PJ Washington will be a restricted free agent this summer, allowing the Charlotte Hornets to match any offer sheet he signs, should they choose to do so. According to Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes, Washington should be hoping that Washington finds himself suiting up for a new team next season.
Furthermore, Hughes believes that either the Sacramento Kings or Indiana Pacers would be the ideal landing spots for Washington.
"“In addition to the potential for more money elsewhere, Washington should be wary of returning to Charlotte for on-court reasons,” Hughes wrote. “LaMelo Ball figures to be healthy, Miles Bridges could be back after a season on the sidelines, and this year’s No. 2 draft pick will either bring in a rookie Charlotte will want to develop or, less likely, a veteran trade acquisition of some consequence.Washington could thrive on a winner as a scoring role player who defends forwards adequately, perhaps as a younger replacement for Harrison Barnes with the Sacramento Kings or as a running mate with Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner on the intriguing Indiana Pacers.”"
Last season, Washington stepped into a bigger role than expected following the Hornets’ litany of injury issues. Having started all 73 of the Hornets’ games, Washington averaged 15.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, shooting 44.4% from the field and 34.8% from deep.
It should come as no surprise that Washington has suitors from around the NBA. A sharpshooting forward who can rebound, defend, and attack closeouts is incredibly valuable in the modern game. Yet, that’s what makes the risk of losing Washington for nothing such a worrying concept.
We can only hope that should another team price the Hornets out of contract negotiations, Washington is willing to work with the team for a sign-and-trade, so Charlotte at least gets something back in return.
Hopefully, Washington will see what Mitch Kupchak and the front office are trying to build in Charlotte and will be willing to work with the team to agree on terms of a contract that works for both sides. Because keeping homegrown talents around is what makes potential f