Wizards bring in Pierce to replace Ariza, but real dream is Kevin Durant in two years

LeBron James just left the only place he’s known real success in the NBA because of the draw of home.

The Wizards draw hope from that — Kevin Durant is a Washington D.C. native, and just happens to be a free agent in two summers.

It’s part of what is behind the Wizards not ponying up everything Trevor Ariza asked and why Paul Pierce is taking his place on a two-year deal for less money. J. Michael of CSNWashington lays it out.

Trevor Ariza left for $8 million per year to the Houston Rockets, which is surprising to some in receiving a four-year deal. The reason the Wizards passed? Persons with knowledge of the situation told CSNwashington.com that he wanted $10 million and the Wizards wouldn’t budge because they have an eye toward 2016 free agency and wanted to keep flexibility with the salary cap. In other words, Kevin Durant.

It was the years as much or more than the money that gave Washington pause. If you just read that last paragraph shaking your head, know that the Wizards are not kidding here.

But make no mistake, this isn’t conjecture anymore. It’s real. The hiring of David Adkins, who coached Durant in high school, from the University of Maryland’s women’s team as assistant coach to player development for the Wizards this past week isn’t a coincidence.

The building blocks are being put in place now. Ariza is off the books and Porter, who is playing on a rookie scale contract, is a much cheaper option. Nene, who will make $26 million for the next two seasons, will be off the books as well.

Let’s be clear, there is no way to have any idea what newly minted MVP Kevin Durant will do in 2016 — the smart money right now would be on him staying in Oklahoma City, and if they win a title those odds of staying go up exponentially. However two years is an eternity in the NBA.

Durant is such a transcendent player that no matter how long the odds this is a good risk for the Wizards, they should be making moves with thoughts of 2016 cap space. Durant is in the same class with LeBron in this sense (LeBron also will be a free agent in 2016 but is almost certainly not leaving Cleveland again). These are guys who once on your team make you instant contenders, so if they are coming on the market you prepare yourself. The Wizards are not going to be the only team doing this.

But the Wizards can count on the power of home.