Wizards Hand Out Surprising Long-Term Contract To Breakout Forward

He was undrafted out of Pitt, and now, at the age of 23, on a two-way contract, forward Justin Champagnie has finally found his niche in the NBA. On the strength of a career year, he has landed a four-year contract from the Washington Wizards, for $10 million.

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

The contract will pay Champagnie $1.8M guaranteed for the rest of this season, followed by three non-guaranteed seasons.

Champagnie is playing a career high 18.3 minutes in 40 games with the Wizards . He's averaged 7.5 points and 4.6 rebounds, while shooting 37.6% from three-point land. In his 15 starts, his numbers are even more impressive, as he's averaging 11.6 points and 7.5 rebounds.

The small forward's Wizards teammates were thrilled for him, and posted their exclamations on social media.

Wizards players react to Justin Champagnie’s contract extension: pic.twitter.com/k94CiX2eyd
— Greg Finberg (@GregFinberg) March 2, 2025

Champagnie began his Washington stint on a 10-day contract a year ago, and has remained part of the team ever since.

He has also has played for the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics over the course of his four-year career.

He spent two college years at Pitt, where he averaged 14.7 points and 8.5 rebounds, but went undrafted in 2021. The Raptors signed him and he showed out with a tremendous year with their G League team, averaging over 21 points and 8 rebounds while shooting threes at a 40% clip. That got him a 36-game trial with the Raps, but he only got into 7.8 minutes per contest.

Washington has given him much more of a shot to prove his worth, and he's rewarded them with some fine play in a complementary role.