According to ESPN, the Memphis Grizzlies made a trade with the Washington Wizards on Thursday. The Grizzlies traded Marcus Smart and a 2025 first-round pick to the Wizards in a three-team trade that sent two second-round picks to Memphis. The Kings sent Colby Jones to the Wizards and received Jake LaRavia from the Grizzlies. The Wizards also sent Johnny Davis to Memphis and received Alex Len from the Kings. Read on for further details.
Memphis Grizzlies-Washington Wizards Trade
The Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards’ trade came in two parts. ESPN’s Shams Charania first posted on X, “The Memphis Grizzlies are trading Marcus Smart and a 2025 first-round pick to the Washington Wizards in a multi-team trade that sends two second-round picks to Memphis, sources tell ESPN. Memphis creates roster flexibility with the move.”
Charania then quoted his first post on X and followed up with, “The Wizards are sending Marvin Bagley III to the Grizzlies as part of the deal, sources tell ESPN. Johnny Davis also sent to Memphis.” Charania’s two tweets were informative, as always, and generated mixed emotions from users. One user said this was still a terrible deal, while another reminded the public that Marvin Bagley was drafted ahead of Luka Doncic, Trae Young, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in 2018.Â
Grizzlies-Wizards Trade Outlook
The Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards’ trade outlook was a tale of two halves and then one halves. The Grizzlies created roster flexibility with this trade, including the ability to renegotiate the contract of Jaren Jackson Jr. Smart hasn’t played for the Grizzlies since December 21, 2024, due to a right index finger injury. Smart has struggled in Memphis, Tennessee, since being acquired from the Boston Celtics in June 2023.
When healthy, Smart is a high-level defender. Smart is a former Defensive Player of the Year for a reason. Smart’s ability to hold his opponents to less than 40% shooting from the field as a primary defender has made him an attractive trade piece in any trade package. Smart has one year remaining on his four-year, $77 million contract extension that he signed with the Celtics.
Grizzlies and Wizards’ Next Steps
The Grizzlies and Washington Wizards’ next steps would be their upcoming games. The Grizzlies will host the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Central and look to win their fifth straight game. The Wizards will host the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday at 7:00 p.m. Eastern looking to win their fourth straight game.
We’ll keep an eye on Smart’s next steps, as he has been considered week-to-week by the Grizzlies before Thursday’s trade with the Wizards and Sacramento Kings. Smart has been limited to individual work and no team drills. Smart has missed more games in the past two years than in his nine-year tenure with the Celtics.
