The Washington Wizards have recently agreed to buyout deals with guards Marcus Smart and Blake Wesley, resulting in a significant reduction of over $8 million in team salary. Marcus Smart chose to forfeit $6.8 million of his $21.59 million salary, while Blake Wesley gave up approximately $1.38 million of his $4.73 million salary as part of this agreement. Consequently, the Wizards’ salary cap will reflect a total of $18,134,313 instead of the previous $26,313,184.
Smart is expected to sign a two-year, $10.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers once he clears waivers. While Blake Wesley’s next destination is still uncertain, his willingness to give up part of his salary suggests he might have a promising opportunity ahead.
Despite the buyouts, the Wizards will not create additional cap room, as they continue to operate over the salary cap. However, their salary cap stands at approximately $153.8 million, which is over $34 million below the luxury tax line of $187.9 million. Additionally, they retain nearly $39 million in flexibility beneath the first tax apron due to Khris Middleton’s unlikely incentives.
The cap savings from Smart and Wesley’s buyouts position the Wizards to become key facilitators in potential trades for the remainder of the 2025 offseason and the 2025/26 regular season. NBA teams seeking to reduce salaries or requiring a third team for trade agreements will likely turn to the Wizards’ front office first, especially if draft assets or young prospects are included in the negotiations.
Furthermore, the Wizards still hold their full non-taxpayer mid-level exception valued at $14.1 million, along with two trade exceptions of $13.45 million and $9.9 million. Although combining these exceptions for a player with a salary exceeding $14.1 million is not permitted, they can be utilized separately to acquire multiple players fitting within the designated limits.
This proactive approach by the Wizards not only streamlines their salary cap but also enhances their potential in future trades, giving the team greater flexibility and opportunities as they look to strengthen their roster.
Overall, the Wizards’ moves reflect a strategic mindset aimed at maximizing their resources in a competitive NBA landscape, potentially paving the way for a brighter future.