Since P. J. Washington and Christian Wood have signed their contracts for next season, Kelly Oubre Jr. must feel very alone in the transfer market… No doubt the winger is dreaming of the same contract as PJ Washington, extended for 48 million dollars over three years by the Hornets. An extension that took several weeks to materialize…
“I wanted to stay there, so for me it’s great” reacted inside the Hornets at a press conference. Words that made GM Mitch Kupchak jump, sitting next to him: “It’s not what your agents told me!” » Even if the two laugh, the leader of the Hornets explained why this contract extension took time.
“Without going into details, being a protected free agent implies restrictions that go hand in hand with this type of status” recalls Mitch Kupchak. “Frankly, sometimes things take longer than they do at other times. The intentions have always been good during the negotiations. Nobody deviated from the trajectory and everyone showed great professionalism. We understood each other, we listened to each other, we took a few weeks off and we got back on the phone. Sometimes it takes longer. I think the main thing is that the agents have always shown balance, listening and commitment. I hope we did the same. When these things happen, most of the time, a deal is struck. »
“Since I’ve been here, I’ve never made the playoffs. So I want to taste it”
Indeed, an agreement has therefore been concluded at a reasonable price for a player who averages almost 16 points. The franchise is starting a new chapter after the departure of Michael Jordan, and PJ Washington was keen to be part of the project.
“It’s a great relief. Obviously, it took time, all summer” see Charlotte’s interior. “For my part, I stayed calm, controlling what I can control. That is to say, play sports, be a good father and a good fiancé. That’s all I did and I’m happy to have the contract, to be here and to move forward. That’s the point. (…) I was looking forward to coming back here and seeing the guys. I really wanted to see everyone. I missed everyone. For me, the first day of my return was awesome. I could see everyone. »
The core of the team has not changed, and PJ Washington hopes that this continuity will allow us to take a step forward and aim higher. “I think there will be great things here in Charlotte. This is our main objective. Since I’ve been here, I’ve never made the playoffs. So I want to taste it. I want to see how it feels, and I want to end up winning in the playoffs. I think we have a good staff, good leaders, good players… We have everything we need to get there. We just have to be regular every day and give ourselves the means. But you have to fight to make it happen. »
| P. J. Washington | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2019-20 | CHA | 58 | 30 | 45.5 | 37.4 | 64.7 | 1.0 | 4.5 | 5.5 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 12.2 |
| 2020-21 | CHA | 64 | 31 | 44.0 | 38.6 | 74.5 | 1.5 | 5.1 | 6.5 | 2.5 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 12.9 |
| 2021-22 | CHA | 65 | 27 | 47.0 | 36.5 | 71.6 | 1.3 | 3.9 | 5.2 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 10.3 |
| 2022-23 | CHA | 73 | 33 | 44.4 | 34.8 | 73.0 | 1.0 | 3.9 | 4.9 | 2.4 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 15.7 |
| Total | 260 | 30 | 45.0 | 36.6 | 71.1 | 1.2 | 4.3 | 5.5 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 12.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
