NBA Rumors: Washington Wizards Keeping Rashard Lewis Despite New Amnesty Rules, Report Says

Read More: Rashard Lewis (F - WAS), Washington Wizards

So much for the new amnesty clause rules affecting things for the Washington Wizards. The team still plans on holding on to Rashard Lewis, according to a report by Michael Lee of the Washington Post.

Lewis is currently owed $22 million this year and $23 million on a partially-guaranteed contract in 2012-13, so the Wizards could save lots of money and not worry about being under the salary floor if they were to use the clause on him. However, according to Lee, they value Lewis as a player and want to keep him:

Cutting Lewis would’ve placed the Wizards well below the projected salary floor of $49 million and forced the team to use the savings to sign players from what is considered a weak free agent class. But the Wizards weren’t holding on to Lewis strictly for financial purposes. Lewis, 31, is healthier after recovering from tendinitis in his right knee for much of last season and still just two years removed from his all-star prime.

With a young team, the Wizards are hoping Lewis' professionalism rubs of on the team.

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