DeJuan Blair finishes worst NBA season in career

You might remember that DeJuan Blair was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Washington Wizards last year. I speculated shortly afterwards that he could find it difficult to find minutes there in a crowded front court -

And that was the case.

Blair scarcely got onto the court for the Wizards this year and many times didn't even get into the game. He played in a career-low 29 contests after not playing in fewer than 64 in his five previous NBA seasons. His numbers, as you would expect, took a big hit.

Blair averaged career-lows in just about everything this season: Minutes (6.2), FG% (45.6%), points (1.9), rebounds (1.9), assists (.1) - I mean, everything. Want an indication of how truly little he played? Blair has never been a great shotblocker, but considering he had only one this year, you can see that he just didn't factor in much. He also didn't play even a single minute in any of the Wizards' ten postsesaon games.

The former Pitt star has found it difficult getting on the court behind a glut of big men including starting center Marcin Gortat, backup center Kevin Seraphin, as well as power forwards Nene Hilario, Drew Gooden, and Kris Humphries.

Seraphin may not be back next year and he wants a starting gig - something he won't get in Washington with Gortat there.

"I definitely want a chance to be a starter," Seraphin, who matched his career high with 79 regular-season appearances but didn't start a game for the 46-win Wizards, told CSNwashington.com. "I definitely want to be somewhere I have a chance to be a starter."

That would free Blair up to back up Gortat, but that would be assuming they don't bring anyone else in. Blair is really guaranteed nothing next year and it could again be more of the same.

Blair has always been one of those guys that produces when he gets the opportunity. He's certainly a bit undersized at center in the NBA, but overall, he's been a contributor when he's been in there with some regularity.

Blair is under contract for at least one more year in Washington. In 2016-17, there's a team option so he could be tied up there for two more years - especially since that option is for a low amount at only $2 million, per Basketball-Reference. Barring a trade, Blair could find his minutes reduced for another two years.

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