Category: Washington Wizards Blog

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed free agent guard/forward Martell Webster. It’s a one-year deal for $1.6 million, according to the Washington Post.

“Martell brings a combination of versatility and shooting in addition to his experience,” said Grunfeld.  “Adding him to the roster provides us with another solid veteran presence and gives us flexibility with our lineups at both the shooting guard and small forward positions.”

Per the Post, “the Timberwolves bought out Webster for $600,000 last month rather than pay him the $5.7 million he would’ve earned, making him a free agent. He impressed the Wizards during a workout last week at Verizon Center and agreed to a deal shortly thereafter.”

Webster (6-7, 230) holds career averages of 8.4 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting .374 from three-point range in 394 games (191 starts) over seven seasons with Portland and Minnesota.  He was originally selected by the Trail Blazers with the sixth overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft as an early-entry candidate out of Seattle Prep High School.  Webster averaged 9.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and a career-high .417 three-point percentage for the Timberwolves in 2010-11 and averaged career highs of 10.7 points and 3.9 rebounds for the Trail Blazers in 2007-08.  He averaged 6.9 points and 3.6 rebounds in 47 games (26 starts) for Minnesota last season.

The Wizards’ roster now stands at 14 players.

The Washington Wizards aren’t desperately in need of making any roster additions, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t searching through the remaining free agent pool to find a possible fit – financially and personnel-wise – with the team.

Free agent small forward Martell Webster worked out for the Wizards at Verizon Center this week, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation. The former No. 6 pick of the NBA draft in 2005, Webster has averaged 8.4 points and shot 37.4 percent from beyond three-point range throughout his career in Portland and Minnesota.

— Reported by Michael Lee of the Washington Post (Blog)

The Washington Wizards announced today that Jerry Sichting will join Randy Wittman’s staff as an assistant coach.

Sichting brings 24 years of experience as an NBA player, coach and talent evaluator to the Wizards’ bench, including 11 seasons serving as an assistant both alongside and under Wittman with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“I’m obviously very familiar with what Jerry will add to our staff and I’m thrilled to have him on board,” said Wittman.  “His experience playing, teaching and evaluating the game will be valuable on the bench and on the practice court as we continue to develop our players and establish this team’s identity.”

Sichting originally began his career with Minnesota in 1995-96 as the team’s director of scouting and player development before moving to the bench and adding assistant coach to his title for the next nine seasons (seven of which were spent alongside Wittman).  After a stint as an assistant with Marquette University in 2006-07, Sichting returned to the Timberwolves for two seasons as an assistant under Wittman, who had been promoted to head coach.  He returned to the front office as director of pro personnel in 2009-10 before joining the Golden State Warriors as an assistant coach for the 2010-11 campaign.  Sichting most recently stepped in to coach Martinsville (Ind.) High School, his alma mater, following the abrupt retirement of the team’s head coach during the 2011-12 season.

As a player, Sichting averaged 6.9 points and 3.3 assists over 598 games and 10 seasons with Indiana, Boston, Portland, Charlotte and Milwaukee.  He began his playing career in 1980 with the Pacers, and averaged a career-high 11.5 points per game during the 1983-84 season.  Sichting went on to help the Celtics capture the 1986 NBA Championship, averaging 6.5 points per game off the bench.  He returned to Boston after his playing career ended, spending four seasons (1991-95) as an analyst on the Celtics’ radio broadcasts.

Sichting was originally a fourth-round selection (82nd) overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 1979 NBA Draft out of Purdue University, where he was the captain of the 1978-79 Boilermakers squad that captured the Big 10 Championship.  He was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.

Nene sat out the final game of pool play for Brazil on Monday with soreness in his left foot, but the Wizards have been monitoring the injury and remain optimistic that it will not be a problem when training camp begins on Oct. 2, according to a source with knowledge of the team’s thinking.

Nene is expected to be available on Wednesday when Brazil (4-1) plays Argentina in the quarterfinals. Brazilian Coach Ruben Magnano rested Nene against Spain, but his team still won, 88-82, in a game that it didn’t need to win and possibly set up a more difficult path for a medal. Brazil is seeking its first Olympic medal since 1964.

— Reported by Michael Lee of the Washington Post (Blog)

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed free agent guard A.J. Price.

“A.J. is an experienced and dependable player who fits in well with the mix of proven veterans and young players we have on our roster,” said Grunfeld.  “Adding him will help to bring depth to our backcourt rotation.”

Price (6-1, 185) holds career averages of 6.0 points, 2.0 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 150 games over three seasons with Indiana.  He was originally selected by the Pacers in the second round (52nd overall) of the 2009 NBA Draft out of the University of Connecticut.  Price averaged 3.9 points and 2.0 assists in 44 games last season.  He has appeared in nine career playoff games, averaging 4.9 points (including 8.4 points over five games during the 2011 NBA Playoffs).

As expected, Andray Blatche cleared waivers Thursday when none of the nine teams with salary cap space made the minimum bid of $3.79 million to acquire him. Blatche is now an unrestricted free agent.

Blatche’s agent, Andy Miller, said he doesn’t expect teams to make a serious push for his client’s services until the conclusion of summer league.

The Wizards designated Blatche as their amnesty player Tuesday, ending a seven-year relationship with the 6-foot-11 power forward, who has career averages of 9.9 points and 5.4 rebounds. Blatche will receive the entire $23 million remaining on his contract, over three years. His salary, however, is no longer on the Wizards’ payroll, under the rules of the league’s collective bargaining agreement.

— Reported by Michael Lee of the Washington Post (Blog)