Washington Wizards

Front office and bench

Ownership

Ted Leonsis (Monumental Sports & Entertainment)

President of Monumental Basketball

Michael Winger since 2023

General Manager

Will Dawkins since 2023

Assistants

• David VanterpoolAssistant coach
• Patrick EwingAssistant coach
• Cody ToppertAssistant coach
• Adam CapornAssistant coach
• T.J. SorrentineAssistant coach
• Alexis AjinçaAssistant coach / Player development

The direction

What the franchise says and what its moves show

After four straight seasons of 60 or more losses, Washington considers the teardown phase over and is aiming for the playoffs for the first time since 2021. Winger and Dawkins' plan is for two veterans, Trae Young and Anthony Davis, to guide a young core led by Dybantsa and Sarr.

Building around

AJ Dybantsa Alex Sarr Trae Young Anthony Davis Kyshawn George

What they have said

• They saw an opportunity to pair two former All-Stars to mentor and lead the young group (per ESPN's report, no direct quote).

  Michael Winger and Will Dawkins (president and GM) · ESPN · July 2026

What the data points to

• Losing pays off Very likely

  • It owns its 2027 first-round pick.
  • Every loss adds lottery balls.

Moves

Summer 2026

• Draft: AJ Dybantsa (No. 1); Felix Okpara (No. 46) also arrives from Orlando.
• Trae Young (acquired in January) declines his option and signs for four years and $212M.
• Trade: Deandre Ayton arrives from the Lakers.
• Khris Middleton arrives in a sign-and-trade from Dallas.
• Tre Mann arrives from Charlotte.
• Cam Whitmore, D'Angelo Russell and Jaden Hardy depart.

Latest

• Oct 17 Waived Waived Gs Nolan Hickman, Trevor Keels, Alondes Williams and F Chris Livington.
• Oct 17 Waived Waived Gs Nolan Hickman, Trevor Keels and Alondes Williams. Waived F Chris Livingston.
• Oct 5 Waived Waived G Jazian Gortman.

The roster

14 NBA contracts · 2026-27 salaries

Strengths and weaknesses

Today's roster, facet by facet (league rank)

• Defense 24th
• Rim protection 3rd
• Three-point shooting 29th
• Playmaking 23rd
• Scoring 23rd
• Rebounding 3rd
• Offensive impact 29th

Roster holes

• Needs a quality bigIts best big ranks below 69% of the league.
• Weak in three-point shootingWith today’s rotation it ranks 29th in the league in three-point shooting.
• Weak in offensive impactWith today’s rotation it ranks 29th in the league in offensive impact.

Contracts and extensions

Expiring this season

• Deandre Ayton 27 years old · paid 8.1 M Salary coming off the books
• Bilal Coulibaly 21 years old · paid 9.2 M Restricted free agent Re-signing him would cost about 12.0 M a year

With an option next summer

• Anthony Davis58.5 M · can leave early

Bargains (produce far above their salary, for several years)

None.

Pricey but short (paid more than they produce, but ending soon)

None.

Money and picks

Payroll 191.5 M Cap 165.0 M Tax 200.4 M 1st apron 209.0 M 2nd apron 221.7 M

Payroll

191.5 M · over the cap

Distance to each line

tax: 9.0 M below · 1st apron: 17.6 M below · 2nd apron: 30.2 M below

Next summer

193.2 M committed · no cap space

First-rounders it can trade

2027, 2029, 2031 · 6 swaps

Radar and possible trades

Who could ask about its players

• NYK → Deandre Aytonexpiring contract, produces above his salary
• PHI → Deandre Aytonfills its hole at bigs, expiring contract, produces above his salary
• DEN → Deandre Aytonexpiring contract, produces above his salary
• LAL → Deandre Aytonexpiring contract, produces above his salary

A trade that works under the CBA

Trade pieces

Assets

Justin Champagnie (worth 5.9 M more than his salary), Deandre Ayton (worth 6.7 M more than his salary)

Contracts that weigh

Tre Johnson (overpaid by 9.1 M)

To match salaries

Bilal Coulibaly (9.2 M), Deandre Ayton (8.1 M)