The Washington Wizards have traded forward Montrezl Harrell to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for center Vernon Carey, Jr. and guard Ish Smith.
The Wizards are also reportedly receiving a second-round pick in the deal.
It's a return home for Harrell, a Tarboro, North Carolina native. Harrell proved to be a key contributor in his first season for the Wizards, averaging 14.1 points, 6.7 boards and 24.3 minutes per game.
Harrell first arrived in D.C. last August as part of the massive package deal that sent Russell Westbrook to the Lakers. Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were also a part of the return for the Wizards in that deal.
Averaging just 2.0 points and 1.3 rebounds, Carey has played in only four games for the Hornets this season. He's spent the majority of his time during his first two NBA seasons on Charlotte's G-League affiliate in Greensboro, N.C. since being selected as a second-round pick (32nd overall) in 2020.
This marks Smith's second stint with the Wizards after previously playing for two seasons in the nation's capital (2019-20, 2020-21). He signed a two-year deal with the Hornets in free agency last August, although only this season is guaranteed. He is just a guy who should plug in decently enough at point guard with the Wizards dealing Aaron Holiday to Phoenix.
Wizards GM Tommy Sheppard also swung a huge deadline deal with the Dallas Mavericks, acquiring Kristaps Porzingis and a draft pick in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans (details here).