- The Washington Times - Thursday, March 25, 2021

The Washington Wizards made a trade with the Chicago Bulls hours ahead of the NBA trade deadline Thursday, sending guard Troy Brown and center Moritz Wagner in exchange for forward Chandler Hutchinson and center Daniel Gafford. 

The deal centers around a swap of players who found themselves on the fringe of both franchises. Brown, the 15th overall pick in 2018, fell out of the Wizards’ rotation this season and Wagner’s role was inconsistent — going from benchwarmer to starter to benchwarmer again.

In Chicago, Hutchinson, the 22nd overall pick in 2018, has appeared in only seven games this season — averaging 1.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. Gafford received significantly more playing time, used primarily as Chicago’s backup center. The 22-year-old has averaged 4.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in 12.4 minutes per game. 

Entering Thursday’s game against the Knicks, the Wizards sit four games back of the last spot for the NBA’s play-in tournament. They’re 15-27 on the year and have slumped badly since the All-Star break.

Coincidentally, the Bulls (19-24) currently hold the last spot for the play-in tournament. But Chicago made a big push to climb up the standings Thursday — trading for two-time All-Star center Nikola  Vucevic in a four-player deal with the Orlando Magic. 

ESPN first reported the deal.

• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.

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