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NBA: Best Free Agency Fits For Jared Dudley

By Colby Giacubeno

Mar 8, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Washington Wizards forward Jared Dudley (1) reacts after making a three point basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Washington Wizards forward Jared Dudley (1) reacts after making a three point basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Jared Dudley (1) looks to pass as Toronto Raptors center Bismack Biyombo (8) defends during the third quarter at Verizon Center. Toronto Raptors defeated Washington Wizards 84-82. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Jared Dudley (1) looks to pass as Toronto Raptors center Bismack Biyombo (8) defends during the third quarter at Verizon Center. Toronto Raptors defeated Washington Wizards 84-82. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Washington Wizards

After losing Paul Pierce in free agency last summer, the Wizards scattered to find any veteran help they could. Trading for Dudley was the best move the front office could make at that particular time, and it paid off.

The Wizards were plagued by injuries and as a result, finished 41-41, falling short of the playoffs for the first time since the 2012-13 season. Dudley however, made a great impression on what he can do on and off the floor in just one year for a young team. He and point guard John Wall developed a great chemistry especially in pick-and-pop situations that often ended with a Dudley three.

He also helped with the development of Otto Porter and rookie Kelly Oubre Jr. Porter credited Paul Pierce for his rise in confidence and production in the 2014-15 season. Porter started 73 games in the 2015-16 season averaging career-highs of 11.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.

Much of that could also be credited to Dudley with his ability to stretch the defense and create space for Porter to operate within the offense.

It would be ideal for the Wizards to re-sign Dudley this summer, but they have many different plans of attack for other players first.

They will still make their pitch to Kevin Durant in hopes that he returns home to D.C. It’s no secret though that the chances of that happening are quite slim after Oklahoma City’s excellent run in this year’s playoffs.

All signs indicate that they will offer a max contract to their restricted free agent Bradley Beal, which will leave them with enough room to either sign valuable role players, or a max player with some veteran minimum contracts added on.

Signing Dudley would give them depth off the bench at stretch-4 behind Markieff Morris. Not only that, but his relationships developed with Wall, Beal, and Marcin Gortat would continue to grow stronger and form a great culture throughout the locker room for the younger players.

Next: A Look At The Bright Side

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