Washington Wizards: 5 Ways They Can Boost Gilbert Arenas' Trade Value

Although his 30 point performance in the recent game against the Chicago Bulls, the Washington Wizards and Gilbert Arenas really have no future.  Matter of fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the Wizards though about calling people up right after his amazing performance.  The original plan for the Wizards is to play Gilbert this season and see how he does; according to the way Arenas performs will probably be the deciding factor of how long he stays and when he will go.

Even now no GM would take Arenas just because of one good performance

There is no doubt in my mind that D.C. fans will miss Gilbert Arenas...but it is already a foregone conclusion unless the Wall/Arenas thing actually works out and the Wizards just happen to make it to at least the 7th seed in the playoffs. For now, these are some possible things the Wizards can do to advertise Arenas...

Give Him a Wake-Up Call

Gilbert knows about the tough situation in Washington, and even admitted that the team is no longer his anymore and he is just going to help develop Wall and move on.  Yet he still says whatever comes to mind to the media, which ultimately gets him in trouble with the team and the league.  

The Wizards organization needs to let Gil know that in order to further his declining career, he needs to stop giving the media what they want; and that is a player that expresses however they feel so it can be a top headliner the next day.

Gil is a smart person, and I'm pretty sure he will understand.

Advertise Him Around D.C. Again

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PHOENIX - DECEMBER 19: Gilbert Arenas #0 of the Washington Wizards hanldles the ball during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on December 19, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Wizards 121-95. NOTE TO USER: User expr

One thing that was very important about Gil before the suspension was his marketability, his story to becoming the player he now is an amazing one that motivates individuals to keep trying, and was often used as a marketing tool.  

When Gil got suspended last year, the Wizards took all the Gilbert Arenas jerseys off the racks and took down the big banner outside of the Verizon Center with Gil being displayed on it.  Believe it or not, NBA owners love players that can bring some money into the building; and trust me, Gil will do just that.

By the way, there have been rumors to Gil getting a shoe deal with Under Armour, but those were shot down...although Under Armour did make custom shoes for Gil.

Show Commercials Like...

These commercials weren't the best, but definitely highlighted the down-falls in professional athletes on their way up to stardom.  I highly doubt that Addias will sign Arenas to a shoe deal after all the drama he has been through, but when he does (assuming he will), he needs to have one of those commercials that make people want to search for it on YouTube millions of times.

Hey, it worked for Tiger Woods controversial commercial after he was caught cheating on his wife with a handful of women, and it worked for Lebron after all the criticism he received after his public "Decision" to leave Cleveland for Miami.

Why can't it work for Gil?

Make Him Give a Public Apology to Wizards Fans

Last year, team captain Antawn Jamison apologized on behalf of Gilbert Arenas' mistakes...very classy.  But it would have a larger meaning if the man who made the mistake would swallow his pride and make an apology.  

I was one of the fans who actually expected an apology from Gil much like Jamison, but it didn't turn out that way.  I think that if he publicly apologized, teams that may have a small interest in him will grow on him knowing that he learned from his mistakes and really feels for the people who believed in him all these years.

He would also set a good example for the young fellas on the Wizards squad who just one day may become all-stars.(Wall, Blatche, McGee)

Let Him Display His Skills Until the Trade Deadline At Least

The most important way to boost his trade value is under the control of Hibachi himself.  The way he plays factors into the amount of teams that look at him and trade offers the Wiz may receive.  After his 30 point game against Chicago, he showed that he still has his shooting touch from his old form.

His ability to take over games could boost his trade value, but could also decrease the demand for a trade from Washington.  The Wiz have already said that Gil is on the team and will remain on the team this year.  If Gil shows glimpses of his old form, then the Wiz could possibly be major contenders for the Melo sweepstakes; that will most likely occur at the All-Star Break this year.

Right now, the Wiz are in a good position, in terms of Gil's production, after the Bulls game and could now be praying that the hot streak for Gil won't end.