Washington Wizards Free Agency Rumors 2016: Ryan Anderson Interested In Washington
By Ben Mehic
Free agent forward Ryan Anderson recently expressed interest in potentially signing with the Washington Wizards this summer
This past season, the Washington Wizards wanted to increase their pace and space, but didn’t have the personnel to correctly do it.
Instead of acquiring players that fit the modern system, Ernie Grunfeld re-signed veteran players and added three players via free agency – all of whom were dealing with some sort of injury.
In order to implement that style of play, having the correct players for the system is obviously necessary. The likes of Nene, Kris Humphries, Drew Gooden and DeJuan Blair were simply taking up roster spots and the Wizards quickly lost their identity.
Now, Grunfeld has a chance to actually acquire players via free agency that fit the system. He will get another do-over, per usual.
Prior to the season even ending, Grunfeld tried to fix his mistakes by adding pieces that fit the system.
He traded for Markieff Morris – a prototypical stretch four who’s capable of defending, moving the ball and hitting the outside shot. He also added J.J. Hickson to the roster, giving the team an athletic big man that can keep up with the young guards in transition.
This summer, Grunfeld is going to continue adding pieces to the roster. Washington currently has five players under contract, with Bradley Beal entering restricted free agency.
While the Wizards did only finish with a .500 record and missed the playoffs, the nation’s capital should remain a solid destination for free agents.
John Wall has become a premier All-Star point guard and the addition of Scott Brooks is certainly intriguing. Of course, Bradley Beal, Otto Porter and the developing Kelly Oubre are players that free agents will look at as potential teammates for the long-term too.
The Wizards are going to have enough cap room this summer to retain Beal, who will likely get a max deal, and sign another max-level free agent.
The team is targeting Kevin Durant, but if they miss on the hometown hero, they will be left with the following options: gamble on another big-time free agent or fill out the roster with added depth.
If the Wizards choose the latter, they could add multiple very solid rotation players to their roster.
Ryan Anderson is going to be an unrestricted free agent this summer and would fit in well.
In a recent podcast with J.J. Redick, Anderson spoke about several teams he would be interested in joining, including the Washington Wizards:
"I don’t want to count any option out. Returning to New Orleans, going somewhere else. For me, I want to play all the cards, I want to enjoy this process, and see where New Orleans is at this summer. I want to see where, I don’t know, Houston is at, or Sacramento, or Washington. So for me, I’m not going to say “Listen, I want a trade.” when I don’t know what’s going to happen this summer."
Anderson, who averaged 17 points for the Pelicans this past season, is exactly the type of player who would thrive next to Wall and Co. Anderson made roughly 37 percent of his 3-point attempts for a team that didn’t necessarily have adequate spacing nor guard play.
Jared Dudley had the best shooting season of his career next to Wall and one could assume Anderson would increase his production as well.
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Anderson is one of those players who will probably never make an All-Star team, but can have that type of impact on a nightly basis if he’s put into the right situation.
Washington spoke to the Pelicans about acquiring Anderson at the NBA Trade Deadline, but wanted more security, so they traded for Morris, who has three years left under his current contract.
Since the salary cap is rising, Anderson will likely get a significant raise. One executive believes Anderson will get a max contract this summer.
The Wizards addressed their need for a big man who can space the floor after they acquired Morris. That’s why I don’t believe they will pursue Anderson this off-season. If they didn’t acquire Morris, then they would likely have Anderson high on their wish list.
Plus, I don’t think the Washington Wizards would want to pay Anderson the max over the next four years. The market will set his value and it will likely be very high, but the Wizards will get that production elsewhere.
Next: Wizards Lose Pick, But Morris Trade Worth It
Even if Anderson doesn’t end up in Washington – and he likely won’t – it’s nice to see a top free agent actually express interest in joining the team. It will definitely be a fun-filled summer.