By rikififi90 
The Washington Wizards have stirred the NBA market by acquiring guard Marcus Smart in a three-team trade involving the Memphis Grizzlies and the Sacramento Kings. The deal included five other players and multiple draft picks, significantly altering the structure of the three franchises involved. Smart, known for his intense defense and leadership on the court, joins the Wizards to strengthen a roster undergoing a major rebuild. Along with Smart, Washington received Alex Len and Colby Jones, as well as a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The Memphis Grizzlies, in turn, sent Smart to Washington and, in exchange, acquired Marvin Bagley III and Johnny Davis. Additionally, the franchise secured a second-round pick in the 2028 Draft from the Sacramento Kings. The Kings, as part of the deal, added Jake LaRavia to their roster to enhance their bench depth. With this trade, the Wizards continue their rebuilding strategy, accumulating valuable pieces for the future.
The move came just days before the NBA’s trade deadline and reflects the Wizards’ efforts to build a more competitive team for the future. Currently holding the league’s worst record, the team is betting on restructuring through new acquisitions and draft selections. With Smart’s arrival, Washington aims to bring in an experienced player who can contribute both on and off the court, helping develop young talent while providing much-needed defensive stability.
MARCUS SMART É O NOVO JOGADOR DO WASHINGTON WIZARDS!
MEMPHIS RECEBE TRÊS ESCOLHAS DE 2ºR.
WASHINGTON RECEBE UMA ESCOLHA DE 1ºR!
🗞 @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/SeANG9Uw0r
— Pisou Na Linha 🏀🇧🇷 (@pisounalinha) February 6, 2025
Marcus Smart’s impact on the Washington Wizards
Marcus Smart’s acquisition is a strategic move for the Wizards, who have struggled to establish a solid defense in recent seasons. As one of the league’s most aggressive and effective defenders, Smart brings a winning mentality and valuable experience to a team in need of leadership. He was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and has consistently been recognized for his ability to impact the game without being a primary offensive option.
Additionally, Smart’s presence can help develop young talents, especially the team’s rookie and sophomore guards who can benefit from learning from a veteran. His defensive versatility allows Washington to have more options in containing key opponents, something the team has struggled with in recent years. His addition also provides more structure to the defensive system, giving the coaching staff flexibility in rotations.
The Wizards’ coaching staff expects Smart to be a key piece in the team’s rebuilding efforts, bringing a competitive and disciplined mindset. While the franchise is focused on the 2025 NBA Draft and scouting young prospects, having an experienced leader could accelerate the rebuilding process and prevent seasons of complete dysfunction. Smart is under contract through the end of the 2025 season, earning $41.8 million over that period.
Wizards’ recent trade deadline moves
The Smart trade was not the only major move the Wizards made this week. Before finalizing the deal with the Grizzlies and Kings, the franchise completed other significant transactions to reshape its roster. In a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks, Washington sent Kyle Kuzma and Patrick Baldwin, acquiring Khris Middleton and AJ Johnson in return, along with a 2028 pick swap and a second-round pick in 2025.
Another major move was the trade with the Sacramento Kings, in which the Wizards parted ways with center Jonas Valančiūnas. In return, Washington received Sidy Cissoko and two second-round picks for the 2028 and 2029 Drafts. However, Cissoko was quickly waived, indicating that the franchise was more focused on acquiring future assets than immediate reinforcements.
On the final day of the trade deadline, Washington also completed a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers, sending Jared Butler and four second-round picks. In exchange, the Wizards received Reggie Jackson and a first-round pick. However, Jackson was also waived shortly after the trade, making it clear that Washington’s strategy is to accumulate valuable assets for future deals rather than strengthening its current roster.
How the trade impacts the Memphis Grizzlies
Marcus Smart’s departure from the Memphis Grizzlies significantly impacts the team’s salary cap. His contract was set to cost $41.8 million through the end of the 2025 season, and his exit gives the franchise more financial flexibility for future signings. With Marvin Bagley III and Johnny Davis joining, the Grizzlies acquired two players with expiring contracts, which helps create additional cap space.
Moreover, the decision to trade Smart aligns with Memphis’ broader plan to strengthen its roster for the upcoming season. The team currently sits in second place in the Western Conference and is looking to solidify itself as a championship contender. With more cap space, the franchise will now have greater flexibility to re-sign Jaren Jackson Jr., one of its key players.
