The Wizards draft Will Riley in the 2025 NBA Draft and send him back to the Wizards. The Utah Jazz, after drafting Ace Bailey 5th overall, and getting Walter Clayton Jr. via trade from the Washington Wizards, made another move 21st overall. Washington took Tre Johnson 6th overall, as they combined him with Riley for their draft haul. The 6’8″ 19-year-old Riley had a standout season at Illinois.
Utah Jazz Draft Will Riley 21st Overall, Traded to Wizards
Riley had a 43.2 field goal percentage and 72.4 free throw percentage. The Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year as a freshman small forward can potentially play some guard-like Tre Johnson, along with veteran CJ McCollum, or forward to replace/ compete with Bilal Coulibaly and Khris Middleton.
The Washington Wizards could use a versatile player like Riley, as the big man from Canada will need some time to develop to round out his skill set. However, he can step in defensively with his high IQ on the court. Riley was mostly a bench player, but still made an impact when he got the minutes.
While Johnson is a way better shooting prospect, Riley is more of a raw but high-potential player that they can develop in Washington. The Wizards made use of their two first-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, as they form an interesting tandem that could pay off in the future.
