NBA Rumors: Washington Wizards Should Take a Flyer on Martell Webster

The Washington Wizards have open roster spots, a need for outside shooting and some room under the cap. They aren't going to do any better at this point in free agency than adding Martell Webster. 

Webster is a seven-year NBA veteran, but he is still just 25. He has been injured extensively, which makes further injury issues a more likely reality than a healthy one. 

However, he is a strong shooter, full of potential, available and reportedly there is a measure of mutual interest between he and the Wizards. 

ESPN's Marc Stein tweeted: 

"

Hearing that Martell Webster auditioned this week for Wizards and that Wiz are on short list of teams sharpshooter is likely to sign with

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) August 22, 2012"

The 6'7" Webster shot 33.9 percent from beyond the arc in 24.3 minutes averaged over 47 games last season for the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

That shooting percentage isn't going to get anyone excited, but he is a 37.4 percent three-point shooter for his career, and two seasons ago he drilled 41.7 percent of his threes. 

Webster has not lived up to expectations as his 8.4 points per game career scoring average cannot be what the Portland Trail Blazers had in mind for him when they took him with the sixth pick in the 2008 draft. 

In his defense, his career has been derailed by injuries. At 10.7 points per game, Webster hit is career-high mark in the 2007-08 season. 

The following season, Webster played just one game due to a foot injury. He enjoyed good health and played in 82 games the following season, but back issues have caused him to miss 55 games over the last two seasons. 

Those injuries are serious red flags, but Webster would be a nice shooter to bring off the bench when he's healthy, and as long as the contract is not long-term or pricey, which it shouldn't need to be at this point, this is a low-risk move for the Wizards with a healthy upside.