Leaky Black, Jaylen Nowell, and Kira Lewis—all free agents—have agreed to contracts with the Wizards, according to league sources that were shared with Josh Robbins and Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Robbins and Charania claim that all three players will sign Exhibit 10 contracts with Washington and be eligible to fight for roster slots during the regular season at training camp.
The 23-year-old Lewis was selected with the 13th overall choice in the 2020 NBA Draft, although he only played in 131 games throughout his first four seasons in the league primarily because of injuries, which included a ruptured ACL in the 2021–2022 campaign. For the Pelicans, Raptors, and Jazz, the 6’1′′ guard has averaged 13.3 minutes per game, 5.2 points, and 1.8 assists. Prior to becoming an unrestricted free agent when the Jazz refused to extend a qualifying offer, he was traded three times during the previous season—from New Orleans to Indiana to Toronto to Utah.
The 6’4′′ shooting guard Nowell played 184 games for the Timberwolves from 2019 to 23 over his first four NBA seasons, averaging 9.1 points per game on a.447/.322/.798 shooting percentage. Despite demonstrating potential as a scorer, Nowell was unable to secure a regular NBA position in the previous campaign. Sacramento dismissed him prior to the season’s start, and he subsequently signed two 10-day contracts with the Grizzlies and Pistons. The 25-year-old played for the Stockton Kings in the G League for the majority of the 2023–24 season.
Black, 25, was not selected out of UNC in 2023 and played his rookie season with the Hornets. On a two-way contract with Charlotte, the forward played in just 26 NBA games. In 25 total Showcase Cup and regular season games, he averaged 7.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, and 2.1 APG in 24.8 MPG. He was a bigger player for the Greensboro Swarm in the NBAGL. He had a two-year contract, but the Hornets waived him roughly four weeks ago.
Exhibit 10 contracts allow players to earn bonuses of up to $77.5K if they are waived by their NBA teams and then spend at least 60 days with the club’s G League affiliate. This is one reason why Lewis, Nowell, and/or Black might end up playing for the Capital City Go-Go. Exhibit 10 contracts can also be changed to two-way contracts prior to opening night; however, Lewis and Nowell are not permitted to be two-way players due to their more than three years of NBA service.
Right now, the Wizards have 16 players on normal contracts (15 of whom are guaranteed), plus two players on two-way deals. Lewis or Nowell will have a difficult time breaking into the starting lineup during the regular season unless Washington plans to trade or waive a player with a guaranteed contract. Black is expected to be considered for the team’s open two-way spot.
