Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
2025 Free Agents - Johnny Davis
Davis was a breakout star for Wisconsin during his sophomore year in '21-'22, becoming one of the best players in college basketball and winning National Player of the Year. That led him to getting picked 10th overall by the Wizards in 2022. Unfortunately for Davis, he got off to a rough start, and has never been able to really get comfortable at the NBA level. He has even struggled to make an impact during his G-League minutes. Davis was a high-level shot-maker in college, but has really struggled to hit shots in the NBA, posting a ghastly 46% true shooting. He just hasn't been able to create space or really create advantages in any way off-the-dribble against NBA defenders. He hasn't thrived as an off-ball player either, hitting fewer than 30% of his 3s, so defenses aren't worried about leaving him open. Davis will still be only 23 years old as a free agent in 2025, so he's young enough that teams might give him a chance. However, it has just been a rough overall time for Davis during his brief NBA career, and he may need to go overseas and develop before trying to make a return to the league.
Summary
Davis had the fourth year of his rookie option declined, so he will be an unrestricted free agent with a $6.8 million cap hold and limited Bird Rights. The highest starting salary the Wizards can offer is the $6.8 million amount of the option year that was declined. That still should be enough to re-sign him, should they wish to do so. If another team has interest in signing Davis, they could pry him away from Washington by offering him more than the $6.8 million that the Wizards can offer, by using cap space, the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception, or Room MLE to sign him. However, I don't think Davis will get offers above the minimum, and he may not even get fully-guaranteed offers.
Cap Considerations
Killian Hayes (1 year minimum, non-guaranteed 2024) Malachi Flynn (1 year minimum, non-guaranteed 2024) Cameron Payne (1 year minimum, 2024)