NBA Rumors: Wizards won’t trade for Ryan Anderson because of Kevin Durant

According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Washington Wizards won’t trade for Ryan Anderson because of Kevin Durant.

The NBA Trade Deadline is on Thursday, and the deadline is just as much about teams setting themselves up for free agency, as it is about teams getting ready for the playoffs. With Kevin Durant set to be the big fish in free agency, some teams are hesitant to add on salary at the trade deadline in case it makes it harder for them to land Durant.

One of those players that could be on the move is New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson. Anderson is one of those forwards that can space the floor and knock down threes. He’s also set to be a free agent after the season and will demand a big contract.

That means that wherever Anderson ends up if he’s traded, it’s likely that the team that acquires him will give him the money that he wants in free agency. Otherwise it doesn’t make much sense to give up the necessary assets for a rental unless a team feels strongly that Anderson can put them over the top in the playoffs.

One team that is looking into Anderson is the Washington Wizards. While the Wizards had interest in Anderson, it doesn’t look like it was anything serious. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Wizards won’t be getting in on the Anderson chase because of Durant.

Paying Anderson in free agency would likely take the Wizards out of the Durant chase, which they have been positioning themselves for some time now. The Wizards’ season has been a disappointing one this year and while things haven’t been going well, they feel they have a strong chance to bring Durant back to his hometown.

That’s why they wont’ be giving up the assets and cap space necessary to go get a piece like Anderson.