http://blog.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/2008/07/wiz_offer_arenas_the_max_but_h.html Wiz offer Arenas the max but he may take less What a crazy night in free agency. First, Baron Davis surprisingly opted out of the final year of his contract that would have payed him $17.8 million this season from the Golden State Warriors. Then, according to my sources, the Warriors quickly burned the phones and offered former Warrior Gilbert Arenas a maximum-level contract, one that would pay him more than $100 million over five years. My source told me that Gilbert received a flurry of phone calls from the Warriors in the first 30 minutes of free agency. After Gilbert drove to the Verizon Center for a late night workout and a meeting with Ernie Grunfeld, the Wizards came strong with an offer of a maximum contract that covers six years for over $124 million (Not sure whether they knew about the Golden State offer or not. I hear they didn't. Ernie came strong but also laid it out for Gilbert that if he asked for the maximum, the team would be in a tough spot.) According to a source close to Arenas, the three-time all star is mulling the offers but is leaning towards staying with the Wizards and is willing to take less than the maximum if it will help Grunfeld make other moves he needs to make this summer. Earlier today, Antawn Jamison signed a four year deal worth $50 million and if Arenas took a max contract, his first-year cap number would essentially end the offseason for the Wizards. That would mean no shot at keeping Roger Mason Jr.(which Ernie would like to do with part of the midlevel exception) or any other key piece. Also, I heard from a very reliable source that the Sacramento Kings contacted Arenas and said they are willing to do "whatever it takes" to land his services even if they have to "trade their entire team." Guess the Maloof brothers want to matter again.
I think it's a smart move by the Warriors, I would rather try to give Arenas a max contract than Baron. Both seem injury prone, Baron moreso, and Arenas is like 5 yrs younger.
I remember reading his story when he got to practice when he was a rookie and everybody got their month salaries. And he thought he was finally rich, got 16.000$ and asked Sura about his and he said he's gonna get his half milion on his bank account and then Gil got ashamed and never asked anybody how much he makes over month or year. But judging his character from his blog which is great I think that Gilbert might take less to fit in some championship team. I also think that Wizards have brighter future than Kings or Warriors right now.
I'm a lot more concerned when the opposing team has Baron in its lineup than I am by the thought of having to go against Gilbert Arenas. Just the thought of the Wiz pouring ~$150M into him and Jamison makes me lol
arenas going back to golden state would be interesting and looks like the warriors are moving on from davis.
I should also say I'm very skeptical of this blog about Arenas. It's from the paper, which I'd usually credit with greater than usual credibility, but I find some of this hard to believe. The Kings would trade their whole team for Arenas? Lord help them.
Considering there's no actual basketball being played, this is a VERY entertaining off season so far.
Baron Davis would actually look pretty good on the Wizards. Maybe Arenas and Davis swap places, both getting +/- $100 million...
