The Wizards couldn’t afford to woo expensive free agents, thanks to limited cap space. Nor did they want to dismantle their roster with a big trade.
Instead, what they’ve opted for is a guy who fills a subtle, but important, need: a big man who can pass and knock down a 15-footer.
Washington, coming off a 42-40 season and second consecutive playoff appearance, agreed in principle to a deal with free agent power forward Darius Songaila. His agent, Mark Bartlestein said Songaila would be in Washington today, when he’s expected to sign the five-year, $23-million contract.
“He’s a [power forward] who can shoot the ball and pass the ball and a lot of teams don’t have that,” Indiana Pacers President and CEO Donnie Walsh said. “He’s an energy guy; he goes to the boards. He plays well with low post men. He’s a glue player. He’s a guy you can plug in and do a lot of things.”
The 6-foot-8, 240-pound Lithuanian, entering his fourth season, averaged 9.2 points and 4.0 rebounds off the bench for Chicago. Songaila spent two seasons in Sacramento before joining the Bulls.
“He’s just a very good all-around player who is a real worker and as solid a player and person as you’re going to get,” said Sacramento Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. “He can shoot facing the basket, he can drive a little, he has a little post game. But he gives you a super effort every night.”
Both Petrie and Walsh say he’s a good fit in the Wizards’ Princeton offense, where he’ll likely often be stationed around the foul line.
“In that offense, you have to have big guys who can pass and he can pass,” Walsh said. “They didn’t really have that. And with [Gilbert] Arenas and [Antawn] Jamison out there, people clog it up on them and take their percentages with them shooting from the outside. With Arenas and his ability to get to the goal, they’ve got a guy who can now step out and make shots. They’re better because of this.”
Describing Darius
Songaila had drawn interest from a number of teams, including Indiana, Denver, Sacramento, Seattle and New York, according to his agent, Mark Bartlestein.
Indiana Pacers President and CEO Donnie Walsh compared Songaila to Sacramento’s Brad Miller, saying he used to get them confused when they played together.
From December through February, after a rough start in Chicago and before getting hurt late in the season, Songaila averaged 10.8 points and 4.5 rebounds off the bench. He’s started 35 games in his three-year career.
