The realistic top target for the Washington Wizards this summer was Ryan Anderson.

Anderson, who played with the Pelicans last season, ended up signing with the Houston Rockets on a four-year, $80 million deal.

But he was reportedly very close to signing with the Wizards.

Via CSN MidAtlantic:

“Anderson, as CSNmidatlantic.com reported going into free agency July 1, was their top target after whiffing on Kevin Durant in free agency. The Houston Rockets, however, scooped him with $80 million over four years while the Wizards chased after Al Horford who became an 11th-hour option before he settled on the Boston Celtics. The Wizards went to Atlanta to recruit Horford.

Anderson expected to be in a Wizards uniform, multiple league sources confirmed at the time. He'd even told John Wall via text that he believed that he was headed to D.C. But president Ernie Grunfeld never called back after an initial conversation in free agency and wasn't willing to go that high to acquire his services.”

Anderson is likely pretty happy playing in Mike D'Anotoni's system in Houston. Anderson likes to shoot threes as much as anyone and the Rockets set an NBA record with 50 3-point attempts Friday night.

The Wizards are clearly hurting on missing out on Anderson. They're a player or two short from really reaching their potential and Anderson could have been a guy to help them take that next step.