Gilbert Arenas opts out
It’s been an adventurous year for Gilbert Arenas. Last season he became everyone’s favorite blogger who played some basketball on the side, scoring 60 points in a game, hitting buzzer beaters, becoming the people’s champ. Then there was this interview where he put his value to a team above the likes of Kobe and LeBron. He had his usual share of hilarity on his blog, talking about everything from shaving “down there” to cheating at Halo on Xbox Live, to the time he considered ending it all because he wasn’t medically cleared to play ball.
Oh, and there was the time that he missed a huge chunk of the season due to injury and his team played better without him. Anyways, Gilbert had leverage like a man standing on top of a cliff with a boulder at the end of a plank, but he gave some of that up this season. Still, he will test the market, they all do. He leaves open the door for his return by saying he’ll take a paycut if that means it will help Washington will keep Antawn Jamison. But that’s a lot of investing for a team that may want to move on in a new direction.
What will another team pay for an explosive scorer who is the king of all enigmas, the rare combination of someone who can be down to earth and not take what they do too seriously, and also someone who overvalues their importance and performance? He definitely makes your team more entertaining and watchable. But who can afford him, especially coming off the injury? Any thoughts? Suggested destinations? Sign-and-trades?
The good news for Gilbert is that all it takes is one GM to throw the big money at him.
90 Responses to “Gilbert Arenas opts out”
Jun.10 at 9:13 am
Jukai says:
TRADE HIM TO BOOOOSTON
Jun.10 at 9:14 am
Sam Rubenstein says:
oops me and Mutoni “crossed swords”
Jun.10 at 9:16 am
Squirrel7 says:
Down-to-earth? Gilbert Arenas? If you say so……. Either way, while I don’t wish injury upon anyone, I’m a little pleased that Agent Zero won’t be getting that max contract he’d been anticipating.
Jun.10 at 9:19 am
Sam Rubenstein says:
Oh and one more detail… he hasn’t hired an agent, he’s representing himself… oh boy!
Jun.10 at 9:21 am
Squirrel7 says:
Well obviously. Otherwise he’d have to share the spotlight with someone else, at the negotiating table!
Jun.10 at 9:21 am
ber says:
representing himself? that should be fun…
Jun.10 at 9:24 am
TADOne says:
Oh boy……
Jun.10 at 9:29 am
Marcel Mutoni says:
en garde, samuel!
Jun.10 at 9:30 am
AB_40 says:
Charlotte Bobcats. Trade the pick and then some and get Gilbert Arenas. That will sell tickets. Him J Rich and G wallace running the break with emeka and some guy that will be fun to watch
Jun.10 at 9:42 am
Rico says:
Golden State should make a move for Gilly, he would fit in with the run & gun and would love the freedom from Nelly to be explosive and crazy.
Jun.10 at 9:42 am
Rico says:
If not Golden State, I think he would be a perfect match for the Spurs.
Jun.10 at 9:45 am
Captain America says:
He’ll be back with the Wiz next season. Just a typical ploy to drive up his market value. Could backfire though, the last time he was seen was during his wobbling playoffs.
Jun.10 at 9:46 am
Jukai says:
I’m going out on a limb here and saying every $*%&ing team in the league should try and trade for Gilbert Arenas.
Jun.10 at 9:50 am
Jukai says:
replace “trade” with “throw money at”
Jun.10 at 9:51 am
Jukai says:
Sign and trade… throw Barbosa in for Gilbert… Bring Gilbert off the bench in PHX!
Jun.10 at 9:54 am
Logan says:
zzzz
Jun.10 at 9:55 am
Sesa says:
Clippers!
Jun.10 at 9:59 am
Michael says:
i have no idea if this works but arenas for brand maybe?
Jun.10 at 10:20 am
starbury&stevey says:
trade him to The Team USA…
Jun.10 at 10:21 am
ciolkstar says:
G State could let BDiddy opt out and then give that money to Arenas? The problem is they are both question marks in terms of health. Baron is getting older and Gil never looked right last year. I think he’ll wind up staying in DC though.
