The Oklahoma City Thunder traded forward Dillon Jones and a 2029 second-round draft pick to the Washington Wizards on Saturday night, according to an announcement by the Wizards. In return, Oklahoma City received Colby Jones, who is expected to be waived shortly to open a roster spot, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Details and Financial Impact of the Trade
ESPN analyst Bobby Marks shared additional insights into the trade, noting that as a result, the Thunder reduced their luxury tax burden by $9.5 million, based on figures from Spotrac’s Keith Smith. Alongside Dillon Jones, Washington will also acquire a first-round pick in the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft as part of the transaction.
Player Performances and Future Prospects
Dillon Jones appeared in 54 games during his rookie season with Oklahoma City, which saw the Thunder achieve a league-best 68 wins and ultimately secure the NBA championship. Despite limited playing time averaging 10.2 minutes per game, Jones contributed 2.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists, shooting 50 percent on two-point attempts and 25.4 percent from beyond the arc.
In the G League with the Oklahoma City Blue, Jones played 18 games and posted averages of 13.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per contest, shooting 43.8 percent from the field, 27.5 percent on threes, and 64.3 percent from the free-throw line. The Wizards are anticipated to offer him a chance to compete for a larger role and more consistent minutes on their roster.
Colby Jones, acquired by Oklahoma City, averaged 4.0 points and 2.2 rebounds across 39 games combined with the Wizards and Sacramento Kings during the 2024-25 NBA season, making 45.7 percent of his field-goal attempts.
Significance and Outlook for Both Teams
This trade highlights the Thunder’s strategy to manage their salary cap while adding flexibility to their roster. For Washington, bringing in Dillon Jones along with valuable draft picks signals an investment in developing young talent as they look to strengthen their lineup. Following the transaction, Colby Jones’ waiver will clear space for the Thunder’s roster adjustments. Both teams will closely monitor how these changes influence their depth and performance moving forward in the NBA season.