76ers Rival Rumors: Porzingis, Wizards Discussing Long-Term Deal?

The Washington Wizards are kicking around the idea of keeping Kristaps Porzingis around long-term. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Porzingis and the Wizards have been “serious discussing a new deal.”

Next season, Porzingis has a $36 million player option attached to his contract. While Porzingis was likely to pick up the option, a new extension would lead the standout center to decline the player option and begin playing on a new deal.

Per Charania, the Wizards can offer Porzingis a max contract with a duration of four years valued at $180 million. The deadline for the potential deal would kick in over the offseason in June.

Porzingis has been a notable competitor to the Philadelphia 76ers over the years. After starting his career as the face of the New York Knicks, Porzingis found himself moved to the Dallas Mavericks, taking him out of the Atlantic Division.

Since joining the Washington Wizards, Porzingis is back in the Eastern Conference and has faced the Sixers four times. Since establishing a rhythm with the Wizards, Porzingis has had some decent outings against the Sixers this year.

In the first two games earlier this year, Porzingis totaled for 62 points, 18 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and three blocks. While he dominated the Sixers in those first two outings, his most recent performance against Philly was surely more forgettable.

On March 12, Porzingis struggled during his 25-minute shift, scoring just nine points while coming down with six rebounds. Overall, Porzingis averaged 24 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two blocks against the Sixers during his first full season with the Wizards.

If Washington chooses to keep Porzingis around long-term and build around the center, they could find themselves as playoff contenders in the Eastern Conference.

But considering there is plenty of evidence of what the Wizards look like with a team featuring Porzingis and the star guard Bradley Beal, the Wizards don’t pose as championship threats to the Sixers and the rest of the East and would more than likely need a notable shake-up to shift that narrative.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.