The Worst Trades in Wizards History

Welcome to the Worst Trades for Each Team in NBA History— a series of stories that looks at arguably the most disastrous move made during a franchise’s time in the league. Per team, we’ll nominate two deals and look at who and what were involved in the trade, the immediate consequences of the move, and the long-term implications it had for whichever teams took part.

These deals are justified as the “worst” using historical context and analyzing what happened because of the trade.

Staff Writers Yazin Ahmed and Dominic Chiappone contributed to this article.

The Worst Trades in Wizards History

Dominic Chiappone: A gift to the Kings

Trade details:

• WAS receives: Mitch Richmond, Otis Thorpe
• SAC receives: Chris Webber

Explanation:

For long-time Wizards fans, we feel your pain with this move.

Flashback to 1997. Washington is in the midst of a promising 44-win campaign, its most wins since 1979 (yes, you read that right). A core of Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Ben Wallace and Rod Strickland was present. After nearly two decades of disaster, Washington was (finally) looking up.

One year later, after a 42-win year, Webber was gone. He got moved to Sacramento for All-NBA third-team scorer Mitch Richmond and Otis Thorpe.

A complete fail across the board. Richmond not only fell off— he wasn’t even an All-Star for the rest of his career. How did Washington not think a mid-thirties, offense-first guard wouldn’t regress? Why get him at the expense of Webber, who later became a dominant force with the Kings in the 2000s? It made no sense then, and it still makes no sense now.

Yazin Ahmed: The Boston Unicorns!

Trade details:

• WAS: Tyus Jones (from MEM), Mike Muscala (via BOS), Danilo Gallinari (via BOS), No. 35 in the 2023 NBA Draft (Julian Phillips, via BOS)
• BOS: Kristaps Porzingis (via WAS), No. 25 in the 2023 NBA Draft (Marcus Sasser, via MEM), 2024 GSW FRP (top-4 protected, via MEM)
• MEM: Marcus Smart (via BOS)

Explanation:

OK, this name needs a little explanation. In 1946, the Boston basketball team was looking for a name and one of the names that popped up was indeed the Unicorns, ironic considering they robbed the Wizards of one last year. 

Anyways, it started on June 21, when a deal landed the Celtics All-Star-caliber big Kristaps Porzingis. The Clippers would acquire 6MOTY Malcolm Brogdon and the Wizards would pick up Marcus Morris, Amir Coffey and pick No. 30 in the 2023 NBA Draft. 

A few hours later, the deal abruptly fell apart due to the Clippers’ worry over Brogdon’s availability.

Boston was still adamant about adding the Unicorn that they finalized a deal an hour later to acquire KP and two FRPs, sending Marcus Smart to Memphis. Washington would receive Tyus Jones, Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala and pick No. 35 in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Now, this was an automatic downgrade, but it just stings more now with the results. 

How the deal played out:

Washington reportedly sought a first-round draft pick for the expiring Jones. He wasn’t dealt and they lost him to Phoenix this past summer for nothing. Gallo and Moose were both flipped to Detroit in January for Marvin Bagley III primarily, who has been quite disappointing, as many expected to see him at least expose a glimmer of hope or promise in DC. That 35th pick was sent to Chicago for two SRPs in 2026 and 2027. The pick ended up being Julian Phillips. So really, they got four SRPs for an All-Star-caliber big man in Kristaps. 

What stings even more is how valuable KP was to the C’s championship run this season, being the interior presence on both sides of the ball they desperately needed. On top of this, Boston got pick 25, who ended up being Marcus Sasser. Sasser had a solid rookie year in Detroit, averaging eight points and three assists per game.

Boston also landed the Warriors’ 2024 FRP in this trade. With Golden State’s struggles this season, it ended up at the bottom of the lottery. The C’s used this plus Brogdon to acquire Jrue Holiday last October, another key piece to their ring.

Portland used this pick (No. 14) to acquire Deni Avdija from, ironically, Washington. How they let this pick go to Boston instead of Washington was a royal screw-up on the Wizards’ end. Washington took Carlton Carrington with this pick but could’ve owned it if they had played this smarter.

So overall, Washington lost an All-Star big man for four SRPs and Marvin Bagley III. This will go down as a forgotten but massive miss in Wizards’ history.