Wizards to head into season opener with 15 players

When the Wizards submit their final roster to the league by 5 p.m. on Monday, Cartier Martin, Hamady Ndiaye and Lester Hudson will be among the names on it. The Wizards had intended on going into the season opener against Orlando with 13 or 14 players, but elected to go with the maximum 15, especially with Josh Howard still a few weeks away.

Martin, Ndiaye and Hudson were all relieved to make it, but understand that their contracts are still not fully guaranteed until early January -- and anything can happen until then.

"I feel a little better," Hudson said, "but I'm trying to get better, helping the team out. Can't control what's going on. Got to play as hard as you can, work as hard as you can."

Ndiaye said he felt the decision affirmed his decision to head to Wizards training camp, and risk getting cut, over pushing for an opportunity to play overseas. After practice, Ndiaye was in a rush to catch up with Trevor Booker and Kevin Seraphin. He said being around his teammates was one of the main reasons he took the risk.

"When I say I'm doing something, I'm focused on doing it," he said. "Like I don't have no other options in my head. I give it whatever I've got."