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Garrett Temple opting in with Wizards

Atlanta Hawks v Washington Wizards - Game Four

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 11: Garrett Temple #17 of the Washington Wizards takes a shot against the Atlanta Hawks in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at the Verizon Center on May 11, 2015 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE/Getty Images

The Wizards have a star starting point guard in John Wall and a strong backup in Ramon Sessions.

They’ll have even more depth in Garrett Temple.

J. Michael of CSN Washington:

Backup guard Garrett Temple will return for the 2015-16 season, he told CSNwashington.com on Tuesday via text message, and has notified the Wizards that he is exercising his opt-in clause in his contract.

Temple will make the NBA minimum of $1,100,602 next season. That’s probably what he would have gotten on the open market. There’s a slight chance he could have earned more, but the risk of falling out of the league entirely and facing a steep pay reduction was too great.

Because the 6-foot-6 Temple can play both backcourt positions, it wouldn’t be surprising for him to crack the Wizards’ rotation next season. That’s more a flaw in their depth than faith in Temple, but in this situation, there’s at least some benefit for keeping Temple.

Whether or not Temple opted in, Washington will probably have just the mid-level exception to pursue free agents.