WASHINGTON — Washington Wizards decision-makers saw a chance Wednesday night to add a developmental prospect who excels on defense.The Wizards acquired the draft rights to University of Tennessee big man Felix Okpara, the 46th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, by sending the 51st and 60th picks to the Orlando Magic.Okpara, an outstanding athlete with a 9-foot-4 standing reach, capped his senior year by earning a spot on the 2025-26 Southeastern Conference All-Defensive team.“He’s unique in that he can switch, but he also protects the rim and blocks shots and gets steals, and (he) does it with a low foul rate for someone that protects the rim at that level,” Wizards general manager Will Dawkins said.Okpara is relatively raw on offense. He grew up in Nigeria and focused primarily on soccer when he was younger. He now uses the footwork he developed in soccer to adeptly defend perimeter players when necessary. He spent his first two years of college at Ohio State before transferring to Tennessee.
Players drafted in the latter stages of the second round often sign two-way contracts, splitting time between the NBA and the G League. For Okpara, signing a two-way deal seems like a potential short-term outcome.“I think we’ll probably have to have that conversation, get him in town and kind of work with his agent on that,” Dawkins said. “(We’ll) get him into summer league and get a feel for that. So, as we go into free agency, we’ll probably have a better answer for that.”Washington’s front office entered the offseason intent on adding big-man depth — via free agency or a trade — to its standard roster big-man group of Alex Sarr, Anthony Davis and Tristan Vukčević.Adding Okpara will not change that goal, Dawkins said.“That’s still a position that we’re going to try to address in free agency,” Dawkins said. “But we like the versatility that our big group has right now: the floor spacing with Tristan, the rim protection with Felix, with his energy and youth. So, we’ll probably want to add something else on top of Alex and Anthony Davis.”Felix Okpara blocked 1.5 shots per game during his senior season at Tennessee. (Steve Roberts / Imagn Images)The Wizards ended the 2025-26 season 29th in the NBA in defensive-rebounding percentage.Okpara averaged 8.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks during his senior season, making 59.7 percent of his attempts from the field.Amber Nichols, the Wizards’ director of amateur evaluation, described Okpara on offense as “a lob threat, a rim runner, a play finisher.”Okpara measured 6 feet 10 without shoes at the NBA Draft Combine.His intangibles impressed the Wizards, too.He plays with an active motor, and Nichols said his teammates often described him as their favorite teammate.“He was always supportive,” Nichols said. “He was always vocal. He always knew where everyone was supposed to be on the floor and (was) willing to communicate. They enjoyed his presence when they weren’t at practice or playing games. Those types of qualities stand out to us as someone that’s a connector.”Jun 25, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
