Report: Wizards, Paul Pierce agree to 2-year, $11 million deal
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Having missed out on Trevor Ariza, the Washington Wizards moved on and signed a veteran small forward to fill the void.
ESPN has learned that Pierce will sign a two-year deal with the Wizards at the mid-level exception with a player option entering Year 2
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 13, 2014
Signing Paul Pierce is certainly sudden, as the Wizards were not one of the teams rumored to be in the chase for Pierce. However, given Ariza's signing earlier Saturday, the Wizards found themselves with a hole on the wing, and a 36-year-old Pierce certainly fits the bill.
Pierce averaged 13.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game last season as a small-ball four for the Nets. He previously stated that he wanted to play for another two seasons, and this deal certainly provides him with that option.
While Pierce isn't the defender that Ariza is, he has much more pedigree and playoff experience to his name, and his presence should provide mentorship to a pair of budding stars in John Wall and Bradley Beal.
With his signing, the Wizards have now used up their mid-level exception, and will have limited means to bring in any more free-agents.