Wing Corey Kispert reportedly joins CJ McCollum as trade targets on the Washington Wizards for teams around the league
The Washington Wizards fell to 5-23 on Tuesday after blowing a first-half lead in an eventual 126-109 loss at Charlotte, securing already the fourth losing streak of the 2025-26 season with head coach Brian Keefe's team in full tank mode. With the Wizards the heavy favorite for the best chance at the top overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft - if league commissioner Adam Silver doesn't change the rules before then - Washington is staring at their third consecutive season failing to reach 20 wins, making the Wizards clear sellers ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
Wizards were tiered in the 'gaining assets' category given the team has "prioritized cap space to acquire assets."
"Over the last year or so, the Wizards have done a brilliant job of properly becoming a rebuilding team. They’re not just nailing the draft pick selections; they started prioritizing cap flexibility and draft-asset acquisitions. Now they’re going to have a lot of roster and cap malleability starting this summer, but it wouldn’t shock me to see them get involved with trades at the deadline as a third or fourth team. In return, they take on a contract that needs jettisoning, and it comes with some kind of pick," The Athletic wrote.
The Athletic also pointed to CJ McCollum, who is on the final year of his two-year $64 million contract, as the most likely target to watch as the trade deadline inches closer with the Los Angeles Clippers reportedly interest.
"McCollum and Khris Middleton are the two Washington veterans teams will have their eye on in the buyout market, but of the two, only McCollum has played well enough to have real value on the trade market. His $30.7 million expiring salary is a major stumbling block, but one can envision deals where teams looking to shed 2026-27 money pay the Wizards in draft capital to take on salary beyond this season, especially since Washington has more cap room (roughly $80 million) than it could possibly use next summer," The Athletic added.
McCollum isn't the only one with a report on Tuesday pointing to Corey Kispert among the wing players across the league who are reportedly garnering interest from the Milwaukee Bucks. He is on the first year of his four year, $54 million contract in a season he's played just 17 games and shooting over 50% from the floor and 40% from three.
Kispert suffered yet another injury in his first game back after suffering a right thumb injury earlier this month, but with the season already lost and the Wizards looking to build around its young core, the veteran additions on the roster give the front office a chance to bolster the outlook of the franchise's future.
"Deals with expiring money and draft picks are also possible, though seemingly less likely. One thought bubble, if the LA Clippers can get off the mat in the next eight weeks: Would they trade two seconds along with the expiring money of John Collins, Kobe Brown and Chris Paul, to get McCollum?"