Source: http://rotoworld.com/content/HeadLines.aspx?sport=NBA&hl=98684 Arenas wants to get paid..a lot.
Is it really smarter for him to opt out? Who can pay him what he wants? Either he is being forward thinking and wants to win or he knows something we don't and wants the longer term payoff from some unsuspecting buyer. I just don't see how opting out helps him stay with the Wizards. Could he really be willing to take a pay cut for the good of the team?
I think both Jamison and Gilbert will return to the Wizards. If that team can get through the season healthy, they are easily a top 4 team in the East and a Finals contender.
Before you laugh, remember MJ's Bulls. I also said Finals contenders. I agree they won't win a championship without inside scoring.
This may work in the Wizards favor, I doubt anyone makes a serious offer for Gilbert given his injury history, they may get him for less. DD
Arenas IS a max player when healthy... hes not healthy now..sooo no hes not worth the max he should just quit bball and write blogs for a living jk..love those buzzer beating/team killing half court shooting game winning shots hes famous for... Also i would rather have a hobbled arenas...then the likes of rashard lewis..ben wallace..and other huge paying players that dont deserve the money they are getting
I would give Arenas a max contract if he's healthy. and what is up with this whole Arenas_Luvs_Jamison crap?? Are they like Mr./Mr. Steve Mobley II?
They will never be even Eastern Conference Finals contenders so long as they have no real point guard and Arenas dominating the ball. There's a big reason why they do so well with him out - you could have team involvement. With him in, the best offense they run is alternating one-on-five play between him, Butler, and Jamison. They're a LOT like the Niggets that way, and he is a lot like Iverson. Great player, for sure, but he kills the team concept in order to dominate. Evan
Wizards’ Arenas Opts Out of Final Year of Contract WASHINGTON, June 9 (AP) -- Gilbert Arenas lived up to his word and opted out of the final year of his contract, the Washington Wizards said Monday. The move had been long expected. Arenas has repeatedly said he would forgo the final year of his six-year, $65 million deal so that he could re-sign with the team for an even larger amount. Arenas can begin negotiating with any team on July 1. While he has expressed a desire to remain with the Wizards, he has also said he won't return unless the team also re-signs Antawn Jamison, who is also set to become a free agent. Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld has said he wants to re-sign both Arenas and Jamison. Arenas, a three-time All-Star, missed most of last season after two operations on his left knee. He has averaged 22.8 points, 5.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds in his seven-season NBA career. http://www.nba.com/nba_news/arenas_optsout_080609.html
He was complete garbage in the playoffs. Like, nuclear bad -- everytime he was in the game the Cavs went on a run. I understand he wasn't healthy and clearly shouldn't have been playing, just saying that's not exactly a good lasting impression to leave when you're seeking a pay raise.
Arenas is coming off a serious knee injury on the good side he's only 26. I like the Wizards as they're a fun team to watch. But even when they're fully healthy Lebron owns them. I don't think the Wizards are any better than the 4th-6th spot in the East and they won't be any better than that without an inside presence. They should S&T Arenas. A mix-up would be nice.
One more quick thing to add. I think Denver would make a very viable trading partner for the Arenas sweepstakes. They have talent/ big men/ bigger contracts to match if anything were to go down. Plus I doubt Wiz trade Arenas to an EC team so it makes sense.
I think it is a good move. As it is the Wiz have a one year 12.8 mil rental. That gives them all the power b/c they can see how Arenas is post rehab before a long term decision/contract. From Arenas perspective, I can see him saying give me a max (or near max) contract or all bets are off. Arenas is young and very productive when healthy, no doubt a max player if healthy. Will be interesting, but I think Arenas is going the right thing for his interest. He should at least get more security than a 1 year deal even if he can't get a full max (say settle on a 2 year max/near max deal with a player option on a 3rd). This isn't like Marion and his 17.2 last year where he can't possibly make up the difference in the next contract by opting out. Arenas is young and a star player.
A certain blocked basketball site is saying that Arenas is representing himself with no agent. I don't know if this is clever or stupid, but with the way he likes to run his mouth, I'm thinking it's the latter.
