The Washington Wizards continue to embrace a much needed and long awaited rebuilding process.
Following an 11-48 start to the season, the Wizards don't have much to play for this season besides focusing on the development of the teams young core and ensuring that they are collecting the right pieces that can help them return to contention sooner rather than later.
With young talent like Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington and Kyshawn George locked in for the future, general manager Will Dawkins continues to look for player to keep around long-term that fit well alongside the team's core.
In turn, Dawkins made it a key point to extend an underrated Wizards player that has impressed up to this point of the season.
Wizards extend Justin Champagnie
The Wizards wasted no time locking down Justin Champagnie for the future after the versatile forward has continously showed flashes throughout the season of being a more than reliable key piece for Washington and head coach Brian Keefe to depend on.
The Washington Wizards and two-way forward Justin Champagnie are finalizing a new four-year, $10 million deal, agent Daniel Hazan of Hazan Sports told ESPN. Wizards will pay Champagnie $1.8M for final 6 weeks. In his fourth season, the 23-year-old is having career year. pic.twitter.com/zG6n6IA7tU
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 2, 2025
Champagnie went undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft before signing a two-way deal with the Toronto Raptors. Since his time in Toronto ended, the guard has made stops in the G-League and with the Boston Celtics before essentially finding his way to the Washington Wizards towards the end of last season.
The Pitt product is averaging 7.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 0.9 assist on the season, while shooting 50.4% from field goal range and 37.6% from three.
The versatile forward has mostly served as a key bench contributor for the Wizards so far this season in his 40 games played, but when his number has been called to step into the starting lineup, Champagnie has been more than ready for the moment.
In 15 games as a starter this season, the 23-year-old is averaging 11.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals showcasing his ability to impact the game on both sides of the court.
Although Champagnie likely won't develop into a superstar for the Wizards, he's done enough to convince both Brian Keefe and Will Dawkins that he has what it takes to contribute for the team throughout their rebuild.
And not only could he be a key contributor for the Wizards, but this deal also ensures other teams can't poach the young talent form Washington without making a deal to trade for him over the next four years.
The Wizards young core seems to be staying intact for the long haul.