PJ Washington set to enter restricted free agency next summer
It’s a contract year for PJ Washington after failing to reach an agreement on a rookie extension with the Charlotte Hornets at the deadline on Monday. The former Kentucky Wildcat is now set to enter restricted free agency next summer.
6 p.m. ET on Monday, Oct. 17 was the deadline for first-round rookies from the 2019 NBA Draft class to sign an extension with their respective franchises.
R.J. Barrett (Knicks), Brandon Clarke (Grizzlies), Darius Garland (Cavaliers), Tyler Herro (Heat), De’Andre Hunter (Hawks), Keldon Johnson (Spurs), Nassir Little (Trail Blazers), Ja Morant (Grizzlies), Jordan Poole (Warriors), Kevin Porter Jr. (Rockets) and Zion Williamson (Pelicans) were the 2019 rookies to sign extensions leading up to the deadline.
Washington joins the likes of Jaxson Hayes (Pelicans), Cam Johnson (Suns), Cam Reddish (Knicks), Coby White (Bulls) and Grant Williams (Celtics) to not sign rookie extensions.
The former Wildcat is entering his fourth season in the NBA, spending each of his first three years in Charlotte. He’s averaging 11.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 blocks per game to start his career. His best season came in 2020-21, averaging a career-high 12.9 points on 44.0% shooting, 38.6% from three and 74.5% from the line to go with 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals in 30.5 minutes per contest.
He earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors back in 2020 after averaging 12.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
Washington was selected 12th overall by the Hornets in 2019 following a brilliant sophomore season at Kentucky where he earned NCAA Consensus Third-Team All-America and First-Team All-SEC honors after averaging a team-high 15.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest. He was one of five finalists for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s Karl Malone Award, presented annually to the nation’s top power forward.
Now, he’s set to enter restricted free agency at the conclusion of the 2022-23 NBA season.
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