The Washington Wizards are on the verge of signing free-agent big man JJ Hickson to a minimum contract for the rest of the season, according to The Vertical's Shams Charania. The deal is expected to be finalized in the next couple of days.
Hickson, 27, was waived by the Denver Nuggets last Friday after they couldn't find a trade partner for him. He had been out of the rotation for most of the season.
Don't expect Hickson to become a big part of the Wizards' plans, either. They just needed another big man after trading Kris Humphries and DeJuan Blair for Markieff Morris last Thursday. With Washington's emphasis on spacing, Marcin Gortat and Nene take most of the minutes at center. Hickson will likely be underneath Drew Gooden on the depth chart, too.
In 20 games for Denver this season, Hickson averaged 6.9 points and 4.5 rebounds in 15.3 minutes.