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Deandre Ayton Shams: Lakers send Deandre Ayton to Wizards
Fri, Jul 3, 2026, 7:17 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports the Lakers have traded Deandre Ayton to the Wizards in exchange for Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks.
Analysis: The second-round picks are in 2031 and 2032. The Lakers recently acquired Walker Kessler to be the team's starting center, and they'll offload Ayton just a few days after he picked up his player option for next season. He'll now likely be the backup center behind Alex Sarr, which eliminates most of the fantasy value that he had this past season. However, he should be one of the better backup bigs in the league and has streaming upside if the Wizards face an injury in the frontcourt to either Sarr or Anthony Davis. |
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Xavier Cooks Felix Okpara heading to Wizards with pick No. 46
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 3:30 PM
Magic selected Felix Okpara with pick No. 46 in the NBA Draft.
Analysis: Okpara played two seasons at Tennessee after playing the first two seasons of his college career at Ohio State. As a senior, the 6-foot-10 post player averaged 8.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 59.7 percent from the field and 63.5 percent from the foul line. An athletic defender, Okpara is most effective as a rim protector, while the offensive skill set requires some polish. The Wizards traded picks 51 and 60 to add Okpara. With Alex Sarr and Anthony Davis there, Okpara will likely compete with Tristan Vukcevic for backup minutes down low. However, Trae Young is one of the best lob passers in the league, which could work well for Okpara. |
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Xavier Cooks Face of the Franchise: Wizards select Dybantsa
Tue, Jun 23, 2026, 2:12 PM
Jake Fischer
Wizards selected AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft.
Analysis: Dybantsa entered the 2025-26 season as one of the top prospects in this draft class, and his lone season at BYU did no harm to that status. The 6-foot-9 wing averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.4 three-pointers last season, earning consensus first-team All-America honors. Dybantsa shot 51.0 percent from the field, 33.1 percent from three and 77.4 percent from the foul line. An excellent athlete who can score on all three levels and provide some playmaking, Dybantsa needs to become a more consistent three-point shooter. That said, he projects to be a franchise cornerstone for years to come. He'll join a core in Washington that features young studs Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson and Kyshawn George, as well as veteran stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis. Dybantsa should start from day one and be a strong scoring option. |
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Trae Young Trae Young to sign 4-year, $212M deal with Wizards
Mon, Jun 22, 2026, 9:46 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Trae Young is expected to sign a four-year, $212 million deal to remain with the Wizards.
Analysis: Young opted out of his $49 million player option last week, but he'll get a bigger payday and long-term stability with Washington. His deal includes a player option in Year 4, but Young will be with the franchise through at least 2029. With so many talented options already around him and the top pick in the draft heading to the nation's capital, Washington could move out of the cellar in which it's been dwelling. |
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D'Angelo Russell Report: D'Angelo Russell exercises 2026-27 option
Sat, Jun 20, 2026, 4:52 AM
Jake Fischer
NBA insider Jake Fischer reports that D'Angelo Russell has exercised his player option for the 2026-27 season.
Analysis: Acquired from the Mavericks as part of the Anthony Davis trade at the February deadline, Russell never suited up for the Wizards last season. And that was with Trae Young unavailable on most nights. Add in Bub Carrington being on the roster, and it's highly unlikely that Russell plays for the Wizards next season. Regardless of where he lands, there is not much to gain from rostering D'Lo in fantasy leagues. |
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Trae Young Windhorst: Trae expected to re-sign with Wizards
Thu, Jun 18, 2026, 6:44 AM
Brian Windhorst.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports Trae Young will likely re-sign with the Wizards on a three-year deal.
