Wizards pick Kevin Seraphin will join team soon

The second first round pick [17th overall] of the Washington Wizards, Kevin Seraphin, has just reached a buyout agreement with his French team, allowing him to join the Wiz in the next few days. Seraphin has been rehabbing a knee injury and was just recently cut from the French national basketball team. With Josh Howard last night agreeing to a 1-year deal for about $4 million and incentives bringing the roster up to 11 players, the imminent addition of Seraphin would have the Wiz at the familiar 12-player level. [Teams can keep 3 additional players on the injured list.]

The Wizards acquired the rights to Seraphin along with former Chicago Bulls combo guard Kirk Hinrich on draft night. [In return, the Bulls essentially received salary cap space to pursue free agents.] Seraphin is entitled to a 2-year deal worth about $2.7 million. The Wizards would hold a team option on Seraphin for two years after that.

Seraphin is trying to get his work visa so he can participate in rookie orientation from August 17-20. The wide-bodied Seraphin [6'9", 260 lbs] is expected to back up Andray Blatche at power forward.