Wizards sign center to new two-year contract after he declines option

Richaun Holmes has reached a two-year contract agreement with the Wizards after turning down his $12.8M player option, according to the NBA.com transactions log. The news was first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic.

The new deal for the 30-year-old center is valued at $25.9M over two years, according to Charania, but it only carries a $250K guarantee on Holmes’ $13.3M salary for the 2025-26 season. Holmes will receive roughly the same amount of guaranteed money as if he had exercised his option.

Holmes was acquired at the February trade deadline in the deal that sent Daniel Gafford to Dallas. He appeared in 17 games for Washington, making eight starts and averaging 7.1 points and 6.1 rebounds in 18.7 minutes per night.

The veteran big man is in contention to be the Wizards’ starting center next season and may fill the role until first-round pick Alexandre Sarr is ready to take over. Holmes, a second-round selection by Philadelphia in 2015, he has been with five teams in nine-year NBA career.