NBA: Washington Wizards Shifting Focus From Kevin Durant To Ryan Anderson

When Kevin Durant announced the teams he is going to meet with, the Washington Wizards were not on that list. With that being said, the Wizards are going to have focus on other free agents this summer. According to CBS Sports, the Wizards are shifting their attention towards Ryan Anderson. The former California Golden Bears star is one of the best shooters available in free agency.

Ryan Anderson was the 21st pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. He is one of the best shooting power forwards in the National Basketball Association. Anderson has played for three teams since joining the league. He was drafted by the New Jersey Nets and spent a year with them. Ryan was then traded to the Orlando Magic.

While playing for the Orlando Magic, Ryan Anderson won the Most Improved Player of the Year award in 2011-2012 NBA season. That year, he led the league in both three-point field goals made and attempted.

They aren't getting Kevin Durant, so the #Wizards reportedly want to sign Ryan Anderson https://t.co/ZtUcq2tzgZ pic.twitter.com/OYonG3Xe7V

— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) June 28, 2016

After winning the Most Improved Player of the Year award, Ryan Anderson decided to sign with the New Orleans Pelicans. He has been a very efficient role player for the Pelicans. Anderson has the ability to go off for 20 points in any given night.

With the NBA salary cap rising to $94 million this summer, teams will have more money to spend on free agents. Ryan Anderson is expected to get a significant pay raise this summer from his recent performance with the New Orleans Pelicans. He averaged 17 points and six rebounds in 30.4 minutes. Anderson shot 42 percent from the field and 36 percent from beyond the arc.

Some people in the NBA are expecting Ryan Anderson’s next contract to be around $17 million. Several teams are going to be interested in signing him this summer. He has the ability to stretch out the floor. That’s what most teams are looking for in a power forward.

The Washington Wizards could have more than $30 million to spend on free agents this summer. Bradley Beal is going to be a restricted free agent. The Wizards will have the decision to match any contract that is offered to him. Beal currently has a $14.2 million cap hold.

Last season, the Washington Wizards traded a first round pick for Markieff Morris. He improved his shooting percentage after the trade. Morris is a good player on a team friendly contract. He is going to be making $8 million next season. If the Wizards were to sign Ryan Anderson, Morris could be coming off the bench.

Regardless of who’s coming off the bench, Ryan Anderson would make the Washington Wizards big man rotation much more well rounded. Markieff Morris and Marcin Gortat proved to be an effective defensive pairing last season. Adding Anderson to the mix would give the Wizards an effective offensive pairing for next season.

The Washington Wizards could also decide to go with a small line at times. They could play Markieff Morris and Ryan Anderson together. That would give John Wall a lineup with a ton of spacing. It would give him room to drive into the paint and kick it out to either Morris or Anderson.

The Oklahoma City Thunder proved last season that you can live with a player making $17 million coming off the bench like what they did with Enes Kanter. Hopefully, Ryan Anderson or Markieff Morris can accept a sixth man role for the good of the team. The Washington Wizards are going to have to figure out these answers before coming to an agreement with Anderson. The addition of Anderson would give the Wizards another talented player to add to their team.

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