AUGUST 29: The Hornets have officially re-signed Washington, per NBA.com’s transaction log.
AUGUST 26: Restricted free agent forward P.J. Washington has agreed on a new three-year, $48MM deal to stay with the Hornets, LIFT Sports Management agent Kevin Bradbury and Washington Sports Group’s Paul Washington Sr. tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
Washington was the only standard unsigned restricted free agent this summer and one of the most prominent available names in all of free agency, ranking 11th on our top-50 list.
There was some concern earlier in the offseason that Washington and the Hornets wouldn’t be able to come to terms on an agreement. Forward Miles Bridges and Charlotte didn’t agree on a long-term deal and he ended up signing his qualifying offer, putting himself on track for unrestricted free agency next year. Washington was believed to have been considering a similar route.
Other teams, such as the Cavaliers, were also monitoring the Washington situation. Now, the Hornets will bring back the 25-year-old on a three-year deal that pays $16MM annually.
Washington is an integral part of the Hornets’ promising young core that includes LaMelo Ball, 2023 No. 2 overall pick Brandon Miller, Mark Williams and more. The Kentucky product averaged a career-high 15.7 points per game last season. The Hornets drafted Washington with the No. 12 overall pick in 2019 and he started 73 games for Charlotte last year.
The Washington signing will give the Hornets a packed roster. He’ll be the 13th Charlotte player on a guaranteed deal, with JT Thor, Kobi Simmons and Frank Ntilikina all signed to non-guaranteed or partially guaranteed contracts.
James Nnaji, the No. 31 overall pick in 2023, hasn’t officially signed (though he may be stashed). The Hornets also have two players on two-way deals (Leaky Black and Amari Bailey), and Angelo Allegri, Tre Scott, Nathan Mensah and R.J. Hunter are all reportedly joining the Hornets on training camp deals. So while Charlotte has some flexibility, there are more moves to come from the Queen City.
Hornets got some talent. If they can stay healthy and develop a defense, they could be a pretty good team. Ideally they can trade Hayward for a defensive player. Not sure if there is a deal there though
Washington may be a sexier chip to flip tho
Caris LeVert for PJ Washington might make a lot of sense with their salary being identical. Miller is likely to cut Washington’s minutes if both stay in Charlotte. I would watch this as it could be a deadline deal. That said they’ll have to wait a few months to move him. If Miller has a strong year Washington could be on the move.
Hornets stood their ground, got PJ on a reasonable deal. Gives them flexibility if Bridges walks or they have to do a S&T. They have a few nice pieces but..
Honestly the only way that the Hornets become relevant is other players aging out of the league and Melo becoming a Top-10 player during his extension and Miller ends up being a Top-20 player.
They should make a move with Haywards salary, but no move makes them a Top East team. Would I take a swing at KAT? Yes. Does it vault them into contention? No, 5-8th seed. Could they get some breaks and make a deep playoff run in the next 5 years with a core of KAT, Melo, Miller? Possibly. Is that worth 4 FRPs?
Just wait 12 months and Kat will be a Avail for 2 2nds once the ext kicks in
PJ is a good 2 way player. I don’t really like committing to one position 4’s unless they’re clear 30 mpg rotation players. I’m not sure he clears that bar. The league is awash in bigs. At least the AAV is team friendly, as is the 3 years (vs 4 years). Aside from his role, I think almost any team would like to have this guy.
Bridges, Miller, Hayward and Washington looks like a traffic jam up front. I wouldn’t be surprised to see one of these 4 on the move. Hayward is good when he is healthy but it’s hard to count on him. but does everything but 4 guys splitting 96 minutes a night could be problematic. Miller might be a star from the get go but he also could be an awkward rookie adjusting to the NBA. One has to hope that Bridges matured and his troubles are behind him. The odds are are that 1 of the 4 will become a problem child and have to be moved between September and February. On losing teams this type of thing happens.