Washington Wizards: Grading The Offseason
The Dudley Trade
Once the Wizards knew they had lost out on Pierce, it was time to go about finding a replacement. Jared Dudley is by no means a one-for-one substitute for the Truth, but bringing him in while only having to surrender a future second round pick was a great start to filling that hole.
Dudley has had a decent NBA career, endearing himself to the home fans wherever he’s gone as a hard working, competitive, high character role player. Well, except for his one-year stint Los Angeles Clippers, when he was mostly a disappointment, but Dudley bounced back as a veteran presence off the bench for the young Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 7.2 points per game on 38.5 percent shooting from three-point range.
Dudley said he opted back in with Bucks because he wants to be a FA next year. Said Wizards would've been atop his list if he opted out.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) July 10, 2015
He’s not as spry as he once was at age 30, but Dudley is still a useful 3-and-D wing that could start if Otto Porter isn’t ready, or he could fill a similar role to the one he had last year in Milwaukee. He could also play alongside Porter in small-ball lineups. Either way, Dudley brings a similar competitive fire on the wing, even if he’s nowhere near the clutch shot-maker that Pierce is.
Though Dudley is out for 3-4 months due to back surgery, he should be ready around the beginning of the 2015-16 season. As long as he can stay healthy, the Wizards will be able to move on post-Pierce until Porter and/or Oubre are fully ready.
Grade: B+
Next: Adding Anderson