Washington Wizards Blog – Page 28 – NBA Blog

John Wall to participate in Team USA mini-camp

Here’s the Washington Post reporting on Wizards star point guard John Wall, who is entering the Team USA mix that is briefly gathering this summer in preparation for next summer’s competition:

John Wall has decided to participate in Team USA’s upcoming minicamp in Las Vegas, the Washington Wizards point guard confirmed Tuesday evening.

Wall, one of 41 invitees, was unsure whether he would join the three-day camp, scheduled for Aug. 11-13, after receiving a late invitation for last year’s training camp in preparation for the FIBA World Cup and being one of first three players cut along with teammate Bradley Beal and Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap. Beal confirmed he is also participating in the minicamp over the weekend. The camp will be held on UNLV’s campus and will conclude with a scrimmage on Aug. 13.

Jared Dudley out after herniated disc surgery

The Washington Wizards announced that forward Jared Dudley had successful surgery today to repair a herniated disc in his lower back. He will begin the rehab process immediately and is expected to return in approximately three to four months.

“During our discussions with Jared and his agent, Mark Bartelstein, we were made aware that he played with pain for a significant part of last season due to this injury,” said Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld. “After jointly consulting with our team doctors and several specialists, we collectively determined that this proactive approach was the best course of action to have him ready for the upcoming season and to prevent the risk of further injury.”

The procedure was performed by Dr. Drew Dossett in Dallas, TX. Dudley missed four games last season due to a sore lower back in addition to playing through pain caused by the injury.

“Although I’m disappointed that I won’t be on the floor with my new teammates for the start of training camp, I’m confident that having this surgery now will allow me to perform at my best and contribute throughout the season,” said Dudley. “I appreciate the patience and support of the organization and I can assure my teammates and the fans that I will work extremely hard to be on the floor as soon as possible.”

The Wizards acquired Dudley from Milwaukee in exchange for a protected future second round pick on July 9. He averaged 7.2 points and 3.1 rebounds with the Bucks last season, shooting .468 from the field and .385 from three-point range in 72 games (including 22 starts) and hit .571 (8-14) from three-point range over six games in Milwaukee’s first round series with Chicago during the 2015 NBA Playoffs.

Wizards re-sign Drew Gooden

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has re-signed forward Drew Gooden.

“Drew has been an important part of our success the last two years and we are pleased to welcome him back,” said Grunfeld. “His skills, leadership and outside shooting will continue to add value to our front court rotation.”

Gooden appeared in 51 games (seven starts) for Washington last season. The 6-10 forward averaged 5.4 points and 4.4 rebounds while shooting .390 from three-point range in 16.6 minutes per game. The 13-year veteran tallied 13 games of 10+ points, scored a season-high 18 points at Miami on 10/29 and recorded two double-doubles. He had five games with at least 10 rebounds and pulled down a season-high 17 caroms vs. Charlotte on 3/27. The former Kansas Jayhawk averaged 9.7 points and 7.1 rebounds in his seven starts for the Wizards this season.

In 10 playoff appearances last season, Gooden averaged 6.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and in 17.8 minutes per game. He originally signed a 10-day contract with the Wizards on February 26, 2014 and then signed a second 10-day on March 8 before signing for the remainder of the season on March 18.

Wizards sign Alan Anderson

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed forward Alan Anderson.

According to the Associated Press, it is a $4 million, one-year contract.

“Alan has an all-around game that complements the other players on our roster and gives us another veteran at the small forward position,” said Grunfeld. “His energy, hustle and defensive ability have defined his career and we’re looking forward to him bringing those skills to our team.”

Anderson (6-6, 220) holds career averages of 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists while shooting .346 from three-point range. He has appeared in 287 career games, including 66 starts, over six seasons with Charlotte, Toronto and Brooklyn. In 74 games (19 starts) with Brooklyn last season, the Michigan State product averaged 7.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists while shooting .443 from the field and .348 from downtown. In Brooklyn’s first round series against Atlanta in the 2015 NBA Playoffs, Anderson averaged 11.1 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting .610 from the floor and .625 from behind the arc.

After going undrafted in 2005, the Minnesota native was signed as a free agent by Charlotte and played with the Bobcats in parts of two seasons before playing overseas in Italy, Russia, Croatia, Israel, Spain and China. He returned to the NBA in 2011 when he signed with Toronto, and averaged 10.4 points and 2.2 rebounds over two seasons with the Raptors. He signed as a free agent with the Nets prior to the 2013-14 campaign.

Bucks trade Jared Dudley to Wizards

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced yesterday that the team has acquired forward Jared Dudley from Milwaukee in exchange for a protected future second round pick.

“Jared’s versatility and shooting ability will give us depth at both forward positions and allow us to use him in a variety of lineups,” said Grunfeld. “We are also looking forward to the leadership and veteran presence that he will bring both on the court.”

Dudley (6-7, 225) holds career averages of 8.5 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting .468 from the field and .396 from three-point range over eight-plus seasons with Charlotte, Phoenix, the Los Angeles Clippers, and Milwaukee. He has appeared in 595 career games while earning 212 starts. The 22nd overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft averaged 7.2 points and 3.1 rebounds with the Bucks last season.

During the 2014-15 campaign, Dudley shot .468 from the field and .385 from downtown in 72 games, including 22 starts, and hit .571 (8-14) from three-point range over six games in Milwaukee’s first round series with Chicago during the 2015 NBA Playoffs. His best season came in 2011-12 when he averaged 12.7 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting a career-high .485 from the floor in 65 games with Phoenix. Dudley was teammates with current Wizards center Marcin Gortat for two-plus seasons in Phoenix. In 29 career playoff games, he has averaged 5.9 points and 2.7 rebounds while shooting .449 from the floor and .456 from three-point range.

