Charlotte Hornets

LINK: https://sports.yahoo.com/how-pj-washingtons-situation-with-charlotte-reflects-the-franchises-unsettled-standing-142730646.html

After distant negotiations prior to Summer League, the early word among league personnel suggested Washington and Charlotte were far apart on a four-year deal structure typical for such an extension. Washington has not drawn an offer from the Hornets that reaches Stewart’s salary figure, sources said, of $16 million per season.

The problem for Washington is there’s no competitor to draw up Charlotte’s price. Any rival team would be limited to the four-year, $50 million ballpark of the mid-level exception. If Washington wants to get starter-level money, his only option is with the Hornets or finding a sign-and-trade scenario. At this juncture, it appears the Hornets would prefer to work on a sign-and-trade rather than Washington accepting the qualifying offer. Grant Williams found himself in a similar, yet quicker situation with Boston, and the Celtics at least recouped two second-round picks for his departure.

Washington’s unresolved contract isn’t the swing factor for a title contender, but it’s a ripple effect for a franchise headed for an inflection point, a seismic shift in management at the ownership level alone. There was some optimism among people familiar with the matter that Charlotte and Washington would come to terms following Summer League. One truth that’s for certain: From how the Chicago Bulls handled Lauri Markkanen’s offseason in 2021, how Boston moved on from Williams, and Washington and Bridges’ situations in Charlotte, restricted free agency has continued to be a bear for the players involved.