Report: Wizards will part with Rashard Lewis, Andray Blatche before NBA Draft

The Washington Wizards will reportedly cut ties with Rashard Lewis, who will become the second highest paid player in the league next season (Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Washington Wizards will look to buy out small-forward Rashard Lewis for $13.7 million and amnesty power-forward Andray Blatche before July 1, according to Michael Lee of The Washington Post:

[A]ccording to multiple league sources, the team will look to move Lewis and Blatche prior to the draft before paying them not to play for the organization. Grunfeld intimated last month that Blatche could return.

At 19.9-percent, the Wizards have the second best chance of getting the number one pick in Wednesdays draft and will pick no lower than number five. The team will look to clear up cap space to sign Kentucky Wildcats center Anthony Davis, projected to be the number one pick, or another marquee player. The team already has $59 million dollars allotted for 10 players on the roster, not including whoever they select from this years draft.

Rashard Lewis had the second worst year of his career last season,  averaging 7.8 points and 3.7 rebounds, the lowest since his rookie year in 1998. He appeared in only 28 games last season because of injury yet with nearly $23 million owed to him next season, Lewis is set to become the second highest paid player in the league.