Washington Wizards: Alan Anderson Says Choosing Wizards ‘Easy’

Alan Anderson was one of the key free-agents the Washington Wizards signed so far this offseason. Wiz fans know that it all began with losing Paul Pierce, but ended by getting three veterans including Jared Dudley, Gary Neal, and Anderson.

With a still-young roster having core players that have experienced playoff basketball twice together, the veterans will come in and provide confidence and wisdom that will be crucial during crunch time of any game.

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Anderson is entering his seventh NBA season after playing with Charlotte, Toronto and Brooklyn. When this past season ended, Anderson declined a player option that came out to $1.33 million to sign a one-year, $4 million dollar deal with the Wizards.

He did take the situation that offered more money, but it wasn’t about that with Anderson, he had the Wizards in mind from the minute he decided to decline his player option.

Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post reported that Anderson made his feeling thoughts known to reporters about why the decision to sign with the Wizards was an easy one:

"“They’re right there. They’re right there, man. They might be one or two possessions [away], one of two shots [away]. And I just wanted to be a part of that. They got something special going on. I just wanted to be a part of it and they showed a lot of interest in me also. So why not be a part of someone that wants you to be a part of something?”"

The signings of Neal and Dudley also most likely persuaded Anderson that even though they lost Pierce to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Wizards’ organization still had the mindset that they want to win a championship this season.

Because of Kevin Durant becoming a free-agent next season and Washington being rumored as a team likely to get him, it wouldn’t have been shocking if the front office was timid in free-agency trying to save cap space, but GM Ernie Grunfeld was able to sign all the veterans to one-year deals.

Anderson has averaged 7.4 points throughout his career which doesn’t exactly pop out as a mind-blowing stat, but his ability to score will be vital for the Wizards’ bench production next season. Also assuming he will see some time with John Wall and Bradley Beal on the floor, it should present Anderson a great deal of scoring opportunities.

Spreading the floor with shooters was the Wizards’ mission coming into next season. Once they moved Pierce to the 4 during the playoffs, Wall dissected the defense for layups or kickouts to open shooters. Bradley Beal already demands much attention on the perimeter, which will leave Anderson plenty of room to operate.

He continued to talk about the Wizards to reporters during a conference call:

"“They’re up and down but still they can play half-court ball. John Wall is amazing in the open court, even in the half court. He creates so many mismatches because he attacks the basket so aggressively. And Bradley Beal opens it up. I just think I can attack as well as knock down open shots and defend and just do little things that I’ve always done my whole career.”"

It has taken time, but the Wizards are finally a desired team by free agents. They may not have landed one of the top free agents this summer, but that isn’t what was in their plans.

If worst comes to worst and they don’t sign Kevin Durant next July, other key free agents will be more than happy coming to Washington with a backcourt of Bradley Beal and John Wall in hopes to deliver D.C. the championship they’ve been longing for.

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