Gilbert Arenas is signed for two more years and has a player option for a third. But the Wizards guard might bolt in the summer of 2008 if he doesn’t feel that Washington is in a position to compete for a championship.
“That is what I play this game for,” Arenas said. “Ninety-five percent of the players in this league want to win a championship more than anything else. I won’t be happy just making it to the playoffs every year and that’s it. I want to compete for a championship in my young years.”
The Wizards generally are considered a good team, though one with significant defensive shortcomings. But unless they upgrade at a few positions — especially in the frontcourt — the Wizards could be stuck in a situation similar to the one in which they found themselves in in the 2005-06 season: barely making the playoffs.
Arenas also has indicated he would be disappointed if coach Eddie Jordan does not receive a contract extension. Jordan is in the final year of his contract. “I’ll even say, if he’s not here I don’t want to be here,” Arenas said after the playoff loss to Cleveland. “I’ll even go that far. That’s how badly I want him here.”
Failing to keep Arenas would be nothing short of disastrous.
It’s good to see that Arenas is more concerned with a title than he is with money. That’s all well and good, but the true test is – will he take less money in order to put his team in a better financial situation? Most players talk about the title, but they want the fat contract first. Then they worry about their legacy.
In my Offseason Blueprint for the Wizards, I outlined some of the options the team has to improve its personnel.
