The Washington Wizards agreed to a four-year, $64 million deal with free-agent center Ian Mahinmi July 2, as first reported by Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post . The deal represents the Wizards’ first addition of a critical offseason, after missing out on a key target.
Having been denied a meeting with free-agent forward and Washington, D.C. native Kevin Durant, the Wizards appeared to zero in on free-agent center/forward Al Horford as their top target. A four-time All-Star who has averaged 14.3 points and 8.9 rebounds per game during his career, the former Atlanta Hawk chose to sign a four-year deal with the Boston Celtics.
Shortly after Horford made his decision, news broke of Washington agreeing to a deal with Mahinmi, who will turn 30 in November. The 6-foot-11 Mahinmi had a career year for Indiana last season, averaging 9.3 points and 7.1 boards per game in 71 contests, but is known more for his defensive chops.
