Wizards’ trade looks huge
An overlooked Washington Wizards trade is being called a potential all‑time steal — a deal crediting the franchise’s current rookie surge and helping power a strong season for their young core (si.com).
On draft night (June 25, 2025) Washington traded the No. 18 overall pick (Walter Clayton Jr.) to Utah in exchange for the Nos. 21 and 43 picks in 2025 plus second‑round picks in 2031 and 2032, and the Wizards used No. 21 to land Will Riley. (espn.com) The No. 43 selection became Florida State wing Jamir Watkins, who was officially recorded as Washington’s 43rd pick on draft night and later signed to a roster deal after the night’s transactions. (seminoles.com) Will Riley’s 2025–26 box score output shows a 8.6 points per game season average and a 43.3% FG mark, and his game logs include back‑to‑back 21‑point performances on March 16 and March 17. (espn.com) The two future second‑rounders Washington received were explicitly the 2031 and 2032 picks, turning a single first‑round slot into four draft assets across 2025 and future drafts. (hoopsrumors.com) Local and national outlets have pointed to Riley’s on‑court lift plus the addition of Jamir Watkins and other Day Two assets as the primary drivers behind Washington’s unexpected rookie production this season. (msn.com)
