Wizards Notes: Hachimura, Goodwin, Davis, Barton

A Wizards source denied a rumor that the team offered Rui Hachimura to the Suns in a deal for Jae Crowder, Josh Robbins of The Athletic writes in a mailbag column. Robbins acknowledges that Crowder would be an asset for Washington in its battle for a play-in spot, but he states that it makes no sense to part with a young player like Hachimura in return.

Although the Wizards didn’t work out an extension with the 24-year-old forward before the October deadline, they still have the ability to make him a restricted free agent and match any offer he receives this summer. Crowder will be an unrestricted free agent in July, and there’s no guarantee that Washington would be able to re-sign him.

Wizards management believes Hachimura has improved this season, particularly on defense, and can be part of the team’s long-term future. The only concern, Robbins adds, is whether the organization can afford to re-sign Hachimura, Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis if they all become free agents at the same time.

There’s more on the Wizards, all from Robbins:

• The team plans to convert Jordan Goodwin‘s two-way deal to a standard contract at some point, the same source tells Robbins. The 24-year-old guard, who is averaging 7.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 19.1 minutes per game, was developed through the team’s G League affiliate after going undrafted and is viewed as a potential rotation player, Robbins adds. He’s appeared in 31 games so far this season, nearing the limit of 50 for two-way players, so the Wizards will have to make a move fairly soon. Washington currently has a full roster, and an opening will have to be created before Goodwin’s contract can be converted.
• First-round pick Johnny Davis may spend most of his rookie season in the G League, coach Wes Unseld Jr. indicated this week. Davis has only appeared in 10 NBA games so far and appears to be the victim of a roster crunch. “Once again, there’s not a ton of minutes,” Unseld said. “Those minutes were opened up for Corey (Kispert last season as a rookie) because we had injuries to significant guys, and he was able to benefit from that. So it’s hard to say how this shakes out for Johnny when it comes to minutes with the Wizards (this season). Hopefully, we’re over the injury bug and can move forward, but he’s just got to develop, and continue to (develop), at his own pace. We’re going to continue to push him and try to maximize as many minutes as he can get on the floor whether that’s with us or the (G League) Go-Go.”
• Will Barton may be a buyout candidate if the Wizards can’t trade him before next month’s deadline, Robbins adds. The 32-year-old swingman, who was acquired from the Nuggets in an offseason deal, has fallen out of the rotation and is headed toward free agency.