Ellington will be a free agent this offseason, and the chance to pursue a championship ring was enticing. He wanted to join a team where a future role was a distinct possibility. He doesn’t view himself as a rental. He’s auditioning for a long-term commitment.
More on Wayne Ellington Free Agency
“That’s why I came here,” Ellington told the Free Press after Sunday’s victory over the Chicago Bulls. "It wasn’t a decision of, 'What do I want to do right now?' If that was the case, I would have just signed with Golden State and try to win a championship real fast. I wanted a team I could build with, a team I could be a part of, partner with and hopefully gain something heading into the summer. I didn’t just want to be a rental.”
Adrian Wojnarowski: Pistons committed $2.4M to guard Wayne Ellington for rest of season, the balance of their mid-level exception, league sources tell ESPN.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Pistons committed $2.4M to guard Wayne Ellington for rest of season, the balance of their mid-level exception, league sources tell ESPN.
Adrian Wojnarowski: After clearing waivers today, guard Wayne Ellington will officially sign with the Detroit Pistons, league sources tell ESPN.
Chris Haynes: Detroit Pistons plan to release forward Henry Ellenson to make room for Wayne Ellington when he clears waivers, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Guard Wayne Ellington is closing in on a commitment to sign with Detroit, league sources tell ESPN. He will be a free agent once he clears waivers.
Vincent Ellis: One quick note about Wayne Ellington, ICYMI from last night. Not much optimism #Pistons can get him because other teams have more money to offer.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Agent Mark Bartelstein is working with the Suns to waive guard Wayne Ellington and allow him to join a playoff contender, league sources tell ESPN. Ellington is arriving with Tyler Johnson from Miami in the trade for Ryan Anderson.
Kyle Neubeck: Wayne Ellington is a player the #Sixers would have interest in if/when he is bought out by Phoenix, I'm told. Philly native would help offset loss of Shamet by adding some bench shooting.
The Miami HEAT announced today that they have re-signed guard Wayne Ellington. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. “It’s great to have Wayne back,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “He is one of our leaders. We are very pleased that he made the choice to stay. It means a lot to us.”
Barry Jackson: Heat would need Ellington's permission to trade him next season, because he's on a one-year contract with impending full Bird rights next summer. But no, they don't want to trade him. Heat now has 12 players with guaranteed deals. Wade, Haslem still unsigned. Carmelo, too.
“I feel great here in Miami,” Ellington said. “I’ve built very strong relationships with a lot of people. These guys that I go to war with every night, we’ve gone from strangers to teammates to brothers. This is where I wanted to be.”
“I don’t think we showed everything we were capable of last season,” Ellington said. “Already this summer, guys have been working. Guys have improved. That’s what it’s about. You’ve got to get better from within, from inside your team. And naturally, I think we’ll continue to get better.”
Wayne Ellington agreed to re-sign with the Heat on Thursday evening, according to a league source. It’s a one-year deal for $6.27 million – on par with what he earned last season. Discussions with Ellington dragged on for nearly two weeks because of the Heat’s reluctance to go heavily into the luxury tax.
Miami now jumps into the luxury tax after the Wayne Ellington signing. The Heat now have a team salary of $127M and over the tax by $3.2M.
Barry Jackson: Per source, Wayne Ellington has agreed to a one year, 6.27 M deal with Heat
Chris Haynes: Free agent sharpshooter Wayne Ellington and Miami have reached an agreement on a deal, league sources tell ESPN.
Ellington would be among the simplest to sign, with Capela, Smart, Parker, LaVine, Nurkic, Harrell and Anderson all restricted free agents, with their teams having the right to match outside offers. That leaves Ellington, on that list, ranked as the leading unrestricted free agent.
Wayne Ellington’s potential return to the Heat remained very much in question on Sunday, with nine other teams expressing legitimate interest in the free agent guard and Miami and Ellington failing to strike a deal in the first 18 hours of free agency. A league source said Ellington’s return to Miami remains a possibility and conversations are ongoing. But it is by no means a sure thing. The Heat said publicly and privately in recent weeks that they want to keep Ellington and would like to find a way to make it work. Ellington has said he prefers to remain in Miami.
Darren Wolfson: The amount of ex-#Twolves the Wolves have called on increases with Wayne Ellington. In case I forget to text you, @1500ESPNJudd, this can be your heads-up. I'm losing track of all the guys they have called on! Time to start making offers!
Wayne Ellington’s potential return to the Heat remained very much in question on Sunday, with nine other teams expressing interest in the free agent guard and Miami and Ellington failing to strike a deal in the first 18 hours of free agency. A league source said Ellington’s return to Miami remains a possibility and conversations are ongoing. But it is by no means a sure thing.
The Heat called Ellington to express interest in re-signing him shortly after free agency began at midnight Saturday night. But Miami in the past day also has privately expressed concern about the luxury tax, and that has left Ellington’s return in question and Miami at risk of being outbid for his services.
With the start of NBA free agency looming on July 1, one thing has become clear: Wayne Ellington, an impending unrestricted free agent, and the Heat would like to find a way to keep him on the team next season, according to multiple people with direct knowledge.
His return is not certain because of the possibility another team could offer Ellington more than Miami is comfortable paying, especially with the Heat needing to eventually trim salary to keep Ellington and avoid paying a luxury tax.
Barry Jackson: Riley, on free agent Wayne Ellington: "You definitely are going to prioritize [keeping] him."
But after averaging a career-high 10.5 points and shattering his personal-best with 149 threes, Ellington hopes he’s found a home. “This is the place that I want to be,” Ellington said following a season in which the Heat rallied from an 11-30 start to finish at .500 and fall one game short of the playoffs. “This is the place that feels like home to me; that feels really good to me. I feel like the things that we accomplished on the court show that. So we’ll see what happens, man, but I have a good feeling.”
Though Wayne Ellington said he has “a good feeling” about the Heat guaranteeing his $6.3 million salary by the July 7 deadline, that decision won’t be made until the Heat sees what it can do in the first six days of free agency.
The Heat have a $6.3 million team option to bring Ellington back next season. When asked about his situation, Ellington smiled and said, “We’ll see what happens, man. But I have a good feeling.”
The Miami HEAT announced today the signings of free agents Wayne Ellington, James Johnson and Derrick Williams. Per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Free guard guard Wayne Ellington has agreed to a two-year, $12M-plus deal with the Miami Heat, league sources tell @The Vertical.
Eric Pincus: Both Wayne Ellington and Shane Larkin opted out of their respective final years with the Brooklyn Nets @BBallInsiders
Anthony Puccio: No word on Wayne Ellington (player option) and Jarrett Jack (team option). If he isn't traded tonight, he will be waived as Woj reported.
The other two player options are held by Thomas Robinson and Wayne Ellington. There have been reports that Thomas Robinson will also opt out of his $1 million deal while there's been no word on Wayne Ellington, who would be paid $1.6 million next season.
