Wizards Decline Jamir Watkins’ Team Option, But Door Remains Open for a Return

The Washington Wizards made one of their more surprising offseason decisions Monday, declining the 2026-27 team option on forward Jamir Watkins. While the move initially appeared to signal the end of Watkins’ time in Washington, the organization simultaneously extended him a qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent and keeping control over his NBA future.

For a rebuilding franchise that has emphasized patience and player development, the decision is less about moving on from Watkins and more about maintaining roster and salary-cap flexibility heading into free agency.

A surprising move after a promising rookie season

Watkins, the 43rd overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, exceeded expectations during his first professional season.

After beginning the year on a two-way contract, the former Florida State standout earned a standard NBA deal in February thanks to his consistent improvement and defensive intensity. Washington rewarded his play by converting him to the 15-man roster, believing he had become part of the team’s young foundation.

Over 50 NBA games, Watkins averaged:

• 7.4 points per game
• 3.9 rebounds
• 1.3 assists
• 1.1 steals
• 44.6 percent shooting from the field

His best performance came during the regular-season finale against Cleveland, when Watkins scored a career-high 24 points and showed the two-way potential that made him an intriguing second-round selection.

Why decline the option?

At first glance, declining a young player’s inexpensive $2.15 million option seems counterproductive.

Instead, this appears to be a calculated front-office move.

Because the Wizards tendered Watkins a qualifying offer, he now enters restricted free agency. Washington retains matching rights if another team signs him to an offer sheet while giving itself additional flexibility to negotiate a new contract structure.

General manager Will Dawkins has used similar roster strategies before. Earlier this year, Washington declined a contract option involving Tristan Vukcevic before ultimately bringing him back under a different agreement.

The organization appears comfortable using the collective bargaining agreement to maximize flexibility rather than automatically exercising every inexpensive option.

Roster flexibility matters

Washington’s rebuild has entered another important stage.

Following another active draft and several offseason additions, the Wizards are carefully managing every roster spot and every dollar available under the salary cap.

Reports indicate Washington currently sits at 14 standard NBA contracts, leaving room for additional free-agent moves while still maintaining Watkins’ restricted free-agent rights.

That flexibility could become especially important if additional trades or veteran buyouts occur during free agency.

Rather than locking themselves into Watkins’ option immediately, the Wizards now have multiple avenues available.

Watkins still fits the rebuild

Despite inconsistent offensive production at times, Watkins showed several traits that fit exactly what Washington has been searching for.

The 6-foot-6 wing brings:

• Defensive versatility.
• High motor and energy.
• Strong rebounding for his position.
• Ability to defend multiple positions.
• Transition scoring.

His perimeter shooting remains a work in progress, but those are often the types of skills that improve with NBA development.

Watkins also displayed maturity throughout his rookie season, earning increased minutes through effort rather than draft pedigree.

That is exactly the type of player rebuilding teams often keep around.

College journey prepared him for the NBA

Watkins arrived in the NBA after an impressive collegiate career.

He spent three seasons at VCU before transferring to Florida State, where he emerged as one of the ACC’s better two-way forwards.

His combination of size, athleticism and defensive ability helped make him a second-round draft target despite entering the league as an older rookie.

Washington acquired him with the 43rd overall selection and quickly identified him as someone worth developing.

What happens next?

Restricted free agency gives Washington several options.

The Wizards can:

• Negotiate a new long-term contract.
• Match any outside offer sheet.
• Bring Watkins back on a different salary structure.
• Allow another team to sign him if the market exceeds their valuation.

Considering the organization’s investment in his development over the past season, bringing Watkins back still appears to be the most likely outcome.

Unless another franchise aggressively pursues him, Washington remains in the driver’s seat.

MSB Analysis

This should not be viewed as the Wizards giving up on Jamir Watkins.

Instead, it is another example of a rebuilding franchise maximizing every available roster mechanism under the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement.

Watkins proved he belongs in the NBA during his rookie campaign. He developed from a two-way player into a regular rotation contributor, defended at a high level and finished the season playing some of his best basketball.

Whether he returns on the qualifying offer or a newly negotiated contract, Washington still controls the process.

For now, Wizards fans shouldn’t panic.

This move is about flexibility—not frustration—and there’s still a very good chance Jamir Watkins will be wearing a Washington uniform when training camp opens this fall.