Analysis: Reports surfaced on Wednesday that Young would opt out of the final year of his contract, which would've been worth $48.97 million. Assuming he makes that official next week, he will become an unrestricted free agent, but it doesn't appear he will test the waters. Young seemed to be bought in on the Wizards after they traded for him in January, and he'll affirm that when he signs a new deal. Washington is in a great spot after multiple miserable seasons; they have All-Star talents in Young and Anthony Davis, rising stars in Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George and Tre Johnson, and they also have the top pick in the draft next week. Young will have plenty of talent to facilitate the ball to. |
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Trae Young Report: Trae Young plans to opt out, become UFA
Wed, Jun 17, 2026, 4:27 PM
Marc J. Spears
ESPN's Marc J. Spears reports that Trae Young plans to opt out of the final season of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent.
Analysis: Acquired from the Hawks in early January, Young appeared in five games for the Wizards before being shut down in mid-March. Had he opted into the final season of his contract, the point guard would have earned nearly $49 million. And this may not be a case in which Young is opting out to negotiate a deal with the Wizards that would give the team more cap space. According to the report, there's a belief that âmultiple teamsâ will show interest in signing Young. Washington is perceived to be the favorite to sign Young, but that isn't guaranteed. The question is whether this will affect how the Wizards view the first overall pick in next week's draft. BYU's AJ Dybantsa is considered the favorite to go first, but Kansas' Darryn Peterson has refused to work out for any team other than the Wizards. |
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Xavier Cooks Wizards win lottery, grab first pick in 2026 Draft
Sun, May 10, 2026, 9:30 AM
The Washington Wizards won the 2006 NBA Draft Lottery.
Analysis: The Wizards will be followed by the Jazz, Grizzlies and Bulls in the top four of the draft order. Washington had a 14 percent chance of landing the first overall pick, which was tied with Indiana and Brooklyn for best odds under the current lottery system. AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer and Darryn Petterson are among the top prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft. |
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Anthony Gill Anthony Gill (back, head) upgraded to available
Sun, Apr 12, 2026, 6:31 AM
NBA Injury Report
Anthony Gill (back, head) is available for Sunday's game against the Cavaliers.
Analysis: Gill is good to go for Sunday's season finale after being injured during Friday's loss to the Heat. While he has started games recently, Julian Reese has been the more productive option, as the rookie has played more minutes. |
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Bilal Coulibaly Coulibaly, Johnson, Vuk?evi? out vs. Cleveland
Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 1:32 PM
NBA Injury Report
Bilal Coulibaly (heel), Tre Johnson (foot) and Tristan Vuk?evi? (knee) are out for Sunday's game against the Cavaliers.
Analysis: The Wizards will be light on options for Sunday's season finale, especially on the perimeter. The absence of Coulibaly and Johnson will mean more opportunities for Will Riley and Leaky Black. As for Vuk?evi?, his continued absence does not change much in the frontcourt, with the Wizards continuing to rely on Julian Reese. |
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Anthony Gill Anthony Gill (back, head) questionable vs. CLE
Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 1:26 PM
NBA Injury Report
Anthony Gill (back, head) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Cavaliers.
Analysis: In addition to his back injury, Gill took a shot to the head during Friday's loss to the Heat. While the veteran forward/center was not officially ruled out at the time, he's dealing with a headache, so Gill is on the injury report. Julian Reese has been productive recently and is worth rostering in active fantasy leagues, regardless of Gill's availability. |
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Bilal Coulibaly Bilal Coulibaly records 25/5/5/1/1 stat line
Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 3:30 PM
Bilal Coulibaly recorded 25 points (9-of-16 FGs, 5-of-5 FTa), five rebounds, five assists, one steal, one block and two three-pointers in Friday's loss to the Heat.
Analysis: Back in the lineup after missing Thursday's loss to the Bulls, Coulibaly recorded his first stat line this season with at least 25 points, five rebounds and five assists. Given the Wizards' many young wings and the fact that they'll likely hold onto their top-8 protected first-round pick, Coulibaly will face significant competition for rotation minutes when training camp opens next fall. Nights like Friday can only strengthen his case for a starting spot. |
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Bilal Coulibaly WAS starts Bub, Coulibaly, Black, Gill, Reese
Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 12:43 PM
NBA Lineups
Bub Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly, Leaky Black, Anthony Gill and Julian Reese will start Friday's game against the Heat.