Unlike some other teams that aggressively pursued reinforcements at the trade deadline, the Grizzlies opted for a more conservative approach. While Western Conference rivals like the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and San Antonio Spurs made major acquisitions, Memphis prioritized financial flexibility and planning for future moves.
What the trade means for the Sacramento Kings
For the Sacramento Kings, the deal had a more modest impact, without major changes to the team’s core. The addition of Jake LaRavia brings in a young player who can add depth to the roster, but he is unlikely to play a significant role in the team’s rotation. The 23-year-old forward has an expiring contract and will become a free agent at the end of the season. Since the Kings do not hold his rookie contract rights, the most they can offer him is a $5.1 million salary.
Despite this, Sacramento had already made more significant moves earlier in the trade window. One of the biggest trades involved sending star point guard De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs, while the Kings acquired Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls as part of the deal. Additionally, Sacramento added Jonas Valančiūnas to its roster, ensuring more depth in the frontcourt.
Currently ranked ninth in the Western Conference, Sacramento hopes its recent transactions will make it more competitive for the playoffs. The team remains in the play-in tournament zone and aims to establish itself as a serious postseason contender in the second half of the season.
Contracts of players involved in the trade
- Washington Wizards receive: Marcus Smart ($41.8 million through the 2025 season), Alex Len (expiring $2.1 million contract), Colby Jones (expiring $2.1 million contract)
- Memphis Grizzlies receive: Marvin Bagley III (expiring $12.5 million contract), Johnny Davis (expiring $5.3 million contract)
- Sacramento Kings receive: Jake LaRavia (expiring $3.3 million contract)
What’s next for the Washington Wizards?
This trade marks a clear rebuilding strategy for the Wizards, focusing on the Draft and the development of young talent. With the worst record in the league, Washington is prioritizing accumulating assets to construct a competitive roster for the future. The 2025 NBA Draft is expected to feature two potential generational talents at the top: Cooper Flagg (Duke) and Dylan Harper (Rutgers), and the Wizards are intent on securing a high pick to select one of them.
Marcus Smart’s arrival could help establish a more disciplined and defensive-oriented culture, even though his immediate impact might not be enough to turn the team into a playoff contender. The franchise’s focus now will be on evaluating its young players, fostering internal development, and planning future transactions to accelerate the rebuilding process.
The Washington Wizards have stirred the NBA market by acquiring guard Marcus Smart in a three-team trade involving the Memphis Grizzlies and the Sacramento Kings. The deal included five other players and multiple draft picks, significantly altering the structure of the three franchises involved. Smart, known for his intense defense and leadership on the court, joins the Wizards to strengthen a roster undergoing a major rebuild. Along with Smart, Washington received Alex Len and Colby Jones, as well as a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The Memphis Grizzlies, in turn, sent Smart to Washington and, in exchange, acquired Marvin Bagley III and Johnny Davis. Additionally, the franchise secured a second-round pick in the 2028 Draft from the Sacramento Kings. The Kings, as part of the deal, added Jake LaRavia to their roster to enhance their bench depth. With this trade, the Wizards continue their rebuilding strategy, accumulating valuable pieces for the future.
The move came just days before the NBA’s trade deadline and reflects the Wizards’ efforts to build a more competitive team for the future. Currently holding the league’s worst record, the team is betting on restructuring through new acquisitions and draft selections. With Smart’s arrival, Washington aims to bring in an experienced player who can contribute both on and off the court, helping develop young talent while providing much-needed defensive stability.
MARCUS SMART É O NOVO JOGADOR DO WASHINGTON WIZARDS!
MEMPHIS RECEBE TRÊS ESCOLHAS DE 2ºR.
WASHINGTON RECEBE UMA ESCOLHA DE 1ºR!
🗞 @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/SeANG9Uw0r
— Pisou Na Linha 🏀🇧🇷 (@pisounalinha) February 6, 2025
Marcus Smart’s impact on the Washington Wizards
Marcus Smart’s acquisition is a strategic move for the Wizards, who have struggled to establish a solid defense in recent seasons. As one of the league’s most aggressive and effective defenders, Smart brings a winning mentality and valuable experience to a team in need of leadership. He was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and has consistently been recognized for his ability to impact the game without being a primary offensive option.
Additionally, Smart’s presence can help develop young talents, especially the team’s rookie and sophomore guards who can benefit from learning from a veteran. His defensive versatility allows Washington to have more options in containing key opponents, something the team has struggled with in recent years. His addition also provides more structure to the defensive system, giving the coaching staff flexibility in rotations.