Jun.10 at 10:25 am
Sesa says:
It’s working for the Clippers, because it will at least generate revenue for the Clippers and Arenas will enjoy the bright light of Angeles
Jun.10 at 10:47 am
Jay Davis says:
If he’s not gonna get the max, Orlando should look at him.
Jun.10 at 10:56 am
B. Long says:
@ciolkstar: I like your idea….for my own selfish reasons. B-Diddy loves Hollywood and no I’m not talking bout the Clips.
Jun.10 at 11:07 am
DP says:
two words comin for Gil, cash flow. that’s a hot song by the way.
Jun.10 at 11:13 am
Sparker says:
pretty bad sign that he came back once and couldn’t keep the knee healthy. he may be sitting by the phone for a bit
Jun.10 at 11:13 am
drew says:
since he cant beat them he should join them. he should sign with the cavs
Jun.10 at 11:16 am
Jukai says:
I mean, Arenas, given an ego check, could help pretty much 99% of the teams in the league. Is there any team he’d hurt?
Jun.10 at 11:21 am
d.Y. says:
Who has any kind of cap room other than the Grizz and Philly?
Jun.10 at 11:24 am
B. Long says:
Please go to Golden State, Please go to Golden State, Please go to Golden State, Please go to Golden State, Please go to Golden State,B-Diddy needs to opt out immediately.
Jun.10 at 11:25 am
jbas says:
on a max deal what kinda bank would a team have to throw at gilly next year? cuz i think that negates any opportunity for him to go to g state, cuz if bdiddy and his beard stay in the bay he’s due to make $17.5m next year…..thats a lot of coin for two healthy knees.
Jun.10 at 11:35 am
Jukai says:
You know, we gotta remember Gilbert’s EGO here. Would anyone be that surprised if he turned down the money to go somewhere where he could get a ring, easy?
Jun.10 at 11:35 am
B. Long says:
B-Diddy and Agent Zero would not be able to co-exsist therefore B-diddy opts out, signs with the Lakeshow, and gets rings like Tiffany’s. At least that’s how it plays out in my fantasy world.
Jun.10 at 11:37 am
MK PETRIK says:
The Suns should definitely looking into getting Arenas. Package in Barbosa, Hill and Diaw for Arenas and Stevenson.
Jun.10 at 11:38 am
Tariq says:
Hey Sam, in this “crossing swords” scenario, which one of you is Turtle and which one is Drama?
Jun.10 at 11:39 am
MK PETRIK says:
Nash, Arenas, Bell, Stoudemire and Shaq, its not a bad line up if you ask me.
Jun.10 at 11:42 am
Tariq says:
You heard it here first: Gil will sign for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and I’m takin all bets, throw your ones in.
Jun.10 at 11:49 am
B. Long says:
Arenas & Shaq with a rookie coach could be more dangerous than a Sunni/Shiate Sunday barbecue.
Jun.10 at 12:02 pm
RV says:
He’s always liked Houston…
Jun.10 at 12:03 pm
Rico says:
@B.Long….as a laker fan it doesn’t surprise me to see you expecting to have another star player fall in your lap.
Jun.10 at 12:20 pm
B. Long says:
@Rico: I’ve been wanting this since B-Diddy was doing Redamndiculous things at UCLA. He was like a NBA STREET player come to life. Even after the knee injury and several years into the league, B-Diddy is my favorite Non-Laker.
Jun.10 at 12:22 pm
albie1kenobi says:
B. Long has been singing that same song about B. Diddy forever. so he’s just being consistent here. Gil’s from LA too so i don’t doubt his interest in the lakers also.
Jun.10 at 12:26 pm
Knicks! says:
I see James Dolan offering 20 million a year for Gil……
Jun.10 at 12:28 pm
Rico says:
Okay….B-Diddy would work in LA personality wise, but do y’all really think Gil could mesh with Kobe? Gil likes to be the closer and you know Kobe would have none of that (and he shouldn’t).
Jun.10 at 12:36 pm
Dark says:
Clippers should go after him. 1-Brevin Knight, 2-Gil, 3-Al Thorntion, 4-Brand and 5-Kaman.
