Washington's Summer Moves: What Grade Do We Give the Wizards Offseason?

Entering his second full offseason at the helm, Will Dawkins continued to steer the Washington Wizards through the early stages of a patient, methodical rebuild. The 2025 summer was less about headline-grabbing signings and more about staying the course — collecting future draft picks, investing in high-upside prospects, and clearing the runway for the team's young core to grow. Through the draft, Dawkins added more length and versatility, while also acquiring veterans on flexible contracts to mentor the roster without clogging its future. Rather than chase quick wins, the front office stayed focused on asset accumulation and long-term development, signaling that meaningful progress will be measured in seasons, not weeks. Still, for all the philosophical clarity, the results of these moves remain largely speculative — which makes grading the offseason both necessary and nuanced.

A few signings have headlined Washington's offseason: the addition of Tre Johnson through this year's draft and the Jordan Poole trade that led them to acquire CJ McCollum. Johnson, a highly touted scoring guard with star potential, brings much-needed shot creation and perimeter versatility to a young roster still searching for its offensive identity. McCollum, on the other hand, offers veteran leadership and stability — a proven guard who can serve as both a mentor and a temporary offensive engine while the younger pieces develop. While neither move instantly transforms the Wizards into a playoff contender, they reflect a balanced approach: investing in the future while surrounding the youth with experienced voices. The question now is whether this blend of development and stability can translate into meaningful growth on the court.

So how should we grade these moves? The transition from Jordan Poole to CJ McCollum is undoubtedly an intriguing one. Trading away a young player like Poole — who, despite his inconsistencies, brought championship experience and fit the timeline of the current roster — for a veteran like McCollum signals a shift in tone. McCollum brings a different kind of presence, both on and off the court, prioritizing professionalism, leadership, and stability over flash and flair. While Poole's charisma and scoring upside will be missed, McCollum's maturity could provide structure for a young, developing team. Additionally, the addition of Tre Johnson through the draft looks like a significant win. Washington badly needed a potential franchise cornerstone — someone with the scoring instincts and confidence to grow into a go-to option.

There's still plenty of time to evaluate how these moves ultimately pan out, but for now, the Wizards deserve a solid B+ for their offseason. The upside is clearly there, especially with Johnson's potential and the steadying presence of McCollum. Still, questions remain about long-term fit and whether the team sacrificed too much future upside in dealing with Poole. The only real knock is that McCollum, while a respected veteran, doesn't bring the same championship résumé or age profile as Poole. Still, if these moves help accelerate the growth of Washington's young core, the front office may be proven right. Only time will tell whether that B+ holds — or needs to be revised up or down.