For nearly a decade, one team has held an unexpected constant presence in the NBA Finals. It`s not the Golden State Warriors, but the Washington Wizards.
As noted by esquiresports, Washington—a franchise that hasn`t lifted the championship trophy since 1978—has remarkably managed to have at least one former player on every NBA title-winning team over the past eight seasons.
This unusual pattern appears set to continue into 2025. In the current postseason, a notable 18 former Wizards players are distributed across 11 of the 16 competing teams, contributing in various roles from starters to bench players.
Indeed, the NBA playoff games played on Friday showcased this trend, with former Wizards participating in all three matchups.
The action began with the Orlando Magic hosting the Boston Celtics. Both teams have former Wizards connections. Orlando features veteran Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and, despite being sidelined, Moritz Wagner supporting from the bench. Boston relies on Kristaps Porzingis to anchor their defense in the paint.
Later, in Milwaukee, Bobby Portis, Ryan Rollins, and Kyle Kuzma are part of the Bucks` playoff push against the Indiana Pacers, whose roster includes Thomas Bryant and Quenton Jackson.
Closing out the night, Rui Hachimura, Jordan Goodwin, Markieff Morris, and Alex Len are active for the Los Angeles Lakers in their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Across the rest of the Western Conference bracket, Russell Westbrook brings his experience to the Denver Nuggets, Gary Payton II is with the Golden State Warriors, and Jeff Green plays for the Houston Rockets. Patrick Baldwin Jr. is on the LA Clippers, while the Memphis Grizzlies feature a pair of ex-Wizards in Jay Huff and Marvin Bagley III.
In the Eastern Conference, Delon Wright contributes for the New York Knicks.
Curiously, many paths out of the nation`s capital have seemingly led players to championship rosters. Here`s a look at how former Wizards players reached the pinnacle of the NBA in recent years:
2024 Boston Celtics
Kristaps Porzingis
How he got to Washington: His arrival in Washington was part of a February 2022 trade where the Mavericks sent him and a second-round pick in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans.
How he got to Boston: Porzingis joined the Celtics via a three-team trade involving Boston, Washington, and Memphis in June 2023.
2023 Denver Nuggets
Jeff Green, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Ish Smith, Thomas Bryant
How they got to Washington: Jeff Green signed a one-year deal in 2018. Thomas Bryant was picked up off waivers from the Lakers. Ish Smith signed a two-year contract in 2019, joining his 11th team. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope arrived in the 2021-22 season as part of the major trade involving Russell Westbrook.
How they got to Denver: Jeff Green joined the Nuggets in August 2021 on a two-year contract, adding veteran leadership. Caldwell-Pope and Smith arrived via a 2022 trade that sent Monte Morris and Will Barton to the Wizards, bolstering Denver`s guards. Thomas Bryant was traded to Denver by the Lakers in February 2023, featuring in 18 regular-season games and one playoff appearance for the team.
2022 Golden State Warriors
Gary Payton II, Otto Porter Jr., Chris Chiozza
How they got to Washington: Gary Payton II signed a 10-day contract in January 2019 and later re-signed. Otto Porter Jr. was the third overall pick in the 2013 draft out of Georgetown. Chris Chiozza, undrafted in 2018, began with the Wizards` G League team and signed a two-way contract in October 2019.
How they got to Golden State: Payton was drafted by the Raptors 905 in the 2021 G League draft, where he earned Defensive Player of the Year. He signed a 10-day contract with the Warriors in April 2021 and later re-signed in October after being initially waived. Golden State signed Otto Porter Jr. as a free agent in August 2021. Chiozza also signed a two-way deal with the team that same month.
2021 Milwaukee Bucks
Bobby Portis
How he got to Washington: In 2019, the Wizards acquired Portis and Jabari Parker from the Bulls, along with a protected 2023 second-round pick, in exchange for Otto Porter Jr.
How he got to Milwaukee: Portis became a free agent when the Knicks declined his team option. In November 2020, he agreed to a two-year deal with the Bucks.
2020 Los Angeles Lakers
JaVale McGee, Dwight Howard, Markieff Morris
How they got to Washington: JaVale McGee was the 18th overall selection by the Wizards in the 2008 NBA draft. Markieff Morris was traded to Washington by the Suns in 2016. Dwight Howard signed a two-year free agent deal with the Wizards in July 2018 after a contract buyout with the Nets.
How they got to Los Angeles: After winning two titles with the Warriors, McGee signed a one-year veteran minimum deal with the Lakers in July 2018, later receiving a two-year extension. Howard returned to Los Angeles for a second time in August 2019, signing a veteran`s minimum contract. Morris signed with Los Angeles in February 2020 after clearing waivers.
2019 Toronto Raptors
Jodie Meeks
How he got to Washington: Meeks signed a two-year free agent deal with the Wizards in July 2017.
How he got to Toronto: Meeks agreed to a 10-day contract with the Raptors in February 2019 and was signed for the rest of the season the following month.
2017-2018 Golden State Warriors
JaVale McGee, Shaun Livingston
How they got to Washington: JaVale McGee was drafted 18th overall by the Wizards in 2008. Shaun Livingston signed a 10-day contract in February 2010, later signing for the season, and had a brief second stint in late 2012 before being waived.
How they got to Golden State: Shaun Livingston, the 4th pick in the 2004 draft whose career was altered by a severe injury, signed with Golden State as a free agent in July 2014 after playing a career-high 76 games with the Cavaliers. He appeared in five consecutive NBA Finals for the Warriors before retiring. JaVale McGee was invited to Golden State`s training camp in July 2016 and signed with the team in September 2016.