The Washington Wizards could look at JR Smith, Wayne Ellington or Amar'e Stoudemire as free agent options this summer, as the team is looking to keep costs down after signing Gary Neal and Alan Anderson to help replace Paul Pierce after he signed with the Clippers and this comes as the Cleveland Cavaliers may push to bring back Smith next season.
The Wizards have one eye on 2016 with Kevin Durant hitting the market, but the team cannot afford to have a down season after going to the playoffs the past two years. Durant will likely consider a return to Washington, but the team needs to continue making progress to be a true destination for him. The Wizards lost Pierce to the Clippers, but according to NBA.com's David Aldridge they have made another move, agreeing to a one-year deal with Alan Anderson.
The team previously agreed with Gary Neal and they are reportedly acquiring Jared Dudley in a trade and now Anderson could be a strong bench option for John Wall and Bradley Beal on the roster. The team also reportedly could look at JR Smith this offseason, as Brian Windhorst reports that the Cavaliers are interested in bringing back Smith, but that Washington, Boston and Toronto have shown interest. The Wizards are trying to give out short term deals and not big money, so if Smith asks for too much he likely will be out of the mix.
The Wizards lost Pierce in free agency to the Clippers and adding players like Neal, Dudley and Anderson could help make up for some of his lost production. Smith would help that as well and he could give the team some outside shooting on the wing, which is something that faltered in the playoffs this year. Last season Smith averaged 12 points and three rebounds per game for the Knicks and Cavaliers and he shot over 41 percent from the field and 38 percent from three point range.
Last season Anderson averaged seven points and nearly three rebounds for the Nets and he reportedly is signing a one-year, $4 million contract. Pro Basketball Talk writes that the Anderson deal plays into what Washington is doing to try and get Kevin Durant next summer, as it will free up cap space after the season. The Wizards do not have many players signed beyond next summer and many in the media have speculated that the team will push hard to try and convince Kevin Durant to leave Oklahoma City.
The Wizards signed Neal and added Dudley in a trade and the young core of the team will have another season to develop before the franchise goes hard after Durant. Anderson is a solid defensive player and he also is a consistent three point shooter. Smith could be a solid sixth man option for the Wizards, as the team needs more production from the bench.
Neal is a solid player, but he is not a main scorer and Smith can provide that from long range and can help the team manage minutes with Wall and Beal. Last season Paul Pierce took the most threes for the Wizards, according to ESPN stats and that could make Smith a good fit in Washington if he makes up that production.
