Top Five Free Agents for Wizards Last Roster Spot

In this story:
Training camps are almost here, and yet the Washington Wizards find themselves with one open roster spot. Now, the team does not have to sign someone. Instead, they can leave it open and eventually elevate a two-way player to a standard deal. There are still needs that need to be filled, like extra big man depth or a backup point guard. Here are the top five free agents for the Wizards' final roster spot.
Honorable Mention: Anthony Gill
As much as the fanbase loves Anthony Gill, talent-wise he is not in the top five. He is a good leader, but this spot should be used for depth in case of injuries. Khris Middleton already acts as the veteran leader, so it is hard to justify bringing Gill back unless the team thinks they cannot improve anywhere else.
Five: Draymond Green

This is a long shot and may not happen, but Draymond Green deserved to be mentioned for his defense. It seems like with LeBron James now in Philadelphia, Green will get more money from the Golden State Warriors to stay. If he wanted to take less money, though, and go to a young and promising team, Washington seems like the logical choice. He can come off the bench, provide some needed defense, and be a great mentor for some younger guys looking to bolster their defensive ability.
Four: Nick Richards

Although getting another center is not needed thanks to DeAndre Ayton, Nick Richards would not be a bad signing. In a backup role, he can still provide some valuable usage and rebounding. It is also a hedge bet, as maybe Ayton is traded during the season, or maybe a team offers a good package for Anthony Davis, causing the Wizards to now need another center. He is also cheap and would still keep the team under the luxury tax.
Three: Killian Hayes

Killian Hayes has some awful perceptions surrounding him. Still, surprisingly, he is one of the better remaining free agent guards out there. The upside with Hayes is that he is only 25 years old. The downside is that his career so far has been a major bust. There have been flashes, though, of a decent role player, and it may be worth giving him a shot to see if he can develop in practice or in short stints in preseason.
Two: Gary Payton II

It was a down year for Gary Payton II, as he shot under 30% from three for the first time since 2020. However, despite a down year, he is arguably the second-best guard that the Wizards could sign this offseason. If he does bounce back and becomes a 35% shooter from distance like he had been, then having Payton off the bench in a pinch could be crucial down the line. Could also be a good buy-low and sell-high situation at the deadline.
One: Russell Westbrook

No, Russell Westbrook is not the best free agent left, but he is the best player left the Wizards can acquire. We all know Westbrook is not the player he once was, especially as a starter. As the backup point guard, though, Westbrook is still one of the best in the game in that role. His three-point shooting has actually improved, and he can lead a second unit as the facilitator, something the team is missing at the moment. He can also be a great teacher for players like Bub Carrington, who need to improve their finishing abilities.
-49fab67e766e55bd238e7ce5f4d8cea4.png)
Bryson Akins is a writer for the Wizards on Sports Illustrated. Akins graduated from Emerson College in the spring of 2025, the same school Wizards General Manager Will Dawkins attended. Some of Akins' past work includes covering the Thunder on Last Word on Sports, along with his YouTube channel "Thunder Digest." Bryson's favorite memory watching the Wizards are the hard screens center Marcin Gortat would set.