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Friday, August 3, 2001
Haywood gets three-year contract
ESPN.com news services
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WASHINGTON -- Center Brendan Haywood, who has been
traded twice since draft day, signed a three-year contract worth
nearly $2.6 million with the Washington Wizards on Friday.
The Wizards did not disclose financial terms, but under the
rookie salary scale, Haywood is eligible to receive no less than
$2.585 million. The team holds an option for a fourth year.
The 7-foot Haywood attended North Carolina, the same school as
Wizards president Michael Jordan. Haywood was selected 20th
overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers, who dealt him hours later to
the Orlando Magic for center Michael Doleac.
The Magic have spent the offseason reinforcing their frontcourt,
signing free agents Patrick Ewing and Horace Grant while
re-signing centers Andrew DeClercq and Don Reid.
That left little room for the 270-pound Haywood, who was traded
Wednesday to Washington for guard Laron Profit and a future first-round
pick.
Haywood made tremendous strides from his freshman through senior
seasons, averaging 12.3 points and 7.3 rebounds in his final
year in Chapel Hill. Having grown into his body, Haywood also
has the experience gained from playing in a pair of Final Fours.
The Wizards have been extremely active in the offseason. Coming
off a franchise-worst 19-63 campaign, they have hired Doug
Collins as coach, drafted high schooler Kwame Brown with the top
overall pick, waived veteran guard Mitch Richmond and signed
free agent guard Tyronn Lue.
Washington also re-signed forwards Christian Laettner and
Popeye Jones.
"We are excited to bulk up our front line," Jordan said of Haywood earlier in the week. "Brendan brings height and shot blocking ability to the Wizards.
His defensive presence will also be felt when he is on the
floor."
The 7-foot Haywood spent four seasons at North Carolina,
averaging 10 points, six rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 141 career
games.
"We still believe he's going to be a nice player in this
league," Magic general manager John Gabriel said. "But with our
success in the free-agent market, both in signing back our players
and acquiring free agents, there's kind of a logjam."
The 6-foot-4 Profit appeared in 35 games for the Wizards last
year, averaging 4.3 points and 2.5 assists. He started the season's
final 12 games, averaging 9.7 points, 5.8 assists and 3.9 rebounds
during that span.
The Magic can take Washington's draft pick beginning in 2004,
but the Wizards can keep the pick if it is among the first 20. The
next season, it is protected through No. 13, and in 2006 it is
protected only through the first three spots. If Orlando waits
until 2007, the pick would be unconditional.
Orlando now has eight potential first-round draft selections
during the next four years. The Magic have their own first-round
pick for the next four drafts, and is also owed first-round picks
from Phoenix, Sacramento and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
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