The Wizards’ coaching staff expects Smart to be a key piece in the team’s rebuilding efforts, bringing a competitive and disciplined mindset. While the franchise is focused on the 2025 NBA Draft and scouting young prospects, having an experienced leader could accelerate the rebuilding process and prevent seasons of complete dysfunction. Smart is under contract through the end of the 2025 season, earning $41.8 million over that period.
Wizards’ recent trade deadline moves
The Smart trade was not the only major move the Wizards made this week. Before finalizing the deal with the Grizzlies and Kings, the franchise completed other significant transactions to reshape its roster. In a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks, Washington sent Kyle Kuzma and Patrick Baldwin, acquiring Khris Middleton and AJ Johnson in return, along with a 2028 pick swap and a second-round pick in 2025.
Another major move was the trade with the Sacramento Kings, in which the Wizards parted ways with center Jonas Valančiūnas. In return, Washington received Sidy Cissoko and two second-round picks for the 2028 and 2029 Drafts. However, Cissoko was quickly waived, indicating that the franchise was more focused on acquiring future assets than immediate reinforcements.
On the final day of the trade deadline, Washington also completed a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers, sending Jared Butler and four second-round picks. In exchange, the Wizards received Reggie Jackson and a first-round pick. However, Jackson was also waived shortly after the trade, making it clear that Washington’s strategy is to accumulate valuable assets for future deals rather than strengthening its current roster.
How the trade impacts the Memphis Grizzlies
Marcus Smart’s departure from the Memphis Grizzlies significantly impacts the team’s salary cap. His contract was set to cost $41.8 million through the end of the 2025 season, and his exit gives the franchise more financial flexibility for future signings. With Marvin Bagley III and Johnny Davis joining, the Grizzlies acquired two players with expiring contracts, which helps create additional cap space.
Moreover, the decision to trade Smart aligns with Memphis’ broader plan to strengthen its roster for the upcoming season. The team currently sits in second place in the Western Conference and is looking to solidify itself as a championship contender. With more cap space, the franchise will now have greater flexibility to re-sign Jaren Jackson Jr., one of its key players.
Unlike some other teams that aggressively pursued reinforcements at the trade deadline, the Grizzlies opted for a more conservative approach. While Western Conference rivals like the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and San Antonio Spurs made major acquisitions, Memphis prioritized financial flexibility and planning for future moves.
What the trade means for the Sacramento Kings
For the Sacramento Kings, the deal had a more modest impact, without major changes to the team’s core. The addition of Jake LaRavia brings in a young player who can add depth to the roster, but he is unlikely to play a significant role in the team’s rotation. The 23-year-old forward has an expiring contract and will become a free agent at the end of the season. Since the Kings do not hold his rookie contract rights, the most they can offer him is a $5.1 million salary.
Despite this, Sacramento had already made more significant moves earlier in the trade window. One of the biggest trades involved sending star point guard De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs, while the Kings acquired Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls as part of the deal. Additionally, Sacramento added Jonas Valančiūnas to its roster, ensuring more depth in the frontcourt.
Currently ranked ninth in the Western Conference, Sacramento hopes its recent transactions will make it more competitive for the playoffs. The team remains in the play-in tournament zone and aims to establish itself as a serious postseason contender in the second half of the season.
Contracts of players involved in the trade
- Washington Wizards receive: Marcus Smart ($41.8 million through the 2025 season), Alex Len (expiring $2.1 million contract), Colby Jones (expiring $2.1 million contract)
- Memphis Grizzlies receive: Marvin Bagley III (expiring $12.5 million contract), Johnny Davis (expiring $5.3 million contract)
- Sacramento Kings receive: Jake LaRavia (expiring $3.3 million contract)
What’s next for the Washington Wizards?
This trade marks a clear rebuilding strategy for the Wizards, focusing on the Draft and the development of young talent. With the worst record in the league, Washington is prioritizing accumulating assets to construct a competitive roster for the future. The 2025 NBA Draft is expected to feature two potential generational talents at the top: Cooper Flagg (Duke) and Dylan Harper (Rutgers), and the Wizards are intent on securing a high pick to select one of them.
Marcus Smart’s arrival could help establish a more disciplined and defensive-oriented culture, even though his immediate impact might not be enough to turn the team into a playoff contender. The franchise’s focus now will be on evaluating its young players, fostering internal development, and planning future transactions to accelerate the rebuilding process.
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