The Washington Wizards enter the NBA free agency period hoping to re-sign forward Mike Scott, according to Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington.
Scott re-established his career playing in 76 games for the Wizards in 2017-18 primarily as the backup power forward. He blossomed with the Wizards’ second unit, shooting a career-high 52.7 percent from the field and 40.5 from three-point range. He averaged 8.8 points and 3.3 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game.
Scott signed a one-year deal with Washington last season for the league’s veteran minimum. He is sure to garner interest on the open market that will far exceed last season’s salary. According to Hughes, as many as 10 teams will be interested in Scott when the NBA’s free agency begins on Sunday.
Scott is an unrestricted free agent and the Wizards do not own his bird rights, meaning the team will have to fit inside of their salary cap to retain him. Right now, Washington is cash strapped and will most likely have to use their $5.3 million taxpayer mid-level exception if they are to bring Scott back. Per the collective bargaining agreement, Washington sign a player using the MLE up to three years.
The Wizards have needs at backup power forward, the position Scott held and center after the team traded Marcin Gortat to the Los Angeles Clippers for Austin Rivers.
The Wizards have two roster spots available to get to the league minimum of 13 players. They also hold a trade exception worth $915,218 from trading Gortat. Washington has also been linked to soon-to-be available Dwight Howard, who is expected to receive a buyout from the Brooklyn Nets, who recently acquired him in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets.
The Wizards feature one of the more exciting backcourts in the NBA with John Wall and Bradley Beal. They also have Otto Porter Jr who is a max contract along with Wall and Beal. Washington will look to bulk their bench and address their dire need of another center, depending on how the market dictates, they also want to include Scott into their summer plans.