Jun.10 at 12:54 pm
B. Long says:
I think Baron is a better fit. Personality wise and skill set wise for the Lakeshow. I wouldn’t be mad if Agent Zero ended up with the Clips or playing the two spot in Nawlins. They should have a little cap room down there and a CP3/Agent Zero backcourt= Muey Hibachi!
Jun.10 at 12:59 pm
Brandon Hoffman says:
Hibachi! Gilbert is an incredible scorer but his teams will never win anything of significance with him at the point. He simply doesn’t have the basketball IQ to lead a team from that position.
Jun.10 at 1:09 pm
B. Long says:
If I was the Heat, I would try to get involved with this situation. Dwayne Wade and Gilberto are eerily similar production wise and if I could get Chi-Towns pick straight up for D-Wade and keep the 2nd pick along with sign Arenas I don’t blink. A Rose/Agent Zero/Matrix/Beasley tandem would have them competing in the East for the next decade or so.
Jun.10 at 1:20 pm
Rico says:
For some reason I think Gil would fit in nicely with the Knicks. He would love the city, new coach, and opportunity to have the ball back in his direction.
Jun.10 at 1:34 pm
B. Long says:
@Rico: That would be a worse idea than when Gilberto decided to experiment with Nair.
Jun.10 at 1:36 pm
Jukai says:
B. Long, that trade will never go down. I think that trading Wade for the #1 pick and a couple of youngsters is probably a good idea on both sides (as long as the Heat keep that second pick) but everyone either feels one way or another.
Jun.10 at 1:36 pm
AD25 says:
Gil will be cancerous to any team he plays for
Jun.10 at 1:37 pm
Rico says:
@B. Long….yeah, but wouldn’t it be fun to watch?
Jun.10 at 1:39 pm
B. Long says:
@AD25: I guess Deshawn Stevenson is Gil’s fault? Oh, how one injury plagued season can skew one’s view.
Jun.10 at 1:40 pm
B. Long says:
@Jukai: Which youngsters? Cook, Wright, or Banks maybe? I don’t see that as helping either party really.
Jun.10 at 1:45 pm
AD25 says:
oh I wasn’t talking about Stevenson… wouldn’t give him the time of day… no, I meant that Gil is a shoot-first point guard who thinks a little too highly of himself and (wrongly) puts himself in the same category as Steve Nash and John Stockton (see his blog entry)
Jun.10 at 1:49 pm
Jukai says:
Wrong way, B. Long. Give Wade to Chicago for the #1 pick and a couple of CHICAGOS youngsters (Duhon/Noah/Thomas/Gray/any guy with a decent change to develop and continue with the team for years to come). That way Miami gets Rose/Beasley and one or two young players, is still a lottery team for another year or two, and when Rose and Beasley finally kick into stardom, that team is going to be immense… while on the other hand, adding Wade to any team better than Miami gives them a fighting chance at the playoffs. Put Wade on Chicago, resign Deng and maybe Gordon (if he still wants to come off the bench for Wade), and you have an IMMENSELY talented team willing to give the east a run for its money. Agree?
Jun.10 at 1:50 pm
Jukai says:
I mean, that was my train of thought, but after 25 minutes using the Trade Machine on ESPN, I can’t get the damn thing to work. Wade’s odd BYC makes things impossible, I guess.
Jun.10 at 2:07 pm
Aaron says:
Jukai…taking two lottery picks to lead your team is a mistake. Sounds great tho huh Rose and Beasley on the same team. Maybe five years from not but not coming in together as rookies, it just won’t work. But back to Gil…Cleveland anyone???
Jun.10 at 2:13 pm
Jukai says:
Aaron, two players: John Stockton and Karl Malone. If you REALLLLLY think Stockton’s extra year in Utah made a difference, then let’s let Rose play for a year and let Beasley tear up the D-League and come in as a rookie next year.
Gilbert is very ego driven (not money driven like everyone else is claiming). I can’t see Arenas ending up on the team he considers are his rivals.
