By Tiffany Williams –
The NBA trade deadline was Thursday at 3 p.m., and the Washington Wizards were busy making moves.
On Wednesday, the Washington Wizards made a significant strategic move by acquiring promising young guard Sidy Cissoko, along with additional draft considerations, from the Sacramento Kings. This acquisition comes as a calculated effort to inject new talent into the roster. In exchange, the Wizards agreed to part ways with seasoned center Jonas Valanciunas, a veteran known for his impactful presence in the post and ability to score efficiently around the basket.
The following day, on Thursday, the Wizards further strengthened their lineup by bringing in veteran guard Reggie Jackson from the Philadelphia 76ers. This deal not only provided Washington with a seasoned presence in the backcourt but also included draft considerations from the 76ers, bolstering the Wizards’ strategy for future drafts. In return, Philadelphia received valuable draft assets from the Wizards, which will enhance their flexibility in the upcoming draft, allowing them to better position their roster for upcoming seasons.
From the Sacramento Kings, in addition to Cissoko, the Wizards also acquired talented young guard Colby Jones and the experienced center Alex Len. Len, standing 7 feet tall and weighing 250 pounds, was originally selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 5th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. After spending five seasons with the Suns, he had stints with the Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, and Toronto Raptors, as well as a previous season in Washington during the 2020-21 campaign. Throughout his career, Len has averaged 6.7 points and 5.3 rebounds over 680 games across 12 seasons, showcasing his role as a reliable option off the bench. This season, he appeared in 36 games for Sacramento, averaging 1.4 points per game.
Colby Jones, standing at 6 feet 6 inches and weighing 207 pounds, was selected 34th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2023 NBA Draft before being traded to Sacramento at the start of the 2023-24 season. During his two seasons with the Kings, Jones has averaged 1.7 points and 1.2 rebounds per game over 54 appearances, indicating his potential as a developing player within the league.
In another noteworthy transaction with the Memphis Grizzlies, the Wizards acquired dynamic guard Marcus Smart, known for his exceptional defensive skills and leadership qualities on the court, along with a protected first-round pick for the year 2025. For their part, the Grizzlies received promising guard Johnny Davis and versatile forward Marvin Bagley III, alongside additional draft considerations from the Wizards. This exchange marks a substantial movement of young talent between both teams, highlighting each franchise’s strategic directions.
Smart, a former Defensive Player of the Year (2021-22) and a three-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection, was selected by the Boston Celtics in the 2014 NBA Draft with the 6th overall pick. With 11 seasons of experience, he has played in 620 career games (386 as a starter), averaging 10.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game between his time with the Celtics and the Grizzlies. Additionally, Smart has extensive playoff experience, having participated in 108 playoff games (73 starts) across 21 series, including a memorable run to the NBA Finals with the Celtics in the 2021-22 season. This season, he has played in 19 games for Memphis, averaging 8.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.
Later on Thursday night, the Wizards announced another major acquisition, securing forward Khris Middleton, guard Akeem Jamaal (AJ) Johnson, the right to swap a 2028 first-round draft pick, and cash considerations from the Milwaukee Bucks. This deal was in exchange for forward Kyle Kuzma and a 2025 second-round pick. As part of a complex four-team trade, the Wizards also acquired the draft rights to promising forward Mathias Lessort from the New York Knicks while shipping young forward Patrick Baldwin Jr. to the San Antonio Spurs.
Middleton, measuring 6 feet 7 inches and weighing 222 pounds, was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the 2012 NBA Draft with the 39th overall pick before being traded to Milwaukee the following year. A three-time All-Star (2019, 2020, 2022), he was instrumental in Team USA’s gold medal victory at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Over his 13-season career with Detroit and Milwaukee, Middleton has played 762 games (657 starts) and averaged 16.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. His playoff experience includes nine postseason appearances, where he has achieved notable success, averaging 20.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game in 80 playoff games, contributing significantly to Milwaukee’s 2021 NBA Championship run.
Johnson, a 6-foot-5 guard weighing 170 pounds, was chosen by the Bucks in the 2024 NBA Draft (23rd overall). Currently, he is averaging 2.9 points, 1.0 rebound, and 1.0 assist per game in his first seven outings with Milwaukee this season. He has also played 25 games for the Bucks’ G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd, where he has demonstrated his capabilities by averaging 13.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 28.6 minutes per game. With this acquisition, Johnson joins a growing contingent of players from the 2024 NBA Draft on Washington’s roster, which includes Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George.
However, in a surprising twist, the Wizards decided to waive both guard Sidy Cissoko and guard Reggie Jackson shortly after their acquisitions, signaling the team’s commitment to continuously evaluating their roster and financial strategy as they prepare for future challenges in an increasingly competitive league.
Sports Insider Daily 