The Washington Wizards have officially ruled out forward Cam Whitmore for the remainder of the regular season as he continues to recover from a blood clot that initially sidelined him indefinitely. It’s a tough blow for a young player who was starting to carve out a role, and for a Wizards team that’s more focused on development than wins right now, it opens the door for some roster creativity.
In response, Washington has applied for a Disabled Player Exception (DPE), which would allow them to bring in another player to fill Whitmore’s roster spot. But don’t expect the Wizards to chase a veteran looking to contribute to a playoff run. That’s not the lane they’re in this season.
Instead, the DPE gives Washington a chance to take a flyer on a high-upside prospect-someone who may not be fully polished yet, but could fit into the long-term vision of a team hoping to build around Trae Young and a top-8 pick in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft. It’s less about plugging a hole and more about auditioning potential pieces for the future.
Here are three names that make sense if the Wizards are granted the exception:
Talen Horton-Tucker - Guard
Talen Horton-Tucker is currently without a team, but that doesn’t mean he’s out of the league’s orbit. Once seen as a rising piece with the Lakers, Horton-Tucker showed flashes of being a valuable rotation player-especially during his early years in Los Angeles. At 6-foot-4 with a strong frame and a knack for getting into the paint, he’s averaged 9.2 points per game on 42.7% shooting in his career.
Still just 25 years old, Horton-Tucker has the kind of offensive upside that makes him worth a look. He’s not a perfect fit for every team, but for a rebuilding group like Washington, the risk is minimal and the reward could be a versatile bench scorer who still has room to grow. In the right system, with the right opportunity, there’s a chance he could re-establish himself as a long-term contributor.
Bol Bol - Forward/Center
Bol Bol remains one of the NBA’s most intriguing enigmas. At 7 feet tall with guard-like skills, he’s the type of player who turns heads in warmups and flashes tantalizing potential in short bursts.
The issue has always been consistency-both in terms of health and production. But when you’re a team like the Wizards, that’s exactly the kind of swing you should be taking.
The former Oregon standout was once projected as a first-round pick before a foot injury caused him to fall to the second round in 2019. Since then, he’s bounced around the league, showing glimpses of his unique two-way skillset. He can handle the ball, shoot from outside, and block shots-traits that, if harnessed properly, could make him a matchup nightmare.
For Washington, Bol Bol represents a low-risk, high-reward flyer. If he hits, you’ve got a unicorn-type player under team control. If not, you gave a young talent a shot without sacrificing long-term flexibility.
Kai Jones - Forward
Kai Jones is a name that still carries some intrigue despite a rocky start to his NBA career. A first-round pick in 2021, Jones came into the league as a raw but athletic big with the kind of physical tools that make scouts salivate. But off-court issues and inconsistent play led to a short stint with the Charlotte Hornets, followed by brief looks from the Clippers and Mavericks.
Even with that baggage, it’s clear teams haven’t given up on Jones’ potential. At 6-foot-11 with elite mobility and bounce, he’s the type of player who could benefit from a development-first environment.
Washington can offer that. They’ve got the minutes, the patience, and the infrastructure to give Jones a clean slate.
If he’s ready to put in the work and embrace a developmental role, the Wizards could be the perfect landing spot for a player still trying to find his NBA footing.
With Whitmore sidelined, the Wizards have an opportunity to get creative-and that’s exactly what this season should be about. They’re not chasing wins right now.
They’re chasing potential. And if the DPE is granted, Washington could use it to take a calculated swing on one of these young players who still have something to prove.
Sometimes, the best moves in a rebuild aren’t the ones that make headlines-they’re the ones that give a young player a second (or third) chance to show they belong.