Wizards to extend options to Rui Hachimura and Deni Avdija, according to report

The Washington Wizards will exercise the rookie scale contract options they have on Rui Hachimura, their first round pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and Deni Avdija, their first round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, according to Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington.

As Hughes noted, these moves are expected since both were at the very least rotation-level players on Washington’s roster. It would be big news if the Wizards declined those options since it would likely mean that they won’t be back the following season. Cases in point? Moritz Wagner and Jerome Robinson from last season.

Hachimura will make approximately $6.2 million in the 2022-23 NBA season, or the fourth year of his rookie scale contract. Avdija will make approximately $4.9 million for the third year of his contract in the same sseason

While it is expected that Hachimura and Avdija will play out their rookie scale contracts in Washington, the looming question is what Washington should do with them after. Hachimura can sign an extension next season, which will likely include a salary well over $10 million per season. And assuming his fourth-year contract option is granted in the 2022-23 NBA season, Avdija is eligible to sign a contract option in the 2023-24 NBA season.