NBA free agency hits fast, and it hits hard. On the first day or two that players are available, most of them get snatched up. After that, free agency grinds to a halt. At this point, most of the best free agents on the market have signed with their preferred teams.
With that said, life is a little more difficult for restricted free agents. Their incumbent teams have less incentive to rush into a decision. If another team makes them an offer, they can match it. Perhaps that’s why PJ Washington is still on the market.
Someone has to sign Washington. He’s too good to waste away on the open market. In time, he’ll find a new NBA home. Here are three teams that we think should consider offering it to him.
Washington Wizards
No, we’re not making this suggestion so that Washington can land on Washington. Although it’s rare for a player’s name to match his team, that isn’t the point here. If Washington’s first name was Wizard, perhaps we’d feel differently.
We’re making this suggestion because the Wizards are about to trigger a long-term rebuilding process. Meanwhile, Washington is young enough to be part of a rebuild. Moreover, the Wizards don’t currently have a player like him. Washington is a combo big who can man the 5 in small-ball lineups. Eventually, the Wizards will want a player with that type of utility.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: PJ Washington, Charlotte Hornets & Washington Wizards Updates
Eventually. The Wizards could be justified in avoiding useful players at the moment. If they want to tank in 2023-24, they may opt against signing Washington. Is there a team in a better position to target him?
Cleveland Cavaliers
If the Cleveland Cavaliers had Washington last season, things could have gone differently. This team needed some extra mobility in the frontcourt against the New York Knicks. Their towering duo of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen forced them into a slow, prodding brand of basketball.
Washington would open up the floor for the Cavaliers. In pairing him with Evan Mobley, the Cavs would have five-out spacing to go with elite defensive versatility. This feels like a good fit – in theory, that is.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: PJ Washington, Charlotte Hornets & Cleveland Cavaliers Updates
In practice, the Cavaliers may not be able to afford Washington. Sure, they could try to orchestrate a sign-and-trade featuring Allen, but the Hornets are unlikely to want him. Mark Williams looked like their big man of the future in 2023-24. Who is going to sign Washington?
Charlotte Hornets
Realistically, the Washington Wizards should stay right where he is. Meanwhile, the Hornets should want to keep him. We understand why they haven’t rushed to get a deal done, but in time, they should get one done regardless.
What’s the reservation? Sure, the Hornets are bringing Miles Bridges back. We’ll see how he looks after missing an entire season of NBA basketball. In the meantime, the Hornets can find starting minutes for Washington without starting him. He’s an archetypical reserve due to his positional versatility.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: PJ Washington & Charlotte Hornets Updates
Meanwhile, the Hornets should be poised to take a step forward next season. This team opted for fit in the 2023 draft when they selected Brandon Miller over Scoot Henderson. There will be expectations next season – and there isn’t a free agent left who can help them meet them like Washington.
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