{"id":52957,"date":"2023-08-27T10:38:33","date_gmt":"2023-08-27T14:38:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=52957"},"modified":"2025-09-14T18:55:49","modified_gmt":"2025-09-14T22:55:49","slug":"nba-rumors-whats-next-for-hornets-after-re-signing-p-j-washington","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/08\/27\/nba-rumors-whats-next-for-hornets-after-re-signing-p-j-washington\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Rumors: What&#8217;s Next for Hornets After Re-Signing P.J. Washington"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Nearly two months into NBA free agency, the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/07\/24\/2023-24-nba-power-rankings-offseason-edition-no-30-charlotte-hornets\/\" target=\"_self\">Charlotte Hornets<\/a> and restricted forward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/washipj01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>P.J. Washington&#8217;s<\/strong><\/a> stalemate has finally ended. According to ESPN&#8217;s Adrian Wojnarowski, Washington agreed to a three-year, $48 million deal to stay with the Hornets on Saturday.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Restricted free agent F PJ Washington has agreed on a new three-year, $48 million contract to stay with the Charlotte Hornets, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LIFTSPORTSMNGMT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@LiftSportsMngmt<\/a> agent Kevin Bradbury and Washington Sports Group\u2019s Paul Washington Sr. tell ESPN. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/tNoEfhPkeZ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/tNoEfhPkeZ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/wojespn\/status\/1695470084695748716?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 26, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>NBA Rumors: What Next for Hornets After Re-Signing P.J. Washington<\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Washington is the last restricted free agent on a standard contract to come to terms. There was concern that he and the Hornets wouldn&#8217;t be able to reach a long-term agreement. Washington, whose qualifying offer was worth $8.5 million, was reportedly seeking between $18 to $20 million a season. So, an average of <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/05\/14\/nba-rumors-charlotte-hornets-offseason-plans\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">$16 million a year<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0isn&#8217;t a bad compromise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Washington is an integral part of Charlotte&#8217;s young core that includes\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/ballla01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">LaMelo Ball<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">,\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bridgmi02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Miles Bridges<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">,\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/willima07.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Mark Williams<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, and <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/millebr02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Brandon Miller<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Washington is a top-20 power forward in the league, as he plays on both ends of the floor. While not a great finisher around the basket, he is a capable mid-range shooter and can extend defenses past the three-point line. Rebounding is a weakness, though Washington is a decent passer and rim-protector.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Washington is coming off a career year, producing career-bests with 15.7 points and 2.0 three-pointers a game. He added 4.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists with a shooting slash line of 44\/35\/73.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It will be interesting to see whether Steve Clifford keeps Washington in the starting lineup, like last year when he was the team&#8217;s most consistent player, or have him come off the bench as in 2021-22.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Hornets Training Camp Roster<\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">With the inclusion of\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/08\/15\/nba-rumors-cavs-targeting-p-j-washington-raptors-interested-in-tyler-herro\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Washington<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, Charlotte has 16 players on standard contracts.\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/thorjt01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">JT Thor<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/simmoko01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Kobi Simmons<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0are on nonguaranteed contracts, while\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/n\/ntilila01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Frank Ntilikina<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0has a small guarantee. So, the Hornets have upcoming decisions to make.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Ntilikina, whom the Hornets gave a $200,000 signing bonus, suffered a hamstring injury with France&#8217;s national team on August 17. The severity of it is unknown. But the damage could cost the 25-year-old a roster spot if it lingers or prevents him from participating in training camp.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It is easy to assume that Thor, Simmons, and Ntilikina will compete for the Hornets&#8217; final two roster spots. However,\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bouknja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">James Bouknight<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcgowbr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Bryce McGowens&#8217;<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0spots on the roster could be in jeopardy if they struggle during training camp.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Washington also gives the Hornets 22 players committed to their training camp roster.\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/blackle01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Leaky Black<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/baileam01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Amari Bailey<\/span><\/strong><\/a><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">are on two-way contracts, meaning the Hornets still have an open two-way spot. The Hornets are likely holding the final spot for\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/maledth01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Theo Maledon<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, as they made him a qualifying offer before free agency.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Prior to Washington&#8217;s commitment, the Hornets were reportedly going to bring in\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/angelo-allegri-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Angelo Allegri<\/span><\/strong><\/a><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">,\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/tre-scott-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Tre Scott<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">,\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/nathan-mensah-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Nathan Mensah<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, and\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hunterj01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">R.J. Hunter<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> on training camp deals. Most likely, all four players had Exhibit 10 contracts, meaning the Hornets would own their G League rights if waived. If that is the case, they can waive one of them and send him to the Greensboro Swarm as an affiliate player before camp. <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/05\/25\/nba-rumors-who-are-the-charlotte-hornets-targeting-with-their-five-draft-picks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">2023 second-round pick<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/international\/players\/james-nnaji-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">James Nnaji<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0remains unsigned, though there is a good chance he stays in Europe as a draft and stash prospect.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Rotation<\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">There is so much unknown surrounding Charlotte. Here is what is known. Ball and\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/roziete01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Terry Rozier<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0will start in the backcourt for the Hornets.\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/haywago01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Gordon Hayward<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, Miller, and Washington could be in consideration to start at either forward spot. Meanwhile, Washington and Williams are candidates to start at center.\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/martico01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cody Martin<\/span><\/strong><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0appears to be the only other player guaranteed a place in the rotation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Charlotte&#8217;s biggest current need is to figure out who will be the first guard off the bench when either Ball or Rozier needs a break. Ntilikina was presumably brought in to fill that role but will have to wait and see with the injury.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nearly two months into NBA free agency, the Charlotte Hornets and restricted forward P.J. Washington&#8217;s stalemate has finally ended. According to ESPN&#8217;s Adrian Wojnarowski, Washington agreed to a three-year, $48 million deal to stay with the Hornets on Saturday. Restricted free agent F PJ Washington has agreed on a new three-year, $48 million contract to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3146,"featured_media":52963,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7,1608,62],"tags":[4964,399,823,4044,1148,1826],"class_list":["post-52957","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hornets","category-basketball","category-nba","tag-2023-nba-free-agents","tag-gordon-hayward","tag-lamelo-ball","tag-mark-williams","tag-miles-bridges","tag-p-j-washington"],"modified_by":"Daniel Benjamin","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52957","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3146"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52957"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52957\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":52959,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52957\/revisions\/52959"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/52963"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52957"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52957"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52957"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}