From a fan's standpoint, the obvious is obvious. Gilbert Arenas is a likable buffoon at best, and at worst a tragic Jayson Williams meltdown waiting to happen. Either way you cut it, he's overrated as a player (especially after three knee surgeries), the league's worst contract (roughly $90 million owed for the next four and a half seasons), and an act that has worn thin. Now the man who once told a police officer, "you can't arrest me, I'm a basketball player," could be rung up on felony charges if it's proven he and fellow idiot teammate Javaris Crittenton pointed guns at each other inside the Washington Wizards locker room.
As ugly and damaging this event can be for the NBA, commissioner David Stern acted swiftly and appropriately, suspending Arenas indefinitely and sending the message the league will not tolerate this garbage. As a lifelong NBA fan, I applaud Stern for coming down hard on Arenas, especially considering all of the disgusting behavior pro athletes have engaged in over recent years. Enough is enough--the league does not need you.
So, what does this situation mean for the Wizards? For starters, they can kiss this season goodbye. As much as Arenas is overrated and overpriced, he still puts up nearly 23 points and 7 assists per game, production that isn't that easy to replace. But realistically, after starting the season 11-21, and facing the possibility of going into the most hyped free agency period with nearly no cap space, general manager Ernie Grunfeld is all about dismantling the team right now. If anything, this transgression with Arenas could be a gift from the gods if it means the Wizards can void his contract.
According to the current collective bargaining agreement, a contract can be voided if a player "at any time, fails, refuses, or neglects to conform his personal conduct to standards of good citizenship, good moral character (defined here to mean not engaging in acts of moral turpitude, whether or not such acts would constitute a crime), and good sportsmanship." Whether Arenas gets hit with a few misdemeanors or a felony remains to be seen. Either way, I think Grunfeld has a good case in his favor.
Word is the Wizards have already started shopping Antawn Jamison ($28 million over next two) and Caron Butler ($10.5 for one year). If they can move these guys for expiring deals and void Arenas' contract, the Wizards would enter next season with DeShawn Stevenson (age 28), Andray Blatche (23), Nick Young (24), Javale McGee (21) and roughly $42 million in cap space. That would allow them to throw max deals at LeBron James and Dwyane Wade and still have about $8 million to spend on filling out the roster. Oh yeah, there's also a likely top-five lottery pick in June.
Of course, the Wizards aren't going to only receive expiring deals for Jamison and Butler, but you get the point. They're going to have some young talent on the bench, a top draft pick, and more spending money than any other team in the league. With a few smart moves, the Wizards can easily build a contender for years to come.
Meanwhile, Arenas can work on getting himself together and landing a job elsewhere. Make no mistake, he will play in this league again; just not for the Wizards and not as "Agent Zero" or "Hibachi" or whatever cute name he has for himself.
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