At the end of the Wizards’ 2015 playoff run, when they were defeated in the second round by the Atlanta Hawks, there was an outcry among Wizards fans and media members alike to acquire a playmaking power forward. (The term “stretch four” has been used enough.) After the small-ball lineup that featured Paul Pierce playing the four proved to be so successful in the postseason, it became clear that a more permanent solution at that spot would be key to the Wizards’ offensive success moving forward.
After Pierce left DC for the Clippers in free agency, Jared Dudley was acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks in early July to fill that role.