Washington was among the teams pursuing DeRozan -- after first, as covered in Sunday's piece, making a run at re-signing Via @TheSteinLine on X

What happened: Washington attempted to re-sign Russell Westbrook and pursued DeMar DeRozan before pivoting to acquire Tre Mann. The Wizards ultimately joined the multi-team trade construction centered around Peyton Watson to secure the guard.

Why it matters: The sequence illustrates the front office's initial desire for veteran playmaking before pivoting to a developmental asset. Mann provides a backcourt alternative for the upcoming season following Westbrook's decision to step away from basketball.

What to watch: Washington prepares to integrate Mann into the rotation ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Sources