Where Wizards roster, cap space stands post-Anthony Davis trade

The rebuilding phase of the Washington Wizards has been a struggle for fans to endure with the team coming off consecutive seasons with the team failing to eclipse 20 wins, but in a 2025-26 season where head coach Brian Keefe has watched Alex Sarr make one of the biggest sophomore jumps across the league alongside the rest of the young core, there's a reason Michael Winger noted the deconstruction phase was complete in the nation's capital.

Less than one month after the Wizards traded two players including an expiring contract for Trae Young, the front office dealt three expiring contracts along with AJ Johnson in exchange for Anthony Davis alongside three others, including D'Angelo Russell.

While the addition of a pair of former All-Stars gives Washington a veteran presence around its young pieces, it also gives the roster a chance to continue to develop as Anthony Davis joins Trae Young in the recovery process. And with the top-eight protected pick still in Washington's possession, Washington won't rush either following the All-Star break. But similar to Young, Washington will want to see how the two stars mesh with the rest of the roster ahead of an offseason with gradually elevated expectations.

As the roster for next season currently stands, Washington has 12 players under contract for next season, one first round pick and three second round picks, though the Wizards' pick will be sent to New York if they remain inside the top eight of the first round as it's expected to be. Washington also owns five first round picks through 2030 thanks to the Bradley Beal trade that keeps on giving courtesy of Phoenix, but the makeup of next season is now a bit more clear for general manager Will Dawkins.

Following the Young and Davis trade, the Wizards are now roughly $4 million under the salary cap, $32.2 million away from the luxury tax and $41.2 million away from the first apron. The second apron, expected to be set at $223.7 million, is a distant $54 million away, but roster space might be the bigger question. That's also prior to the NBA Draft where the organization will likely take on another eight figure contract, but as Michael Winger noted, the organization is now in that period where evaluations for the young players are coming into focus with Washington looking to transition into the next phase of the rebuild.

With four draft picks and 12 spots filled, what the Wizards do to add roster flexibility ahead of the 2026-27 season is the next question for Dawkins and company. We take a look at the early but updated offseason outlook with Washington's rebuild coming into focus in Dawkins' third year with the organization.

Current Wizards 2026-27 payroll: $169,476,622

Anthony Davis: $58,456,566

Trae Young: $48,967,380 (player option)

Alex Sarr: $12,370,680 (team option)

Bilal Coulibaly: $9,240,012

Tre Johnson: $8,649,600

Jaden Hardy: $6,000,000

D'Angelo Russell: $5,969,250

Cam Whitmore: $5,458,310 (team option)

Bub Carrington: $4,900,560 (team option)

Will Riley: $3,688,320

Kyshawn George: $3,108,000 (team option)

Justin Champagnie: $2,667,944