Report: Wizards, Kristaps Porzingis talks contract extension

Washington Wizards vs Philadelphia 76ers

Despite the fact that they’re 34-42 and close to missing even the play-in, the Washington Wizards like their core Bradley Beal, Kristaps Porzingis And Kyle Kuzma. The Wizards have a solid +4.6 net rating when all three of them are on the court together (about cleaning the glass), the problem is that alone didn’t translate to winning (they’re 4-10 in games with all three, but don’t Delon Wright at the point; However, this trio with Wright is 12-9, Notes from Josh Robbins at The Athletic).

Washington wants to lock up that core. Beal got his Max contract (complete with a no trade clause), and the Wizards have taken steps to sign a free agent as Kyle Kuzma this offseason (there’s reportedly a mutual interest). That leaves Kristaps Porzingis, who has a $36m player option for next season, and sides are talking about an extension. reports Shams Charania at The Athletic.

Porziņģis and the Wizards have been in serious talk about a new contract, which would see him turn down his $36 million player option for the 2023-24 season and sign a new long-term contract, sources say. The Wizards can offer Porziņģis a maximum of four years and $180 million if he signs off for next year and renews his contract. The deadline for such an agreement ends at the end of June.

The sorcerers will not exhaust Porzingis. That begs the question, what salary number and how many years do you want to give a player with his injury history? Porzingis has played 65 out of 76 games so far this season (they could shut him down with no realistic chance of making the play-in), but is it realistic to expect that in the years to come? He also posted impressive stats this season: 23.2 points per game with a 62.7 true shooting average, 8.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 blocks per night.

This is likely a case where Porzingis agrees to take less than his opt-in number per year for several years’ security and more guaranteed money overall. Wizards will want a number that will keep him as a valuable trading partner if things don’t go as planned (with Beal, specifically) and they need to pivot to a rebuild. Which if they have another season like this last one is a growing possibility.