WASHINGTON -- Jannero Pargo was sitting on a contract offer from the Chicago Bulls, just waiting for something better to come around. As the season got closer, he seemed content to just take that offer and return to the place he's been several times before.
"[We were] very close. Very, very close," Pargo said. "That's why the last 24 hours have been crazy."
In those last 24 hours, the Washington Wizards called because they needed someone to fill in for John Wall while he was injured for eight weeks. Pargo eventually analyzed both situations and chose the new one.
"Chicago was always there. They wanted me. But when this opportunity presented itself, I told them, and the Bulls understood," he said.
When asked why he chose the Wizards, he said he saw more of an opening on their roster.
"I've been in Chicago on a number of different occasions, and I didn't really get the opportunities that I wanted," he said. "With this situation, I think they're going in the right direction, getting some different guys here. Ariza, Nene, guys that know what it takes to win. They're rebuilding and they're going to be a lot better than they were last year. I wanted to be a part of that."
Pargo's contract is for one year at the veteran's minimum and is partially guaranteed, according to Sports Illustrated's Sam Amick.