Jun.10 at 2:46 pm
Aaron says:
Tear up the D-league…u think either player would go for that…really? And is Rose/Beasley better than Wade/Beasley? And yes one year in the league esp for point guards does make a huge difference.
Jun.10 at 2:48 pm
TADOne says:
Funny thing is, the Heat actually went to watch Mayo work out in Chicago and word is if Rose is picked by the Bulls, then Miami may pass up Beasley for Mayo.
Jun.10 at 2:49 pm
TADOne says:
Mayo-Wade-Marion would definitely end in a fistfight for the ball.
Jun.10 at 3:26 pm
albie1kenobi says:
that would sell ticket, TAD. lots of them.
Jun.10 at 3:28 pm
Jukai says:
Aaron, I was being sarcastic. I was implying that your logic was dumb and that there’s no reason to put two super star rookies on the same team if they have completely different positions. Hell, one is a play maker and one is a finisher… shouldn’t they get used to each other from start to finish?
Wade/Rose will be way more effective in the short run, but with Wade on the team, they’re going to be playoff contenders. 7th/8th seed for the first few years, no doubt… but with the team that Miami has, it’s going to be very hard to BUILD from them. Marion probably wont stay, Haslem is going to be too old to be effective when Rose finally hits 100%, Ricky Davis… well, Ricky Davis. Miami needs a lot more changes to be done, and getting some young guns through the Chicago trade that have a chance of developing, along with a few years in the lottery, will be better for Miami in the long run.
Jun.10 at 3:28 pm
Jukai says:
*no reason NOT to put two superstar rookies on the same team. Excuse me.
Jun.10 at 3:31 pm
Jukai says:
TAD, I want that to happen badly… but only on the condition that Eboy’s facial expressions are video taped on draft day.
Jun.10 at 3:39 pm
albie1kenobi says:
can someone explain what OJ Mayo’s actually good at? on the basketball court that is.
Jun.10 at 3:50 pm
Aaron says:
yea i didnt have any logic behind it, its more of a feeling and i have yet to see it work(re: chicago Curry and Chandler although they could have worked with more patience possibly) Basically I’m not saying that it wouldn’t work for the players but that no franchise in the modern NBA has the requisite patience to wait five years for two college freshman to become stars. I really can’t see where your proposed trade does anything more then to pacify the media and fans for another year for the Heat and give them an excuse for another 15-20 win season…or two. The Bulls would do better with Wade but there’s no way they can get Wade, even with adding the #1 pick, without giving up Deng or Gordon. Ok so let’s say they do that, yes they’re still better off but now tell me what would they do after that to put themselves in title contention instead of where they were last year as a playoff team that gets out in the first round every year.
Jun.10 at 3:50 pm
Aaron says:
should Gil sign a one year deal, prove he’s back at full strength then go after the max next year?
Jun.10 at 4:12 pm
Jukai says:
Aaron, first off, the Hawks have been in rebuilding mode for 15 years… Seattle is doing the exact same thing with ONE college freshmen. If Rose and Beasley really are going to be ultra all-star level players in the future, it IS worth five-years of waiting to finally be a championship contender. If Rose and Beasley were playing, there’s no way Miami is going to care for one or two years of missed playoffs… that’s just more lottery players and more time to free up cap room for free agency. Not to mention, Thomas/Noah/Duhon or whoever the hell else Miami winds up with will also improve with the team and grow in time. Rebuilding isn’t an instant process, and with the prospect of Rose and Beasley, I’m pretty sure the media wont give a damn how long it takes… lest one of them suck, in which case, whoops.
Jun.10 at 4:14 pm
Jukai says:
Also, you asked how Chicago is going to get over the hump, even WITH Wade… I have no idea. To get a championship caliber team, you have to get lucky. You have to make trades for players that turn out surprisingly good (Rip and Sheed, for instance) or you draft players who turn out to be surprisingly good (Manu and Parker). It’s not like Chicago has any better plans on how to get over the hump at this point. I’d instantly give away Gordon or Deng in a sign-and-trade to get Wade, who needs them. They may not be able to get over that second-round playoff jump, but with Wade there, they’re in a way better position than they were before.
