Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced Monday that the team has re-signed guard DeShawn Stevenson. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced.

In his first season with Washington, Stevenson averaged 11.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and a career-high 2.7 assists in 82 games played. He also registered career-highs in field goal percentage (.461) and three-point field goal percentage (.404), and made a career-best 74 three-pointers.

As the only Wizards player to have started all 82 regular season games in 2006-07, Stevenson extended his streak to 168 consecutive game started; the third-longest active streak in the NBA behind only San Antonio’s Bruce Bowen and Detroit’s Tayshaun Prince.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS PRESIDENT ERNIE GRUNFELD
On re-signing DeShawn Stevenson:
“We really wanted to keep this team together. DeShawn is one of our starters and an important part of our team. We plan to have a very successful year with him as our starting shooting guard.”

On Stevenson’s importance to the Wizards:
“We felt that last year when our season was going very well, he was a big part of that. He is a tough, hard-nosed competitor; he gets along well with his teammates and is a great asset to the team.”

On Stevenson’s role with the Wizards last season:
“I think his toughness and his professionalism were outstanding. He never took a day off and he competed every day, not only in games, but also in practice situations. He accepted the role that the coaching staff had for him, and he never complained about anything, and the only thing that he was interested in was winning.”

HEAD COACH EDDIE JORDAN
On Stevenson re-signing with the Wizards:
“We are all very happy; he is certainly one of the most coachable players I have ever been involved with. He practices every day, plays every game and he helps as many of his teammates as he can.”

On bringing back last year’s starting five players:
“It will be beneficial for our starting five to be familiar with our offense. DeShawn brings a lot of different things to our team and is a great complement to Gilbert (Arenas).”

GUARD DESHAWN STEVENSON
On re-signing with the Wizards:
“I think I made a good decision. I am happy to be back and I think Washington is a good fit for me. I really wanted to stay here because I believe we have a strong starting five, I have great teammates, and this was an easy choice.”

On where he is now compared to last year:
“I did not get the contract I wanted last year and it was tough. I kept my head up and kept playing and it has all worked out. Eddie Jordan gave me a chance to come here and play the way I play, and Ernie did a great job in giving me the opportunity to join the Wizards. Everything we talked about happened, and I had a great year as a part of this team.”

Ivan Carter (Washington Post) and John Mitchell (Washington Times) have reported that the Wizards and DeShawn Stevenson have agreed in principle to a contract.

“DeShawn is excited to be back,” said Stevenson rep Mark Bartelstein to Carter. “He appreciated the way Ernie Grunfeld and the Wizards gave him an opportunity to come in and play last year and he’s looking forward to the future.”

Once anything official comes through the pipelines I’ll be sure to post it. In the meantime, feel free to head to the comments section and post your thoughts.

Both the Washington Post and Washington Times are reporting that the Wizards and DeShawn Stevenson are close to a contract agreement. Feel free to read up on the reported details and post your thoughts.

In Saturday’s edition of the Washington Post, Ivan Carter writes that “According to team and league sources, the Wizards have offered Stevenson a four-year, $12 million contract. But Stevenson, who turned down a three-year, $10 million offer from the Orlando Magic last summer, has not accepted that offer.”

Stevenson told the Post that “‘I’m happy that Ernie is still in the process of negotiating, it’s just that right now I feel that the offer that is out there is not my offer,” Stevenson said. “My agent and Ernie will continue to talk and I’m confident that we’ll come to an agreement that works for both sides. I know they want me and I feel good about staying in Washington.’”

From the Wizards Post Season Guide:

“In his seventh professional season — but his first in DC — DeShawn Stevenson enjoyed his finest professional season. Stevenson averaged career-high marks in field goal % (.461), 3pt. field goal % (.404) and assists per game (2.7), and as the only Wizard to have appeared in and started every game this season, he stretched his consecutive games started streak to 168 straight games; the third longest streak among active players behind only San Antonio’s Bruce Bowen and Detroit’s Tayshaun Prince.

“Additionally, having come to Washington during the off-season with just 53 total three-pointers made in his first six NBA seasons, Stevenson’s 74 three balls in 2006-07 alone more than doubled his previous tally — and in the late season absence of Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler, Stevenson filled in as one of Washington’s top offensive options. In 11 games in April, Stevenson averaged 13.6 points and 3.7 assists per game to help Washington secure the East’s 7th seed.”

Was this DeShawn’s one and only season in DC? Or will he be back for more? Time will tell and we’ll learn more after July 1. In the meantime, post your thoughts on DeShawn and what you think he meant to the team on (and off) the floor this past season.