The agreement between the Washington Wizards and shooting guard DeShawn Stevenson on a four-year, $15 million contract required compromise from both parties.

Stevenson, who made just less than $1 million with the Wizards last season after turning down a three-year, $10.5 million offer from the Orlando Magic, hoped to land a larger contract but took Washington's final offer because it was the best on the table and because he enjoyed playing with Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison and the rest of the team.

Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld could have offered less, but wanted to ensure that last season's core would be kept together and felt Stevenson earned the contract with his performance and team-first attitude.

"I'm just happy to be back," said Stevenson, who started all 82 regular season games and averaged 11.2 points on 46.1 percent shooting, a career best. "It's a good fit for me here and I know they feel the same way so it's good that we got something done."