The Washington Wizards signed a couple of bigs earlier today to bring their training camp roster, according to The Athletic’s Josh Robbins. Even though the Wizards have an open two-way spot, Robbins believes today’s signings of John Butler Jr. and Taylor Funk are more designed to fill the Wiz’s G-League Capital City Go-Go roster.
The Wizards continue to make moves designed to ultimately fill out what will be their Go-Go roster, announcing they have signed center John Butler Jr. and forward Taylor Funk to Exhibit 10 contracts.
Washington Wizards Signing A Couple Of Bigs To Training Camp, Will They Fill The Wiz’s Open Roster Spot?
Washington had the open roster spots as the Wizards released Kira Lewis Jr. and Leaky Black on Saturday. Lewis and Black were both on Exhibit 10 deals, so they will likely begin the season with the Go-Go.
Lewis, a 2020 first-round selection of New Orleans, has appeared in 113 NBA games over four seasons. However, the 22-year-old point guard hasn’t been able to carve out a full-time role with any club. He saw four minutes in one preseason game with the Wizards this year.
Black had signed a two-year, 2-way deal with Charlotte. But the 25-year-old wing was released in August after appearing in 26 games for the Hornets, including three starts, as he struggled mightily during the Summer League. He did not appear in a preseason game for the Wizards.
Do Butler and Funk Have a Chance to Make Club?
Butler is an athletic 7-footer who began on a two-way contract with Washington last season but was released in December. He is an outstanding shot blocker and can space the floor with his shooting.
Butler, who appeared in 19 games for Portland during the 2022-23 season, spent the entire season with the Go-Go. He struggled with the Go-Go and during the Las Vegas Summer League. So, don’t expect Butler to earn a two-way deal. The Wiz already have six players listed as power forwards or centers already under contract, as well as others capable of playing the four.
Funk is a 6-9 forward known for his shooting ability and went undrafted out of Utah State in 2023. He spent all of last season in the G-League with Maine and Capital City, and while he struggled shooting the ball, the 26-year-old did make over 100 treys while shooting it at a 35% clip. While Funk played well for the Wizards during the summer, he should also be ticketed to Capital City as an affiliate player.
So, Who Could Earn The Wizards’ Last 2-Way Spot?
Washington’s brass has a couple of upcoming decisions to make. The Wizards have 16 players on standard contracts with salaries totaling a little more than $168 million, although Jared Butler is on a non-guaranteed deal. While I will look deeper at who will win the Wizards’ final standard spot later, here is a look at who can win the Wiz’s last 2-way spot.
As of today, Justin Champaigne and 2023 second-round pick Tristan Vukevic are the players on a two-way deal. Besides Funk and Butler, Erik Stevenson is also on an Exhibit 10 deal.
Stevenson, signed on October 10, is a potential 3-D prospect. He spent most of last season in the G-League with Texas and Austin. Since Capital City traded for his G-League rights in September, he will unlikely be considered for a two-way spot.
If the Wizards don’t sign any of the three players on an Exhibit 10 deal, they have a couple of options. They could re-sign Leaky Black to a two-way contract, as he has fewer than three years of NBA service, or wait to see who gets waived by other teams.
