Wizards Routed by Knicks, but Trade Deadline Offers a Glimmer of Hope
The Washington Wizards' rebuild hit another low point Tuesday night in a 132-101 blowout loss to the New York Knicks - a game where the scoreboard told the story from start to finish. Washington never led, never found rhythm, and never looked like a team ready to compete with an Eastern Conference contender.
But as lopsided as the loss was, the timing of it might be oddly fortuitous. With the trade deadline fast approaching, the Wizards have a chance to hit reset - again - and start reshaping the roster in a way that aligns with their long-term goals. The question now is: how aggressive will they be, and can they find deals that close the gap between where they are and where they want to be?
Let’s take a closer look at three trade options that could help Washington move the needle - even if just slightly - toward becoming a more competitive team.
Option 1: Take a Swing on Ousmane Dieng
Proposed Trade:
- Thunder receive: Justin Champagnie, Malaki Branham, 2026 & 2027 Second-Round Picks
- Wizards receive: Ousmane Dieng
One of the glaring issues in Tuesday’s loss was the Wizards’ inability to handle physicality in the paint - especially against Karl-Anthony Towns, who bullied his way to easy buckets. Alexandre Sarr has shown plenty of promise this season, but his lean frame struggled to hold ground against stronger bigs. Marvin Bagley III didn’t offer much help either, continuing his season-long trend of defensive lapses.
That’s where Ousmane Dieng comes in. While still raw and working through growing pains with limited minutes in Oklahoma City, Dieng has flashed defensive upside and rebounding instincts that could complement Sarr in the frontcourt. He has the size and length to help on the glass and contest shots - two areas where Washington has consistently fallen short.
Offensively, Dieng remains a work in progress. His shooting efficiency has been spotty, and he’s yet to carve out a consistent role on that end.
But the Wizards aren’t in win-now mode. They’re in talent-evaluation mode, and Dieng, still just 20 years old, fits the timeline.
Playing alongside slashers like Bub Carrington and Tre Johnson could open up easier looks and help him find his footing.
From the Thunder’s perspective, the appeal lies in the draft capital. Two second-rounders from a struggling Wizards team could carry real value. Branham adds some upside as a young guard who’s shown flashes on both ends, while Champagnie is likely a salary filler or potential cut candidate.
Option 2: Bet on a Defensive Upside with Taylor Hendricks
Proposed Trade:
- Grizzlies receive: Malaki Branham, Cam Whitmore, 2026 & 2027 Second-Round Picks
- Wizards receive: Taylor Hendricks
Perimeter defense has been a recurring problem for the Wizards, and it reared its head again against the Knicks. New York knocked down 17 threes at a scorching 46% clip, many of them wide-open looks created by dribble penetration and poor closeouts. Washington’s wing defenders simply couldn’t rotate fast enough or contest effectively.
Enter Taylor Hendricks - a former lottery pick who’s still trying to find his NBA footing but brings the kind of physical tools that could help patch some of those defensive holes. Hendricks came into the league with a reputation as a potential 3-and-D difference-maker.
He’s long, athletic, and has the versatility to guard multiple positions. That’s exactly the type of player Washington could use to shore up its perimeter defense.
There’s no guarantee Hendricks becomes a lockdown defender overnight. But he’s a worthwhile project for a team that can afford to be patient. If the coaching staff can help him translate his raw tools into consistent production, he could become a foundational piece.
For Memphis, this deal is about upside and asset accumulation. The second-round picks are the headline here, but Cam Whitmore - despite being sidelined with a venous condition - could be a long-term steal if he returns healthy. Branham adds depth and youth to the backcourt as well.
Option 3: Sell High on Marvin Bagley III
Proposed Trade Target: Toronto Raptors (no specific return listed)
Marvin Bagley III’s time in Washington has been defined by inconsistency and defensive struggles. Tuesday night was more of the same.
He logged just 16 minutes - mostly in garbage time - and even then, his defensive awareness around the rim left plenty to be desired. Rebounding has been a relative strength, but it hasn’t been enough to outweigh the lapses on the other end.
With the Raptors reportedly exploring a Jakob Poeltl trade and eyeing a move for a smaller big like Domantas Sabonis, there may be a window for Washington to offload Bagley to a team in need of size. It wouldn’t be a blockbuster deal, but it could open the door for the Wizards to pursue a more versatile frontcourt piece - potentially someone like Dieng, who fits better with the team’s defensive needs and future plans.
Bagley still has some value as a scorer and rebounder in the right system, but for Washington, the fit just hasn’t worked. Moving him now, while he still carries some name recognition and upside, could be a smart play.
Final Thoughts
The Wizards are in the thick of a rebuild, and losses like Tuesday night’s blowout in New York are part of the process. But that doesn’t mean they have to sit still. The trade deadline offers a real opportunity to recalibrate - to take some calculated risks on young talent, add defensive pieces, and clear the way for a more coherent roster going forward.
None of these moves are guaranteed to change the franchise’s trajectory overnight. But each one represents a step toward building a team that can eventually compete with the likes of the Knicks - not just survive them.