The Washington Wizards had plenty of reason to stay out of the Jaylen Brown sweepstakes, and Brown’s 76ers debut only reinforced that call.
Brown, who was dealt from the Boston Celtics to Philadelphia in one of the offseason’s biggest shocks, had drawn interest from Washington before the move was finalized. But making it happen for the Wizards would have taken a major package built around Anthony Davis, and that was always the real hurdle. Given how the roster is shaped, the price would have been too steep for a player who doesn’t cleanly solve Washington’s biggest problems.
Philadelphia opened the season by knocking off the reigning champion New York Knicks, and Brown chipped in 19 points, eight rebounds and 6 assists. Even with that solid showing, the Wizards still came out of this situation looking smart for passing.
The main issue is fit. Washington’s wing spot is already crowded, and AJ Dybantsa is the franchise’s most important long-term piece.
He was the number one overall pick, and his natural position is small forward - the same spot Brown plays. Adding Brown would have squeezed out the minutes and touches Dybantsa needs right now, and that would have complicated his growth.
There’s also the Trae Young problem. Brown and Young both need the ball in their hands to thrive, which makes the pairing awkward on paper and even harder in practice.
The reason Brown can work in Philadelphia is tied to Tyrese Maxey’s ability to operate off the ball. Young isn’t that kind of player.
Davis may be older and perhaps a slightly lesser player at this point, but he makes more sense for Washington. He brings elite defense, he fits as a pick-and-roll weapon with Young, and his presence can create space for everyone else even when the ball isn’t in his hands. Brown doesn’t offer that same kind of value away from the ball.
And while Davis doesn’t give you much as a 3-point shooter, the Wizards can live with that because of his position and what he does everywhere else. Brown’s perimeter shooting inconsistency would hit the offense harder, especially since he isn’t an elite shooter himself.
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There is already some early stress in the picture, though, because one of the young pieces the Wizards hoped to see is out after rolling his ankle in the preseason finale. Khris Middleton is expected to play, which helps stabilize the group on paper, but Keefe still has to figure out exactly where he fits and how much of the roster shuffle should be driven by development versus immediate competitiveness, the kind of balancing act that can define a season before it really gets going. [Read more 🡒]
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The early games will also say plenty about whether the frontcourt gains the Wizards showed in preseason can carry over once the results start counting. If the offense can get organized and the defense can hold up against a softer run of competition, Washington could avoid digging itself an early hole. If not, the same issues that made last season such a grind could show up again before the schedule gets any kinder. [Read more 🡒]
Tre Johnson Is Already Pushing Anthony Davis The Way Wizards Need
Anthony Davis is still adjusting to life in Washington, but the bigger takeaway from practice has been the way he and rookie Tre Johnson are already interacting like teammates who expect something from each other. The 10-time All-Star and member of the NBAs 75th Anniversary Team is entering the 2026-27 season with the Wizards carrying obvious expectations, and Davis said mutual accountability matters as he works alongside a young player who is not shy about putting pressure on him.
For Washington, that kind of edge is part of what makes the pairing interesting. Davis still has to prove he can stay healthy and perform at the level the Wizards need if they are going to chase a playoff spot, and his preseason has been more modest than headline-grabbing so far. Even so, the early tone between veteran star and rookie has given the team something it can build on, especially if the standard in practice keeps getting higher. [Read more 🡒]