As expected, the Wizards are expected to do all they can to retain restricted free agent Otto Porter in free agency. According to Mike Wise of The Undefeated (Twitter link), Washington plans to make an “aggressive” offer to Porter right when free agency opens at midnight tonight, and will match any offer he receives from another team.
The only scenario in which the Wizards may let Porter get away is in a sign-and-trade for an upgrade at the small forward spot. However, there are few players and teams around the NBA that would be a match for such a deal, outside of Paul George and the Pacers. As Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today tweets, the most likely outcome is that Porter signs an offer sheet and Washington matches it. The Nets are viewed as a threat to come after the 24-year-old in free agency.
Porter had his best year as a pro in 2016/17, averaging career bests in PPG (13.4), RPG (6.4), and SPG (1.5), while posting an incredibly efficient .516/.434/.832 shooting line. I ranked him eighth overall in Hoops Rumors’ list of this year’s top 50 free agents.
Based on the latest salary cap projections from the NBA, a max offer sheet for Porter would be worth just over $106MM for four years.