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Washington Wizards to Keep President Ernie Grunfeld Under Contract

By Christopher Church

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 22: John Wall #2 and Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards talk on the floor in the first half against the Toronto Raptors during Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 22, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 22: John Wall #2 and Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards talk on the floor in the first half against the Toronto Raptors during Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 22, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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The Washington Wizards’ Ernie Grunfeld reportedly will stay put as the team president for one more season.

According to the Washington Post’s Candace Buckner, Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld will remain under contract for a final season.

Buckner also reports the Washington Wizards granted Grunfeld with a contract extension prior to the 2017-18 season. However, Wizards majority owner Ted Leonsis opted to decline on comments from Grunfeld’s extension, Buckner reports:

"When reached for comment, a spokesman for majority owner Ted Leonsis and his company Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which runs the Wizards, declined to address the terms of the deal. According to a person close to the situation, however, the Wizards offered the extension in the fall.More from The Baltimore WireWhat other Baltimore Orioles Offseason Storylines will you be interested in seeing?Baltimore Orioles to Face Numerous Playoff Contenders Down the StretchBaltimore Orioles Showing Encouraging Signs During Recent WinsThe Baltimore Orioles and the Expanded September RosterMaryland Football: Terps honor Jordan McNair, beat Longhorns 34-29"

The news comes after the Wizards suffered a late-season collapse to the Eastern Conference’s 8-seed before falling to the Toronto Raptors 4-2 in the 2018 NBA playoffs.

Grunfeld became the Wizards president on June 30, 2003, and ranks only behind San Antonio Spurs’ Gregg Popovich, Pat Riley of the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls’ John Paxson and Boston Celtics’ Danny Ainge as the longest-tenured NBA GMs/Presidents, per HoopsRumors.com.

In 16 seasons as the team president, the Wizards have eight playoff appearances but have failed to reach the East Finals.

The Wizards last draft pick came in 2015 when the Wizards selected Jerian Grant from the University of Notre Dame and Aaron White out of University of Iowa. Grant just wrapped up his second season with the Chicago Bulls, while White has yet to play an NBA minute.

Most noteworthy is the team’s payroll heading into the 2018-19 season of $124,797,665 with Otto Porter set to receive a team-high $26,011,913 next season. Not far behind Porter is Bradley Beal ready to earn $25,434,263 and five-time All-Star John Wall earning $19,169,800 next season.

Next: Wizards NBA 2K League Releases New Jersey and Court Designs

By 2020-21, the Wizards are projected to have the NBA’s highest salary of $98,065,014, per Basketball-Reference.com. Well behind the Wizards at No. 2 are the Portland Trail Blazers’s salary of $74,810,921.

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