The Washington Wizards acquired two NBA All-Stars this past season, pulling off trades for Trae Young and Anthony Davis to provide high-end veterans around their young core. Ahead of a critical 2026-27 NBA season for the franchise, the team is exploring multiple avenues to add a third veteran All-Star to the rotation.
NBA reporter Marc Stein disclosed on his latest The Stein Line that the Wizards offered future Hall of Fame point guard Russell Westbrook a two-year contract to join the team. Instead of suiting up for a 19th NBA season, the 37-year-old point guard decided to retire.
Signing with Washington would’ve extended Westbrook’s iconic career and given him a chance to play for an Eastern Conference contender next season while making several million dollars. However, he is believed to have declined that opportunity because the team seemingly wanted him to play the role of a seldom-used third point guard who would see the court sparingly and primarily be around to mentor young players.
With Westbrook off the board and options dwindling in NBA free agency, it appears Washington has already found the next veteran it will pivot to as a target. Stein wrote that the Wizards are “showing some interest” in DeMar DeRozan, Westbrook’s former teammate with the Sacramento Kings.
DeRozan, who turned 37 earlier this month, would have a clearer path to minutes in the Wizards’ rotation than Westbrook could have. Washington could run him as its top shooting guard off the bench, playing behind Kyshawn George, adding another midrange scoring threat to the rotation.
However, the Wizards are facing competition for the All-Star swingman from the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets. It’s also possible that the Southern California native may eventually find his way back home to Los Angeles. The Cleveland Cavaliers are another team to monitor.
Related: Cavaliers Eyeing Second Trade to Set Up Bigger Move
As of now, a DeRozan signing isn’t imminent and it seems far likelier that he would choose to sign with Denver or Miami over Washington. However, if the Wizards are willing to put more money on the table and perhaps a bigger role, perhaps they’ll have a better shot at landing him.