The Washington Wizards could have signed Zaza Pachulia to a contract worth $20 million over two seasons.
The Wizards were non-committal to the deal and Pachulia ended up on a one-year, $3 million deal with the Golden State Warriors.
Pachulia spent last season with the Dallas Mavericks.
Washington instead signed Ian Mahinmi to a four-year, $64 million deal.
The Washington Wizards have no interest in trading away Marcin Gortat despite their signing of Ian Mahinmi.
Mahinmi signed a four-year, $64 million deal with the Wizards in the offseason.
Mahinmi has spent most of his career as a backup center.
The Wizards acquired Gortat in a preseason trade in 2013 with the Phoenix Suns. Gortat will be a free agent in 2019.
John Wall was asked for his opinion on Kevin Durant leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder to join the Golden State Warriors.
“Well, one thing I can say is it’s a lot different than what the old-school era was when Steve [Smith] and those guys played,” Wall said. “They stayed on one team and got it done, but that’s what the new NBA is now. Guys want to get rings and give themselves a better chance. He made the decision. At the end of the day, he made the decision that makes him happy. I think a lot of people don’t respect that, but you love the game, you play it to be happy, not to be sad and be frustrated. If he’s happy and comfortable in that situation, you have to respect the decision. LeBron [James] did the same thing to make him happy and figure things out and maybe he can figure out how to win championships and how to win on another level and then he can probably go back to wherever you want to go. I think it’s great for the game of basketball. It’s going to be exciting to see those guys meshed together. Come on, [the Warriors went] to two NBA championships without a guy like that. To replace and get that?”
Wall also was asked about the free agency moves made by the Washington Wizards.
“I think we added some great pieces,” Wall said. “I still think we need one more piece and hopefully we can get it, but if not, we just gotta go out there and do what we can do with the pieces we have.”
Wall reiterated he would like to see the Wizards sign another wing.
“I think in the Eastern Conference, man, you gotta have three or four 3-men,” Wall said. “To defend LeBron — I know you’re not going to be able to stop him — but just a lot of different bodies and just try to wear him down and, if you get in foul trouble, you’ve got multiple guys that can guard him. That’s what you really need to go against him and compete.”
The Washington Wizards will release Drew Gooden to create enough cap space to fit in their free agent signings.
Gooden was owed $2.9 million for the 16-17 season.
Gooden joined the Wizards in 2014 beginning with successive 10-day contracts.
Nene has agreed to sign a one-year, $2.9 million deal with the Houston Rockets.
Nene had been with the Washington Wizards since his trade from the Denver Nuggets in 2012.
Nene is no longer a starter quality big man but he's remained an effective rotation player.
The Washington Wizards have agreed upon a three-year, $16 million contract with Jason Smith.
Smith spent last season with the Orlando Magic.
Smith averaged 7.2 points and 2.9 rebounds in 15.5 minutes per game over 76 appearances in 15-16.
Smith has previously played for the 76ers, Pelicans and Knicks.
Tomas Satoransky has agreed to sign with the Washington Wizards on a three-year, $9 million contract.
Satoransky was a second round pick by the Wizards in the 2012 NBA Draft.
Satoransky is a 6'7 combo guard who has played for Barcelona since 2014.
Garrett Temple has agreed upon a three-year, $24 million deal with the Sacramento Kings.
Year 3 of Temple's deal is a player option.
Temple has played for the Washington Wizards since 2012 and is capable of playing either guard position.
The Washington Wizards have agreed to send a second round pick in 2021 to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Trey Burke.
Burke was the 9th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft out of Michigan but he's failed to establish himself as a starter quality point guard.
The Jazz traded for George Hill this offseason and they also have Dante Exum returning from his torn ACL.
Andrew Nicholson has agreed upon a four-year, $26 million contract with the Washington Wizards.
Nicholson's deal includes a player option for Year 4.
The Magic didn’t extend a qualifying offer to Nicholson, allowing him to bypass restricted free agency and become unrestricted. Rob Hennigan allowed Nicholson to gain his freedom in conjunction with his agent Mark Bartelstein due to their logjam of forwards.
Nicholson is a talented second unit scorer with his ability to play both inside and outside.
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