Wizards continue to scan market, linked to Pelicans’ Zion Williamson

The Wizards have made one thing clear: They are no longer afraid of risk.

Last summer it was Cam Whitmore. Earlier this month it was Trae Young. Different profiles, same idea. Washington is willing to bet on elite talent that has stalled elsewhere, believing a new environment can change the outcome.

League sources tell The Athletic’s Josh Robbins that approach is not finished.

Executives around the NBA expect the Wizards to keep scanning the market for distressed stars ahead of the trade deadline, players with upside that still outweighs the risk. One name that keeps surfacing is Zion Williamson.

The Pelicans have publicly signaled that Williamson is not available. Around the league, that message is being met with skepticism. Williamson’s talent is unquestioned. His availability has never been reliable. That combination tends to reopen conversations, whether teams admit it or not.

The belief, however, is that Washington would not mortgage its future for him. League sources say the Wizards are unlikely to part with their own premium first-round picks, but a lesser 2026 first, most notably Oklahoma City’s, could be the type of asset they’d consider putting on the table.

Robbins notes the Williamson idea remains a long shot, rooted more in league chatter than active negotiations. Still, the fact that his name keeps coming up is telling.

Another name mentioned in similar circles is Jonathan Kuminga, though recent reporting suggests Washington has not been among the most aggressive teams pursuing him.