The Washington Wizards have had a relatively uneventful offseason so far. That’s why when they declined the team option on veteran sharpshooter Landry Shamet, releasing him to free agency, it was news for the team. Here’s what the move means for Shamet’s career and the Wizards.
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Wizards Decline Team Option on Veteran Sharpshooter
Shamet’s Career
It’s clear that Shamet isn’t really on the Wizards timeline. A 3-and-D player, Shamet is a threat from behind the arc off the bench. He adds value to any second unit, even when not playing a ton of minutes. However, Shamet is 26 years old. He’s about to enter the prime of his career, and it should be spent with a playoff contender who can properly utilize him. Every team he’s played for has been a serious playoff contender.
Shamet started his career with the Joel Embiid/Ben Simmons/Jimmy Butler 76ers, only to be traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. He spent a few seasons there, playing alongside Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, before spending a season with the Kevin Durant/Kyrie Irving/James Harden Brooklyn Nets. Then, he played for the Phoenix Suns with Chris Paul and Devin Booker. All of these teams were deep playoff threats, and the year Shamet spent with the Wizards was the only year of his career that he wasn’t on a playoff team. Shamet has spent six seasons in the NBA, but it feels like he’s been around for much longer.
The Wizards Offseason
The Wizards have had a relatively uneventful offseason and free agency. The two big things that the franchise has done to continue their rebuild were in the 2024 NBA Draft and the signing of Jonas Valanciunas. During the draft, the Wizards traded to acquire a second lottery pick (Carlton Carrington) after drafting Alex Sarr with the second overall pick. They also drafted Kyshawn George with a late first-round pick, totaling three first-round rookies to help with the team’s rebuild. Valanciunas, as I wrote about earlier, was brought in to act as a mentor to the young players (especially Sarr).
Shamet’s joining the free agency market doesn’t signify any real turn or shift for the Wizards. However, the move makes sense for the team. Aside from not fitting the team’s timeline, Shamet is a shooting guard. The Wizards drafted Carrington, who needs minutes at the shooting guard spot to develop. Overall, the turn to youth fits the Wizards rebuild timeline, and we’ll have to wait and see where Shamet ends up.
