Everything you need to know about the Wizards’ salary cap and draft pick situations as they head into the 2024 offseason.
As NBA teams become increasingly strategic in building their rosters and planning for the future, fans have developed a growing appetite for information about the team-building options available to their favorite organizations.
In response, we’re collaborating with SalarySwish to use their data to address every possible question about the Washington Wizards’ financial situation and other team-building considerations.
Below is our ongoing, dynamic document that answers many queries you may have on this topic, with updates and context as the team progresses. Bookmark this page for the latest changes as the team evolves!
Now, let’s dive into the details…
Wizards Roster, Salaries, Draft Picks, Cap Space and More
Here is a table with all of the Wizards’ salary information, courtesy of our friends at SalarySwish:
Now, because that is a lot of data, let’s dive into a few key pieces of context and what it means, and try to answer any questions it may call up for you.
FAQ
Here is an FAQ regarding the Wizards’ salary cap situation.
Which Wizards players will earn the most in the 2024-25 season?
Jordan Poole will make the most money next year with a salary of $29,651,786. Kyle Kuzma is second with $23,522,727. Deni Avdjia is third with $15,625,000.
How much space will the Wizards have in 2024 NBA free agency?
As of now, the Wizards have $132,386,252 in committed salaries for players and $600,000 in “dead cap” space for Ryan Rollins. There are also $67,071,428 in holds, which give the Wizards a cap hit of $200,057,680. Holds account for anticipated draft picks and free agent signings.
Without considering the holds, the Wizards are $38,358,748 below the luxury tax and about $9 million under the salary cap of $141 million.
Again, the Wizards will likely be a bit over the tax because they haven’t signed their first round draft picks yet. Remember, they have two of them.
Will the Wizards pay a luxury tax in the 2024-25 season?
Given that the Wizards had a franchise-worst season in 2023-24 and are still rebuilding, it’s unrealistic to see them paying the tax for a lottery-bound team. The Wizards haven’t paid the luxury tax since 2017-18, when they paid approximately $6,990,177.
What draft picks do the Wizards have? Is it likely that they will trade them?
Let’s break this up into parts. First, the picks the Wizards have in the 2024 NBA Draft. Second, we’ll go through the picks own outright, then picks that are dependent on how future drafts go.
First, here are the picks that the Wizards have for the 2024 draft
- No. 2 overall
- No. 26 overall (originally the Los Angeles Clippers’ pick)
- No. 51 overall: (originally the Phoenix Suns’ pick)
I don’t see the Wizards trading any of their picks given that this draft class is likely going to be… not-so-strong, if you know what I mean.
Future picks the Wizards own outright through 2030
Washington fully owns their 2027 and 2029 first-round draft picks based on their performance in the previous regular season. They also fully own their 2026, 2027, and 2030 second-round picks.
Due to various trades, the Wizards fully own these second-round picks from other teams:
- 2025 Phoenix Suns
- 2026 Phoenix Suns
- 2026 Chicago Bulls
- 2027 Phoenix Suns
- 2027 Chicago Bulls
- 2027 Golden State Warriors
- 2029 Los Angeles Lakers
- 2030 Phoenix Suns
Future first-round draft picks through 2030 that are dependent on the order of a future draft
The Wizards will send their 2025 first-round draft pick to the New York Knicks if the selection ranges from No. 11-30. In other words, that pick is Top-10 protected. If the Wizards have the No. 1-10 pick in 2025, then they are expected to send their 2026 first-round pick, which is Top-8 protected. If the Wizards haven’t traded a first-round pick to New York by 2026, then they will have to trade their 2026 and 2027 second-round picks to the Knicks.
Realistically, the Wizards will probably pick between No. 1 to No. 10 in 2025, though 2026 is up in the air.
Based on previous trades, the Wizards’ 2026 and 2030 first-round draft picks could be swapped with the Phoenix Suns, and their 2028 first-round pick could be swapped to the Suns, Brooklyn Nets, or Philadelphia 76ers.
The Wizards could receive an additional first-round pick in 2030 from the Golden State Warriors if it is below No. 20, meaning that pick is Top 20 protected for Golden State. Should that pick be in the Top 20, the Wizards will receive the Warriors’ 2030 second-round pick.
Future second-round draft picks through 2030 that are dependent on the order of a future draft
Here are the picks the Wizards may receive depending on draft order in future seasons:
- 2025 Golden State Warriors
- 2026 Portland Trail Blazers
- 2027 Brooklyn Nets
Hopefully, this clarifies how the salary cap and draft picks could factor into the Wizards’ future. Thanks again to SalarySwish for their insight in figuring out all of these details.