Backup point guard Delon Wright has agreed to a contract buyout that will create a second open slot on the Washington Wizards’ roster and allow Wright, a nine-year NBA veteran, to sign elsewhere, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement.
Wright, whose contract the Wizards shopped around before last week’s trade deadline only to receive underwhelming offers, was set to make $8.2 million this season before becoming an unrestricted free agent this summer. By negotiating a buyout, Washington retains some of Wright’s salary rather than paying him in full for the remainder of a season the Wizards are devoting to advancing their young players.
The point guard has not played more than seven minutes in a game since the trade deadline.
Once Wright clears waivers, Washington will carry two open slots on its 15-man roster, which does not include players on two-way contracts, meaning the Wizards will have to add another standard-contract player. Teams are not permitted to carry fewer than 14 players for more than two weeks at a time and 28 days total during the regular season.
Wright, meanwhile, gives the Heat an experienced disrupter on defense who can also capably organize an offense and be an off-ball threat.