Analysis: Coulibaly is back after missing Thursday's loss to the Bulls and reclaims his place in the starting lineup. Will Riley heads to the bench, but he should still play plenty due to the Wizards still being shorthanded on the wings. |
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Bilal Coulibaly Bilal Coulibaly (heel) good to go Friday
Fri, Apr 10, 2026, 9:01 AM
NBA Injury Report
Bilal Coulibaly (heel) is available for Friday's matchup with the Heat.
Analysis: Coulibaly will return to play the second leg of Washington's back-to-back set after sitting out Thursday's matchup with the Bulls. He should handle his typical workload for Washington's 81st game of the season. |
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Leaky Black Leaky Black plays 41 minutes, scores 14 points
Thu, Apr 9, 2026, 3:33 PM
Leaky Black recorded 14 points (6-of-14 FGs), nine rebounds, two steals, one block and two three-pointers in Thursday's loss to the Bulls.
Analysis: A common practice of lottery-bound teams at this stage of the season is to play their two-way and 10-day contract guys heavy minutes. Black played 41 minutes on Thursday, and while the stat line wasn't exactly robust, he finished one rebound shy of a double-double. Playing time shouldn't be an issue for Leaky in Washington's final two games of the season, so those in active leagues should consider picking him up. |
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Xavier Cooks Julian Reese posts 16/15/1/1/2 line vs. Chicago
Thu, Apr 9, 2026, 3:31 PM
Julian Reese finished Thursday's loss to the Bulls with 16 points (5-of-14 FGs, 6-of-7 FTs), 15 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one blocked shot.
Analysis: When allowed to play significant minutes, Reese has consistently played well enough to earn a longer look from the Wizards in the summer. He recorded another double-double on Thursday, his third in as many games and fifth since being signed to a two-way deal. The Wizards have two more games this season, and Reese can be valuable to managers in active fantasy leagues. |
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Jaden Hardy Jaden Hardy (back) downgraded to out vs. Chicago
Thu, Apr 9, 2026, 6:30 AM
NBA Injury Report
Jaden Hardy (back) is out for Thursday's game against the Bulls.
Analysis: Hardy did not play in Tuesday's loss to the Bulls, which factored into Sharife Cooper playing 27 minutes off the bench. Cooper should take on a similar workload in Thursday's rematch. |
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Anthony Gill Anthony Gill (back) upgraded to available vs. CHI
Thu, Apr 9, 2026, 6:27 AM
NBA Injury Report
Anthony Gill (back) is available for Thursday's game against the Bulls.
Analysis: Gill will be in the Wizards' rotation on Thursday, but the playing time may be limited. He logged 16 minutes in Tuesday's loss to the Bulls, with Julian Reese playing 36. The rookie forward/center may be the safer option for fantasy managers in active leagues. |
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Bilal Coulibaly Bilal Coulibaly (heel) downgraded to out vs. CHI
Thu, Apr 9, 2026, 6:24 AM
NBA Injury Report
Bilal Coulibaly (heel) is out for Thursday's game against the Bulls.
Analysis: Coulibaly, who was held out of Sunday's loss to the Nets due to heel bursitis, logged 24 minutes in Tuesday's loss to the Bulls. His absence for Thursday's rematch opens up a spot in the starting lineup, with Will Riley and Justin Champagnie being potential replacements. |
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Justin Champagnie Justin Champagnie (knee) upgraded to available
Thu, Apr 9, 2026, 6:22 AM
NBA Injury Report
Justin Champagnie (knee) is available for Thursday's game against the Bulls.
Analysis: Champagnie is good to go after initially being questionable for Thursday's game. He should take on a similar workload after logging 29 minutes in Tuesday's blowout loss to the Bulls. |
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