Could the Washington Wizards make another trade ahead of next week's NBA trade deadline?
Should the Wizards trade for Lonzo Ball?
The Washington Wizards have made the blockbuster trade of the 2025-26 season so far, though a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade has become the bigger storyline around the NBA ahead of next week's Feb. 5 trade deadline. But the bigger question is could Washington be done?
A report on Saturday pointed to Cleveland Cavaliers guard Lonzo Ball as one the Wizards were monitoring ahead of the trade deadline - with a caveat.
"The Washington Wizards are among the teams that have checked in on Ball, HoopsHype has learned," Scotto wrote. "The Wizards have been open to being incentivized with draft pick compensation to use their nearly $30 million in luxury tax room space and traded player exceptions for teams needing to dump salary, league sources told HoopsHype."
The draft compensation is the critical side for the Wizards with a chance to add future draft capital while not drastically impacting the long-term vision for the team under general manager Will Dawkins.
Ball also adds additional appeal given he is in year one of a two year, $20 million contract that features a team option this upcoming offseason, giving the front office a chance to decide on what to do. While the deal may seem far fetched at first glance, a second mid-season trade with Ball could give Washington more to work with ahead of a 2026-27 season that will include elevated expectations.
Ball has started in just three games across 34 appearances this season, averaging 4.6 points on 29.9% shooting from the field - both career lows - along with four rebounds and 3.9 assists. This marks his first season in Cleveland after spending two seasons each with the Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans and Chicago Bulls.
Washington has also found itself loosely tied to others around the league including Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler, though updating reporting pointed to Alex Sarr being viewed as the team's future at center, as expected. Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis and Ball's teammate, Darius Garland, were also at one point linked to the Wizards before the front office made a move to acquire Trae Young in exchange for CJ Middleton and Corey Kispert.
The Wizards have found other players along the roster as potential movers ahead of the second half of the season. Forward Marvin Bagley has missed five consecutive games due to a back injury, though he has materialized into one drawing interest from teams around the league. Veteran Khris Middleton, who missed the second of the back-to-back in Friday night's loss against the Lakers, has also drawn buzz as a potential mover at some point. Initially viewed as a trade deadline target after being acquired by Washington in the Kyle Kuzma deal last season, Middleton has drawn lukewarm interest as Josh Robbins of The Athletic noted he could be a reported buyout candidate following the deadline.