The Washington Wizards removed $23 million off their salary cap Tuesday, waiving forward Andray Blache under the NBA’s amnesty clause. Bltache, 25, averaged 9.9 points and 5.4 rebounds over seven seasons with the Wizards. A second round draft pick in 2005, Blatche has been much-maligned in the D.C. media for on- and off-court transgressions over the course of his career with the Wizards.
Blatche’s history of transgressions is as well-documented as it is entertaining in its own knuckleheaded way. Once heralded as one of the Wizards building blocks by owner Ted Leonsis, Blatche now finds himself as a free agent able to seek employment elsewhere. Former teammates JaVale McGee and Nick Young, players that also had their share of foibles, have seen their stock rise after departing D.C.
Blatche entered last season as one of the team’s revolving captains, prompting his now infamous pre-game speech on opening night, but the big forward played in just 26 games, averaging 8.5 points. He fought through a calf injury before being sent home from the team for lack of conditioning.
