Jordan Poole, despite being only 25 years old, does not fit the Washington Wizards’ timeline, and the team is expected to deal him this summer.
The Washington Wizards are in no rush. After finishing last season with the second-worst record in the NBA, the Wizards landed the sixth pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and will also pick 18th, courtesy of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Between Bub Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly, Alexandre Sarr, AJ Johnson, and Kyshawn George, Washington boasts a core of players who are all under 22 years old. Jordan Poole, at 25, is their best player, although the Wizards could trade him this summer and remain patient, building through the draft.
Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty ImagesWizards expected to part with Poole
Poole has two seasons left on his contract and has proven earlier in his career that he can be a third or fourth option on a title team, but he is not equipped to be the leader on a winning team.
As win-now teams look for a scoring boost in the backcourt, Washington could add draft picks and expiring contracts in exchange for Poole, and it could happen as soon as June 25, the day of the draft.
“There’s growing belief that Jordan Poole could be moved, either on draft night or later this summer,” wrote NBA Draft Junkies’ Rafael Barlow. “That potential shake-up adds another layer to Washington’s draft strategy and could open up a path for a new backcourt face.”
With Carrington showing promise as a floor general, George and Coulibaly already serviceable wings, and Sarr brimming with two-way potential, the Wizards, much like the Utah Jazz, are expected to remain near the bottom of the standings next season as they build organically.
Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY SportsWizards’ options to replace Poole
If the Wizards trade away their best player, it stands to reason that they will target his replacement in the draft. Urgent areas of need for Washington include both an off-ball scorer and a power forward, which is why we have them selecting VJ Edgecombe and Asa Newell in our NBA mock draft.
With the sixth overall pick, the Wizards will be able to get a top young player, although they won’t have their pick of the litter. The top three players are Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Ace Bailey, and after that, things get murky.
Washington could land Edgecombe, Tre Johnson, Khaman Maluach, or Kon Knueppel, all of whom are talented players who would impact winning, especially after they have time to develop.
Don’t expect the Wizards to go chasing stars via a trade or free agency this summer. They have a clear-cut path to build a long-term winner, although it will likely take them another two seasons before they make the playoffs.
They have no shortage of young talent. They just need to make the playoffs.