Austin Ainge promised that the Utah Jazz would not repeat their actions of this past season. Their moves since then have proved that he wasn't lying necessarily, but rather that they're going to tank naturally instead of benching their best players to ensure they get the worst record possible. It's a sound strategy, and if there's one team that's doing the same thing, it's the Washington Wizards.
Since the offseason began, the Wizards have dumped Jordan Poole, then dumped Kelly Olynyk who they acquired for Poole, waived Richaun Holmes, waived Blake Wesley (who they acquired for Olynyk), and now, they've waived Marcus Smart, who will join the Los Angeles Lakers.
BREAKING: Marcus Smart has agreed to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards and intends to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers, sources tell ESPN. A return to a grand stage for the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. pic.twitter.com/8g9Bxzz11E
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 19, 2025
They also took a flyer on Cam Whitmore, who adds a little pizzazz to their youth movement. The Wizards still have some veterans on their roster, like Khris Middleton and CJ McCollum (and who knows for how much longer), but they are also doing everything in their power to ensure that they will be bad next season.
What they've done sounds awfully familiar with what the Jazz have done. Utah has traded Collin Sexton and John Collins for next to nothing, has bought out Jordan Clarkson, and waived Johnny Juzang. They've done everything to ensure that their young players have no one to compete with for minutes, allowing them to develop.
The Wizards have the same goals, as they too have some young talent worth developing. It also comes as no surprise that the Wizards will be right there with the Jazz, as they were last season, and inadvertently gave the Jazz their best lottery odds possible in the regular season finale due to a buzzer-beater.
Both teams will likely struggle next season, but at least they won't make it so glaringly obvious that they're tanking, as they did last season, when certain players had to miss games because they were being "rested."
Who could join them?
While the Wizards and Jazz will be among the worst of the worst, this upcoming NBA Draft class is expected to be so good that it would be downright insane to believe they will be the only two teams trying to lose next season.
Among the teams that will likely be competing with them will be Brooklyn, New Orleans, Charlotte, and maybe Phoenix after the moves they made. There's always a surprise tanker every season because of circumstances. The Pelicans weren't trying to tank last season, but injuries forced their hand.
While the Jazz and Wizards will likely be the frontrunners for the NBA's worst record next season, they won't be alone. Others will tank too, whether it be organically or inorganically.