In a significant move on Thursday, the Washington Wizards secured guard Marcus Smart and a protected first-round draft pick for 2025 from the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a three-team trade involving the Sacramento Kings.

Additionally, the Wizards acquired guard Colby Jones and center Alex Len from the Kings. In exchange, Washington sent forward Marvin Bagley III, guard Johnny Davis, and a second-round draft pick for 2025 to Memphis. The Grizzlies, in turn, dispatched forward Jake LaRavia to Sacramento, while the Kings included a second-round pick for 2028 in the trade.

Smart, who has spent a decade in the league and was named the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, had a challenging stint in Memphis, participating in only 39 games over two seasons after being traded there in June 2023 through another complex trade. His acquisition provides the Wizards with essential cap flexibility, as Smart’s contracts are valued at $20.2 million this season and $21.6 million next season, based on Spotrac data.

Upon his return to action on Wednesday, Smart played merely 18 minutes, failing to make a single shot in six attempts. His season has been marred by injuries, including a right index finger injury that sidelined him for 22 games, a sore left shoulder, and several other minor ailments throughout the season, including a sprained right ankle.

For the Wizards, the key takeaway from this trade is the acquisition of a first-round pick, adding to another future first-round selection they received from Philadelphia earlier on the same day, projected for 2026.

In this shakeup, Washington parted ways with Davis and Bagley, both of whom were former lottery selections. While Davis has struggled to make an impact during his 2.5 seasons with the Wizards, Bagley is currently averaging a career-low of 8.7 minutes per game this season. Meanwhile, LaRavia’s performance in a backup role for Memphis has seen him average 7.3 points throughout the season.