Breaking; NBA Trade Shake-Up: Thunder Send Rookie Champion Dillon Jones to Wizards for
The NBA community is abuzz after a Saturday night trade between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Washington Wizards involving two promising young guards. The Washington Wizards officially announced they have acquired Dillon Jones and a 2029 second-round draft pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Colby Jones.
Dillon Jones, selected 26th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, comes off an impressive college season at Weber State, where he averaged 20.8 points per game. His brief stint with the Thunder saw him earn the unique distinction of becoming an NBA champion just six days before being traded, making this move especially emotional for fans and analysts alike.
NBA insider Keith Smith provided insights on the salary cap implications of the deal. The trade moves the Thunder $9.5 million below the luxury tax threshold and opens up one roster spot, offering the team added flexibility heading into the next phase of the offseason. Meanwhile, the Wizards are now $10.2 million under the luxury tax, but with 17 players on standard contracts, they are two over the limit, indicating further moves are likely imminent.
Thunder beat writer Clemente Almanza humorously commented, “Well Dillon Jones Day just got a lot more awkward,” referring to the excitement around Jones’ recent draft and championship experience being cut short by a sudden relocation.
A fan account, @ThunderFilmRoom, reflected on the human aspect of the trade:
> “In all seriousness, getting traded after your rookie year & 6 days after you win an NBA championship isn’t easy on a human level. Rooting for Dillon Jones’ success in Washington – and he’s forever an NBA Champion. Nobody can take that away from him!”
As the Wizards continue to reshape their roster and the Thunder free up space for future flexibility, the trade serves as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the NBA. Dillon Jones now heads to Washington with the rare experience of beginning his professional career as a champion, while Colby Jones prepares to join a rising Thunder squad with championship aspirations of its own.
