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Washington Wizards Free Agency 2015: Signings Show Wizards Committed To Change

By Ben Mehic

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The Washington Wizards are going to be a different team next year. After having success playing a modern brand of basketball during the NBA Playoffs, Randy Wittman and Co. are finally embracing the ever-changing game.

Last year, the Wizards seemed intent on signing every big man on the market. They re-signed Drew Gooden and Kevin Seraphin. They also acquired Kris Humphries and DeJuan Blair via trade after opting to let Trevor Booker walk during free agency.

While other teams were collecting versatile players, Washington wanted to add depth to their front court. Ernie Grunfeld wanted to find a couple of players that were capable of filling in for the oft-injured Nene. Humphries became the team’s primary backup forward, while Seraphin remained the backup center.

That consistent rotation frustrated the fan-base, including myself.

Teams that played small outran and outscored the Wizards.

Even though Washington was picking up wins against teams they were supposed to, they struggled against the Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors and others that played small. Wittman’s archaic offense hindered John Wall and Bradley Beal. Paul Pierce played the traditional small-forward role, and while pundits considered the Wizards a fast team, they weren’t.

Fast-forward to the NBA Playoffs, and Playoff Wittman emerged.

Wittman was reluctant to play Trevor Ariza at the four spot against the Indiana Pacers in the semi-finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs, despite his assistants suggesting the change. However, against the Toronto Raptors this year, Wittman opted to utilize his players to their abilities.

With Otto Porter at the three and Pierce at the four, Washington’s offense thrived. Wall and Beal had room to create for themselves and their teammates. The paint was open for Marcin Gortat, allowing him to connect with Wall on pick-and-roll plays. Nene took a back-seat, but the Wizards looked like the top team in the Eastern Conference.

Unfortunately, their chances of advancing past the semi-finals was cut short after John Wall broke his wrist.

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Still, even with the disappointing exit against the Hawks, it was a relief to see Wittman and the rest of the team adapt to the changing game when it mattered most.

Wittman is undoubtedly one of the most stubborn coaches in the league, so when it came time to add players in the summer, many wondered if Washington would revert back to his old style.

Luckily, that’s not what happened.

Washington’s roster change started with the NBA Draft, where the Wizards decided to move up in order to grab one of the most versatile players in the class — Kelly Oubre Jr. The 19-year-old swingman isn’t expected to contribute right away, but he has the tools and upside to become a two-way player at the next level.

Instead of settling for a player like Bobby Portis, who many thought the Washington Wizards would end up with, Grunfeld wanted to add versatility. He got that with Oubre, which set the trend for the rest of Washington’s moves going forward.

A few weeks later, the Wizards added Jared Dudley, Gary Neal and Alan Anderson through trades and free agency. They still have a hole to fill in the front court, but their most recent moves signals that Washington is committed to change.

Dudley played the power forward position for the Milwaukee Bucks this past season and will fill the role of the stretch four. Wittman will be able to change his lineups according to match ups, unlike last year. He’ll no longer be forced to play two big men together. Wall, Beal, Porter, Dudley and Gortat will get plenty of playing time together going forward.

When they play a team like, say, the Memphis Grizzlies, Wittman will still be able to play big with a lineup consisting of Wall, Beal, Dudley, Nene and Gortat.

The two shooters — Neal and Anderson — will also provide versatility.

Against teams that play three guards, Washington will be able to play Wall, Beal, Neal/Anderson together. Ramon Sessions played the backup shooting guard position at times this past season, but now Neal will fill that role. Against two point guards, Washington will still be able to play Wall and Sessions together.

Their roster isn’t perfect and we still don’t know how it will mesh, but the Washington Wizards are clearly trying to become more versatile.

They should’ve made these moves a season ago, but it’s better late than never. With Pierce gone, the Wizards don’t look as good as they were last season on paper. To those who’ve watched them play, though, it’s clear that they addressed a number of issues by making these non-flashy, yet important moves.

Next: Free Agency: Who's Left For The Wizards In The Frontcourt?

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