The Washington Wizards traded Jordan McRae to the Denver Nuggets for Shabazz Napier, the team announced.
McRae is having a career season, averaging 12.8 points while shooting 37.7% from deep in mostly a reserve role. The journeyman bounced around the league before joining the Wizards organization in 2018 on a two-way deal.
"Jordan was a great success story for our developmental program, with his hard work and dedication resulting in him earning a full-time spot with our team," Wizards GM Tommy Sheppard said. "We're proud to have helped him get to this point and wish him the best as he continues his career."
Napier never played a game for the Nuggets after being acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this week. The 28-year-old is averaging career highs in points (9.6 per game) and assists (5.2) across 36 appearances this season.
"Shabazz is an experienced, hard-nosed guard who is in the midst of a career year," said Sheppard. "His style of play will fit in with our pace-and-space system and will give us even more speed and athleticism in the backcourt."
Like McRae, Napier hasn't quite found a home in the NBA and will join his sixth NBA team in as many seasons after winning a pair of national championships at UConn.
With the trade of starting point guard Isaiah Thomas, Napier should have an opportunity to compete for a place in the Wizards' first five.
Both McRae and Napier are on expiring deals. Denver gains McRae's Bird Rights and thus can go over the salary cap to re-sign him.
