Day: January 23, 2023

A year ago, the Charlotte Hornets looked to be set at the forward position. A year later, it’s a position in flux for Charlotte.

Both of this season’s starters, P.J. Washington and Jalen McDaniels, will be free agents this summer. And Miles Bridges remains unsigned after domestic violence charges last summer.

With McDaniels an unrestricted free agent and Bridges’ status still up in the air, Charlotte has rising interest in re-signing Washington. The fourth-year forward has started and played in 46 of the Hornets 47 games this season.

Washington has averaged a career-high 15.4 points per game, while maintaining solid shooting percentages. Charlotte can make Washington a restricted free agent this summer, by tendering him a $7.99 million qualifying offer.

Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac last played in an NBA game on August 2nd, 2020 in the bubble at Walt Disney World. That day, Isaac tore the ACL in his left knee. After a year-plus of rehab, Isaac suffered a setback with a serious hamstring injury.

Those two injuries have cost Isaac the last two full NBA seasons and over half of this season. Now, two-and-a-half years after his initial injury, the Magic expect Isaac to return to the NBA court on Monday vs the Boston Celtics.

Isaac recently appeared in three games for the Lakeland Magic of the G League. Isaac was productive, by scoring 15.7 points in 17.7 minutes per game. More importantly, Isaac looked good physically and made it out of the three contests with no physical issues.

In recent days, it surfaced that that the Washington Wizards are talking trades involving Rui Hachimura. Following Saturday’s home win over the Orlando Magic, Hachimura offered his thoughts on his game and the trade rumors.

After tying his career-high with 30 points, Hachimura expressed confidence in his game.

“I just got to play my game. I know what I can do, and I can help the team to win,” Hachimura said. “It’s either here or another team. I can help teams.”

On the rumors, the fourth-year forward said he wants to go somewhere that he’ll be appreciated.

“I just want to be somewhere that wants me as a basketball player,” Hachimura said. “And I want to be somewhere that loves my – likes my game, you know? I just want to be somewhere that trusts, believes in me. Just I can be myself – that’s my goal.”

Hachimura is eligible for restricted free agency this summer, with the Wizards or with a team that trades for him. When asked if he’s asked for a trade, Hachimura didn’t want to discuss those specifics and said, “No comment.”