Wizards sign guard Gary Neal

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed guard Gary Neal.

“Gary is a proven veteran who will bring us perimeter shooting and experience,” said Grunfeld. “Adding him to our rotation makes our backcourt rotation deeper and more versatile.”

Neal (6-4, 210) holds career averages of 9.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting .381 from three-point range over 310 career games (including 29 starts), with San Antonio, Milwaukee, Charlotte and Minnesota. In 54 games with the Hornets and Timberwolves last season, he averaged 10.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting .305 from downtown. After being traded to Minnesota, Neal averaged 11.8 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting .355 from long distance. The Baltimore native has shot .355 or better from three-point range in four of his five NBA seasons.

After going undrafted out of Towson, Neal played internationally in Spain, Italy and Turkey before making his NBA debut with San Antonio in 2010. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2011 after averaging 9.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists while shooting .419 from three-point range in 80 games with the Spurs. In 45 career playoff games with San Antonio and Charlotte, he has averaged 7.5 points and 2.0 rebounds while shooting .345 from behind the arc. During San Antonio’s 2013 NBA Finals run, Neal averaged 6.8 points and 2.1 rebounds while shooting .348 from downtown in 21 games.

Clippers, Paul Pierce agree to deal

Now this is the kind of signing that is worth paying attention to. A move where a really good team that has a realistic eye on the NBA championship adds a key veteran who could mean the difference in a tightly-contested playoff battle against another really good team. Paul Pierce to the Clippers. Here’s the Los Angeles Times reporting:

The Clippers gained a giant lure in their pursuit of DeAndre Jordan on Wednesday, agreeing to terms with Paul Pierce on a three-year, $10.5-million contract that will reunite the veteran small forward with Coach Doc Rivers.

Pierce and Rivers won an NBA title together with the Boston Celtics in 2008 and will almost surely try to pitch Jordan on their collective potential with the Clippers, who will get the last word in the bidding for the free-agent center Thursday.

The Clippers will sign the former Inglewood High star with their so-called mini-midlevel exception, their primary financial tool in free agency, and will likely slot him into the starting small forward spot vacated by Matt Barnes, who was traded last month.

Pierce, who turns 38 in October, is a 10-time All-Star who gives the Clippers some championship experience in their starting lineup and a clutch presence who hit a game-winning shot in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season for the Washington Wizards.

I support pretty much any free agent move that shakes things up in an interesting way. This gives us one more thing to look forward to next season.

Paul Pierce to enter free agency

It’s very possible that Paul Pierce is gone from DC

Free agent negotiations begin Wednesday, and the Washington Wizards must deal with possibly losing veteran forward Paul Pierce. Here’s CSN Washington reporting:

With the Wizards now knowing for certain that Paul Pierce will opt out of the second year of his contract, they’ll proceed as if he’s not returning and secure a replacement (It may be a longshot but he still could re-sign here and get 120% of last season’s $5.5 million salary).

They don’t have any room under the salary cap so free agents such as DeMarre Carroll or Khris Middleton, blossoming, younger small forwards on the market who are in line for career paydays, are out of the question. The Wizards would have to acquire players of that caliber through a sign-and-trade but don’t have the assets to facilitate such a deal.

They have to make it work with two salary-cap exceptions at their disposal: Mid-level of just more than $5 million (used to sign Pierce) and the bi-annual exception of just more than $2 million (used two seasons ago to sign Eric Maynor).

In regular game situations, Pierce, well past his prime at this point, is replaceable. But as he showed in the playoffs, when clutch shots need to be hit, Pierce is as good as anyone in the league.

Paul Pierce may enter free agency

Paul Pierce may enter free agency

Here’s the Washington Post blog reporting on Wizards forward Paul Pierce — and this is still unofficial but he will reportedly test the free agent market:

Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce has decided to play next season but is expected to bypass his $5.5 million player option, according to two people with knowledge of the situation. The decision, which is due by the end of the month, would make Pierce a free agent for the second straight year.

Opting out opens the possibility of Pierce playing his 18th NBA season elsewhere but does not completely eliminate the prospect of Pierce returning to Washington. Pierce could choose to re-sign.

The most probable destination outside of the District would be to go back home to play for the Los Angeles Clippers and reunite with Doc Rivers, his coach for nine seasons with the Boston Celtics. Los Angeles has limited salary cap flexibility and will likely only be able to offer Pierce, who celebrates his 38th birthday in October, the taxpayer mid-level exception of $3.37 million for next season, but are closer to winning a championship than the Wizards even in the loaded Western Conference.

DeJuan Blair got few minutes from Wizards this season

DeJuan Blair spent most of this season watching from the bench

Here’s the Washington Post blog reporting on Wizards backup forward/center DeJuan Blair, who played a very small role on the team this season:

DeJuan Blair got few minutes from Wizards this season

Logging just 29 game appearances, he averaged 1.9 points, 1.9 rebounds and 45.6 percent shooting in 6.2 minutes. Now entering the second portion of his three-year deal, Blair’s days as a Wizard appear to be numbered as the team has made clear its intentions of playing faster and smaller.

The high point for Blair came during a Feb. 5 loss in Charlotte, when Seraphin and Gooden were inactive and the bench was depleted. Blair played a season-high 15 minutes, scoring four points, grabbing five rebounds and setting a vicious screen on an unsuspecting Hornets player.

“I just try to bring physicality to the team, to the game, and I think I did my part,” Blair said at the time.

He also saw time against his former team, Dallas, in a Dec. 30 blowout loss, recording nine points on 4-for-6 shooting and five rebounds. But across the final 31 regular-season games, Blair was “DNP-Coach’s Decision” in 17 contests. What’s more, the 26-year-old did not see action in the playoffs.