The Washington Wizards’ season is over, and it was not a pretty one to see. However, the Wizards didn’t have a completely silent season in the media. They made some impactful roster moves that will ripple through the team for the foreseeable future. Three moves stand out and could serve the front office well in the future. Let’s dive in.
3 Most Impactful Moves the Wizards Made This Season
1. Kyle Kuzma Trade
Kyle Kuzma came to Washington as part of the Russell Westbrook deal that sent him to Los Angeles to pair with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Kuzma’s time in Washington wasn’t bright for the team. However, he did have his two best statistical seasons for the Wizards and was even considered a fringe All-Star at one point. The same can not be said for the first half of this season. He was on pace to have his worst season in the league and one of the worst in Wizards history. He was averaging 15.2 points on 42% from the field and a horrid 28.1% from three. His style of play no longer fit the squad, and at the deadline, he was moved for Khris Middleton and AJ Johnson. The deal, in retrospect, was a huge win for the Wizards.
Middleton can be an excellent mentor to the younger players on the team while still being a solid contributor. In Washington, Middleton averaged 10.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists across the 14 games he played for the Wizards. With the injuries Middleton has had, he will most likely pick up his player-option headed into next season. However, his leadership outweighs the potential injury concerns for his giant price tag.
Johnson has shown flashes of what could be a great addition to the roster in the future. The Bucks had been in the playoff chase since the beginning of the year, trying to bring Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Finals. That said, little minutes were given to Johnson, who only saw action in seven games before the trade. Once he arrived in Washington, he saw an expanded role and played around 27 minutes in the 22 games he saw action in. He finished the season averaging 9.1 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.4 rebounds for Washington. While shooting is an area of focus in the offseason, the Wizards grabbed a steal in the trade.
2. Signing Justin Champagnie to a Four-Year Deal
Justin Champagnie played in 62 games this season and began seeing starting minutes, with around 21.6 a game. While his averages don’t jump off the charts, it’s the consistency on offense that makes this signing vastly important. His four-year deal secures a spot on the roster. Additionally, a four-year $10 million contract is a small price tag for a guy contributing the way Champagnie did this season.
Champagnie, at 6-foot-6, shot an impressive 51.1% from the field, which was second best for active guys on the roster. This season, he set new career-highs in points (31), rebounds (14), assists (4), steals (5), and blocks (3). He finished the season off with a 27-point showing against the Heat. Not only did he earn his contract, but the front office needs to consider keeping him for the long run as a key rotational player. He finished the season averaging 8.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and an assist.
3. Acquiring Colby Jones and Marcus Smart
Kuzma wasn’t the only Wizard to move at the deadline. Marvin Bagley III and Johnny Davis were both exchanged for Colby Jones, Marcus Smart, now-Laker Alex Len, and a 2025 first-round pick. This was a great return for two guys who didn’t play much. Even when they did play, they didn’t produce much.
Smart is another piece of veteran leadership. The 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year can provide impactful insight on a team that ranked 28th this season in defensive rating. If the Wizards were looking to move him, he still has plenty of value to give a team. Smart finished his Wizards season tenure shooting his best splits in his career; he shot 44% from the field and 39.2% from three. Moreover, he averaged 9.3 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 steals across the 15 games he played in Washington.
Jones never got a chance to show his potential in Sacramento. He played in 54 games across two seasons for the Kings. He never had enough minutes to show what he could do. However, heading to a team tanking will get you minutes. Playing 25.7 minutes across the 15 games he appeared in, Jones played well. He shot 46.6% from the field and scored 20+ in three of those 15 contests. In the last game of the season, Jones had a double-double in 42 minutes of playing time. Jones and Johnson were both “risky” moves to make. For now, it seems that those risks paid off as they can both be potential rotational pieces after the rebuild.
The Last Word
The Wizards’ front office made some other moves during the season. However, these were the most impactful that set the stage for the future of the team. Adding a mix of young and unproven talent with the veterans, these moves added depth and mentors to the squad full of potential. With the draft and free agency approaching quickly, it’ll be interesting to see how these moves affect the offseason.
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