Basketball

Wizards Have Made Aggressive Trade Offers To Land Top Pick In Draft

Published: Jun 20, 2025, 6:21 PM
4 min read
Updated: Jul 22, 2025, 7:17 AM
Fact checked by:
Sergey Demidov
Dylan Harper #2 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Dylan Harper #2 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

As the NBA Draft approaches, the Washington Wizards are focused on addressing one of the most pressing needs on their roster: finding a long-term answer at point guard.

Holding picks No. 6 and 18 in the first round, the Wizards have explored trade-up scenarios in hopes of securing one of the top backcourt prospects, league sources told RG. Washington has made multiple offers to teams in the top five in an effort to land either Dylan Harper or Jeremiah Fears, even being willing to part with surprising names to move up to No. 2 overall. Thus far, those attempts have been rebuffed.

San Antonio, which holds the No. 2 pick, has turned down overtures from both Washington and Philadelphia and remains committed to using the selection. Fears has also drawn top-five interest, leaving it unclear whether he will still be available when Washington is on the clock.

Washington’s front office, led by general manager Will Dawkins, remains committed to a youth-driven rebuild centered on upside and player development. Finding stability at point guard has become a central focus, with the organization prioritizing a player who can grow into a foundational piece.

In the event none of their preferred options are available at No. 6, the Wizards have also conducted significant due diligence on point guard prospects projected to be available at No. 18, sources told RG.

Jordan Poole spent a significant portion of last season handling lead guard duties, but reducing that responsibility could allow him to focus more on scoring while using his playmaking as a secondary strength.

Many scouts who have spoken to RG view Bub Carrington as best suited to provide a spark off the bench rather than serving as a full-time starter. Marcus Smart, acquired at the trade deadline, brings experience and defensive leadership but is entering the final year of a $21.6 million contract. At 31, he does not align with the team’s long-term timeline.

Malcolm Brogdon, who appeared in 24 games last season, is now an unrestricted free agent and is not expected to return, sources told RG. Among the teams being monitored as potential landing spots for Brogdon are the Dallas Mavericks, who are expected to pursue a veteran guard to help manage minutes while Kyrie Irving recovers from a torn ACL.

There will be options for Dallas in both the trade market and free agency. Several agents representing point guards in this year’s class told RG they view the Mavericks as an appealing opportunity to build value and contribute to a playoff-caliber roster.

The 2025 NBA Draft begins June 25 and will be held over two nights at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

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NBA Reporter
Grant Afseth is a Dallas-based basketball journalist with more than a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, G League and FIBA. He’s reported from the NBA Finals, All-Star Weekend, Olympics and FIBA World Cup, focusing on analysis and front office insight. He runs DallasHoopsJournal.com, covering the Mavericks and Wings with game coverage, features and interviews. His work includes conversations with stars like Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, and is known for its accuracy, sourcing and adherence to AP style.
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Mark Medina
Mark Medina
NBA Reporter

Mark Medina is a veteran NBA reporter with more than a decade of experience chronicling some of the league’s most iconic players, championship moments and behind-the-scenes developments. His coverage spans six NBA Finals (2010, 2018–2022), Kobe Bryant’s final five seasons (2012–2016) and the rise of the Golden State Warriors dynasty (2017–2019). His storytelling combines deep reporting, access and a focus on the human side of the game.

During the 2020 NBA bubble, Mark was one of the few journalists embedded on-site from July to September, reporting not just on the games but also on the league’s strict COVID-19 protocols and the players’ social justice activism. His January 2020 in-depth interview with Kobe Bryant, focused on Bryant’s post-retirement ventures in media and youth development, was one of the last before the basketball legend’s passing.

Throughout his career, Mark has conducted exclusive one-on-one interviews with basketball icons and influential figures, including Bryant, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, Pau Gasol, Metta Sandiford-Artest, Steve Kerr, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Jeanie Buss. Known for his enterprise reporting and nuanced features, Mark has developed a reputation for balanced, thoughtful journalism that explores both the athletic and cultural impact of the NBA.

📍 Based in: Los Angeles, USA

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