DREW GOODEN RESIGNS WITH THE WIZARDS ON A 1 YEAR/$3.3 MILLION DEAL
Drew Gooden, 33, has been a big part of the Wizards playoff run the past two seasons. As a result, not only did Washington resign the Kansas graduate to a veterans minimum ($1.5 million), but they signed him to a one year deal worth $3.3 million.
Drew Gooden goes back to Wizards: 1 year, $3.3M, per source. @WojYahooNBA first with agreement. Wiz have done nice job adding depth.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) July 9, 2015
With the trade acquisition of Jared Dudley, which became official today once the moratorium was lifted, the Wizards have a stretch four. However, Dudley is not the greatest of rebounders, averaging just over 5 boards in a 36 minute period in his career. With the Wizards only having two big men that Randy Wittman trusts to play during the playoffs: Marcin Gortat and Nene, it made sense for Washington to add another big man.
Gooden has a natural drive and energy he brings to the team. At 6′ 10”, the veteran stretch four always seemed to be soaring into the Verizon Center rafters to corral loose balls against the Toronto Raptors in the playoffs. Gooden might only be credited with 3.1 win shares for the Wizards over the past two regular seasons, but his 46.2 percent (12/26) shooting from beyond the arc last postseason to go along with his 5.5 rebounds per game in limited playing time was key. His performance in high leverage situations as well as his likability in the locker room made this a no-brainer. Gooden is clearly happy to be back.
I want 2 thank the Leonsis Family, and the entire Wizards organization 4 giving me another opportunity to compete for a ring! DC I'm back!!!
— Drew Gooden III (@DrewGooden) July 9, 2015
Other teammates likes Wizards leader John Wall also is joyful about the move.
My guy !! RT @DrewGooden: I want 2 thank the Leonsis Family, and the entire Wizards organization 4 giving me … http://t.co/FGhOWtlO4F
— John Wall (@JohnWall) July 10, 2015
The Wizards now have the maximum of 15 players currently under contract meaning there is little likelihood, at the moment, of signing an additional player off of the summer league team besides first round pick Kelly Oubre. Unless the Wizards are able to offload the contracts of Martell Webster, DeJuan Blair, and even last year’s starting power forward Nene, who currently do not fit into the way the Wizards are shaping their team, rookies like Dez Wells might have to look for work elsewhere.
UPDATED Projected Depth Chart:
PG: John Wall, Ramon Sessions
SG: Bradley Beal, Gary Neal, Garrett Temple
SF: Otto Porter, Alan Anderson, Kelly Oubre, Martell Webster
PF: Jared Dudley, Drew Gooden, Kris Humphries, DeJuan Blair
C: Marcin Gortat, Nene
The Wizards are now fully committed to the small ball mentality that the NBA’s best teams are transitioning to with their free agency acquisitions of Jared Dudley, Gary Neal, Alan Anderson, and now Drew Gooden.
For the latest on the rest of the Washington Wizards offseason building up to the start of the regular season, come back and visit District Sports Page regularly.
About Neil Dalal