Jun.10 at 4:25 pm
B. Long says:
@Jukai: I agree with your comment about the Bulls/Heat trade and if the Heat could get Noah, Thomas, and the 1st pick for Wade and Marion I would pull the trigger on that deal too.
Jun.10 at 4:50 pm
RolleZed says:
I think Hibachi would be a great fit in New York.
Jun.10 at 4:59 pm
WeS says:
Sign and trade - somehow getting rid of Kirk Hinrich… Manage to keep the number one pick… Please Bulls…
Jun.10 at 8:42 pm
Dacre says:
Move him to the new Seattle outfit.
Jun.10 at 9:14 pm
CB4MVP says:
Raptors! Go To Toronto Gilbert
Jun.10 at 11:23 pm
Joe says:
I think he is going go to the New York Knicks. They suck already. I think anybody could make them better.
Jun.11 at 2:20 am
LAN says:
KNICKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jun.11 at 2:21 am
Hursty says:
Houston, for Skip, Aaron Brooks and a pick. they have 12 million in cap space after bonzi and James left.
Jun.11 at 4:19 am
Hursty says:
no I was way off with that statment. They re-signed Landry(which they needed to do). If they pick up a guy like Chris Douglas Roberts it helps with the offensive load and dude is athletic as heck so that’ll sure up the bench, he’ll back up tmac and Battier so thats good. To get Gil, the rockets will have to (likely) give up the 2nd round pick if not the 1st round as well. Luther Head HAS to go, and either skip or bobby jackson will as well. Rockets have about 2.5 million left, their next 1st rounder is gone but hopefully it wont be a lottery anyways.
Jun.11 at 4:27 am
Hursty says:
ok so the rockets can do: skip, chuck hayes, Bobby Jackson, Luther Head and Aaron Brooks for Gilbert Arenas and Nick Young. theres a 500,000$ difference but 100,000$ should be wiped by the league and H-town still has that 1st or 2nd round pick to give up and the 2 million or so cash, so a 3 way trade is possible too. Evening it out with cash considerations, but its unlikely.
Jun.11 at 8:16 am
din says:
go to miami..after miami release mariion
team looks like this
pg-arenas
sg-wade
sf-wright
pf-beasley
c-blount yee miami 2008/2009
..you gotta believe b4 it happens
Jun.11 at 8:48 am
Glove' says:
“If” he’s 100%,he’s worht it.I think he’s a little premature with his demands.He’s first gotta show he’s worth and worthy of a big contract.
Jun.11 at 9:17 am
The_Truth says:
I would love to see him play for the Rockets and see a team other than the Spurs come out of the South!
Jun.11 at 12:02 pm
Paul says:
Houston, NY, Miami or NJ. Any of those four. Don’t think he’ll get the money he expects from any of those though. If he goes to Miami, there’s not enough ball to share - assuming Marion sticks around..
Jun.11 at 2:40 pm
aaron says:
well its really personal preference anyway. Personally I’m not a huge Rose fan and I think Beasley will put up big numbers but that he isn’t a “winner” yet. Rebuilding is for suckers…
Jun.11 at 5:41 pm
Hursty says:
Thing is. he WANTS to go to Houston-because their a contender (2nd tier) and he can get them over the hump (to the 2nd round anyways). He wouldnt consider the Knicks according to his blog because 1. they suck. 2. its too cold. 3. money. same with Jersey. He wants a warm place to play in.
Jun.12 at 2:22 am
Dacre says:
ITS NICE AND WARM IN ARIZONA!!!
^_^
Jun.12 at 7:35 am
Money Bill Williams says:
hursty…. i don’t think DC is exactly Bora Bora
Jun.15 at 1:25 am
Bitz says:
I bet gilbert will end up going to either, Seattle or Indiana. To whoever said he was going to Spurs (saw it up there somewhere) your either a biased Spurs fan or 1 IQ level from mental retardation. Gilbert believes in himself and only him to get the job done in the fourth quarter. Spurs don’t play they, they go with the hot man and none of them could care who gets the shot. Spurs = last place Gilbert goes, you heard it here first.