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Washington Wizards: Which Newcomer Will Have Biggest Impact?

By Colby Giacubeno

Dec 18, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Jared Dudley (9) runs up the court after scoring a basket against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Sacramento Kings 107-108. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Jared Dudley (9) runs up the court after scoring a basket against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Sacramento Kings 107-108. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Washington Wizards were able to make franchise history last season during the playoffs, completing a first-round sweep against the Toronto Raptors.

The young and talented duo of John Wall and Bradley Beal continued to grow and mature in big moments during the series, but it was the veteran leadership of Paul Pierce that instilled confidence in every player wearing a Wizards’ uniform. But Pierce is no longer in Washington, as he agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers after opting out of his player option with the Wizards.

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Although Wall and Beal added to their playoff experience, losing a player like Pierce can have a major effect on a team especially in the post-season, and the Wizards didn’t take long to address that very issue. On Jul. 9, the Wizards announced the signings of veterans Gary Neal via free agency and Jared Dudley after trading a protected second-round pick to the Milwaukee Bucks.

On Jul. 12, the Wizards signed another veteran in Alan Anderson, who had played for Charlotte, Toronto, and Brooklyn throughout his career. NBA free agency is entering its dead period as most of the players have inked deals to their future teams, but the Wizards can still package trade deals in order to make a run at the Eastern Conference title next season.

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The signings of these three veteran players won’t be able to replace the championship experience Paul Pierce had while playing in Boston, but when it comes to being successful NBA players, these guys offer exactly that. The question is then raised, who will have the greatest impact of the three?

Entering his ninth season in the NBA, Jared Dudley has more experience than the other two players, but experience isn’t everything. He is also a great leader and teammate in the locker room. Dudley was a key component in the leadership department last season for the young Milwaukee Bucks as they made a playoff appearance before an opening-round exit against the Chicago Bulls.

Jan 2, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Jared Dudley (9) during the game against the Indiana Pacers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Indiana won 94-91. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Jared Dudley (9) during the game against the Indiana Pacers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Indiana won 94-91. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

The Bucks weren’t thought of as a playoff team during the season because of a very young roster, not to mention Jabari Parker suffering a season-ending injury and it being Jason Kidd‘s first year as the head coach. In that specific situation, leadership within the team was even more important, and Dudley did just that.

Last week it was announced that Dudley had undergone surgery on his back to repair a herniated disc that would keep him sidelined for 3-4 months. Optimistic that he will be on time with recovery, the Wizards hope to have him in time for training camp, but will certainly not want to rush the process. Besides the locker room presence that Dudley brings, he also brings a missing piece that the Wizards are missing with Pierce gone, and that is a player who has the ability to play the stretch-4 position at times.

Shooting 39 percent for his career from three, he will jump into the role that the Wizards found so effective last season in the playoffs when they played small and put Pierce at power forward. Playing smaller will allow Wall to have more space to operate and penetrate, creating open shots for everyone else.

The reason why Dudley will have the most impact of any player the Wizards have signed this off-season is because of his versatility and shooting ability. This isn’t to say that Neal or Anderson will not have an impact of their own because they too will be key pieces to the Wizards’ success next season.

Neal possesses the ability to play both point guard and shooting guard, always demanding the utmost respect from the opponents defense due to his lethal outside shot. Anderson is a flat out scorer who will be tremendous off the bench for the Wizards as they have missed a player who can fill it up from anywhere on the floor behind Bradley Beal.

The offseason is far from over, but with the acquisitions the Wizards have made thus far, Jared Dudley will be the guy that most of the weight and expectations sit upon. Now we wait and see how he responds to help this team get to places that every franchise dreams of.

Next: Golden State Warriors: Grading The Offseason

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