Washington Wizards: Can Recently Signed Toure’ Murry Or Ish smith Make 15-Man Roster?
The Washington Wizards recently have been rumored to be interested in adding a few more players prior to training camp and officially did so on Wednesday, inking Toure’ Murry and Ish Smith to non-guaranteed contracts, according to Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders.
The Washington Wizards have signed Ish Smith and Toure' Murry to non-guaranteed minimum summer contracts @BBallInsiders
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) September 9, 2015
Murry had been linked to the Wizards, as J.Michael of CSNMid-Atlantic first reported the team’s interest on August 28. The 25-year old started last season with the Utah Jazz, but appeared in just one game prior to getting released by the team in January. He then signed two 10-day contracts with Washington in March before having his season ended due to injury.
Overall, Murry appeared in five NBA games last year. He totaled six points — on 2-of-5 shooting — one rebounds, one assist, one steal, and four turnover in 18 minutes.
Murry, who had a workout with the Los Angeles Lakers this summer, was on the Wizards summer league squad, but was limited to a few minutes in Las Vegas because of a groin injury.
Smith, who Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post says is among the fastest players in the NBA, has had a tough time finding a permanent home in the league. The 27-year old point guard has played for eight teams over the past five years. He started last season with the Oklahoma City Thunder before ending the season with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Smith appeared in 55 games last year, averaging 6.3 points and 3.3 assists. He has also played for Phoenix, Orlando, Milwaukee, Golden State, Memphis, and Houston.
Smith and Murry will likely have a tough time making the teams 15-man regular season roster as the Wizards currently have 15 players with guaranteed contracts. Washington is also set at point guard with John Wall, Ramon Session, and Garrett Temple. Session is slated to backup Wall, while Temple will see limited playing time as the third stringer. Bradley Beal can also handle the point in an emergency situation.
ESPN is reporting that the only player with a fully guaranteed contract that is on the “bubble” to make the team would be oft-injured Martell Webster. Webster is signed through 2016-17, but he has been hampered recently by back issues.
However, Sessions and Temple are in there last year of their contracts. Sessions is scheduled to $2.1 million and Temple will earn $1.1 million. Earlier this summer, Temple had been rumored to draw interest from Utah after Dante Exum suffered his season ending injury. It is conceivable that if Temple is dealt and/or either Smith or Murry have a fantastic training camp they could take over a roster spot.
As it stands now, Washington will have 18 players in training camp as they undrafted 7-foot rookie center Jaleel Roberts has also reportedly accepted an invite. Roberts played at UNC-Asheville.
