DeMar DeRozan Pursuit Appearing to Fade for Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards saw its roster shuffle a bit after jumping into a five team trade on Wednesday night, acquiring guard Tre Mann from the Cavaliers with the Wizards sending out both Cam Whitmore and Julian Reese. Though the move may have come as a surprise in terms of timing, the departures of both DMV natives were sensible departures given the uphill battle that Whitmore faced to earn minutes on the roster, while Reese's role may have been taken by Felix Okpara, the second round pick who inked a two-way spot.

With now two-way spot in addition to a roster spot now to fill for general manager Will Dawkins, it appears one option may be trending toward not being an option for much longer.

Following Wednesday's five team trade, it now appears it's the Nuggets who are the clear frontrunner to sign DeRozan after news that Denver is pivoting to the veteran after trading

Payton Watson to Cleveland. While the Miami Heat were once viewed as a team expected to make a strong push along with the Toronto Raptors and Cavaliers mentioned, the Wizards were the team most recently linked with some speculation that Washington may be the dark horse in the race.

While the fit may have been the biggest question mark for a veteran still eyeing a significant role in a rotation, a role that may not have been available in Washington, general manager Will Dawkins will now look elsewhere to fill two spots in an increasingly smaller pool of available players to turn to. DeRozan became the second known veteran that the Wizards were in pursuit of alongside Russell Westbrook, who announced his retirement earlier this month despite reportedly holding a two year offer from Washington.

While the move also opens a two way spot for general manager Will Dawkins to fill, the pair of departing Wizards may also find themselves looking for new homes.

While news of the Denver Nuggets waiving Reese was already announced at the time the trade broke, whether Whitmore ultimately sticks in Cleveland is a question after Bobby Marks of ESPN reported on Wednesday night that the Cavaliers are expected to waive and stretch the wing over the next three years. While Whitmore will look to find a new home in 2026-27 and re-prove himself at full strength after blood clots cut his lone season in Washington short, the NBA's re-acquisition rule also prevents a quick reunion with Reese ineligible to join the Wizards until August 2027, though he can sign with the Capital City Go-Go.