suggesting that Washington will be very active as the season progresses, it’s easy to understand why.

The Wizards are in the midst of a much-needed rebuild after several seasons of mediocrity in Washington. Despite the team’s talented young roster, there are still multiple veterans on the roster that just simply don’t fit the rebuild. And with the Wizards making it known that they have assets that can immediately help contenders, it makes perfect sense for them to be sellers at the deadline.

If they can acquire packages of either draft picks or young players, it’s a no-brainer for general manager Will Dawkins to be aggressive. That said, here’s a look at which Wizards could stay in DC and which may land with a different organization.

Kyle Kuzma

Kyle Kuzma may be one of the most obvious trade candidates on the Wizards roster. The versatile forward is an explosive scorer but can also serve as a facilitating big man on offense. The 29-year-old was nearly traded last season, and in the offseason inquiring teams still pursued the Utah product from the Wizards.

However, Washington elected to bring him back with both sides hoping to keep building the roster.

Nonetheless, it’s clear the Wizards aren’t close to competing for a championship right now, and moving Kuzma may make the most sense for their rebuild. Not only would it allow Washington to get a big return for his services, but it would also open up more minutes for young players such as Kyshawn George.

Prediction: Kuzma gets traded

Malcolm Brogdon

Malcolm Brogdon is one of multiple veterans that the Wizards managed to bring in over the offseason. The guard is yet another player who doesn’t make sense for Washington’s rebuild, but his contract makes him a bit challenging to trade. Especially to contending teams who could inquire for his services.

The new CBA guidelines make it difficult for any contending teams to make big-time moves without giving up other solid players to salary match. Despite that, if a team wants Brogdon enough, there are always loop holes that organizations tend to find to get a deal done. That said, if a team believes Brogdon is the missing piece for them to make a championship run, teams will find a way to land the vet.

Prediction: Brogdon gets traded

Corey Kispert

Corey Kispert’s future in Washington seemingly was up in the air before he signed his extension with the Wizards before the season began. However, the Gonzaga product’s new deal doesn’t ensure his future will be with the Wizards.

Kispert is a more than serviceable role player on the wing, and he’s a reliable shooter who can play both ways. He hasn’t shown that he can be a building block for the Wizards moving forward, but the former lottery pick has shown that he provides valuable minutes as a glue player. The exact type of player a contending team would have interest in.

However, with Kispert’s new deal, if he gets traded before July 1 2025, he will carry a poison pill over whichever team acquired him. That alone is enough for teams to stay away from the 25-year-old until that date passes by.

Prediction: Kispert stays put.

Jonas Valanciunas

Jonas Valanciunas is another veteran that the Wizards added in the offseason that just didn’t seem to make sense for the way the team’s future looked. The deal seemed like a win-win for both sides as the big man could get the payday he desired and Washington could make a deal to send him to a contending team at the deadline.

As of now, that plan seems to be working as expected as the center has shown his consistency off the bench for the Wizards. As the deadline approaches, it wouldn’t be shocking to see rumors heat up surrounding Valanciunas.

Prediction: Valanciunas gets traded.