Washington, Hornets agree to 3-year. $48M deal

Restricted free agent forward P.J. Washington has agreed on a new three-year, $48 million contract to stay with the Charlotte Hornets, Lift Sports Management agent Kevin Bradbury and Washington Sports Group’s Paul Washington Sr. told ESPN on Saturday.

Washington, 25, was the league’s final unsigned restricted free agent this summer.

The agreement avoids a second Hornets forward signing a qualifying offer and becoming eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2025 — something forward Miles Bridges did in July.

Washington averaged career-highs in points (15.7) and three-pointers (2.0) per game last season. He was the first Hornets player in history to average two three-pointers and a block in the 2022-2023 season, according to ESPN Stats and Information. Washington — the 12th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Kentucky — started 73 games for the Hornets last season.

Washington’s career-best season included a 43-point performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder in March.