The Washington Wizards are very close to closing out a multiyear deal with free agent shooting guard Larry Hughes, Washington Post writer Steve Wyche is reporting.  Hughes, the ex-Sixer and Warrior, could sign a six year contract with the team as early as Thursday and would have a starting salary of $4.5 million.

The Wizards have been trying to land a big point guard to team with Tyronn Lue, Chris Whitney and rookie Juan Dixon.  Hughes is expected to start along side Richard Hamilton next season.

'With Hughes, the Wizards might trade Lue or Whitney, whose contracts expire or could be terminated at the end of the season. Veteran Hubert Davis also could be dealt, although the Wizards don't appear eager to move one of the most accurate three-point shooters in the league,' writes Wyche.

Hughes, along with Chauncey Billups (signed with Detroit) and Deavan George, was at the top of the Wizards wish list.

Updated: Steve Wyche of the Washington Post is now reporting that the deal is now believed to be a three year contract with a starting salary of $4.5 million, not the six year deal that was originally reported.

Michael Jordan, who last season played small forward for the Wizards, maintains that he hopes to play out his contract backing up Richard Hamilton but has left open the possibility of retirement based on how his body responds to offseason training.

With only rookie Jared Jeffries and second year forward Bobby Simmons the only small forwards under contract, neither of which may be suited to starting, Wyche believes there is a chance the Wizards may revisit trade discussions with Orlando and Denver for fowards Mike Miller and James Posey respectively.  The team owns the bird rights to both Popeye Jones and small forward Tyrone Nesby, meaning that despite the team using their whole mid-level exception on Hughes they still have the ability to exceed the cap to sign both players should they wish.