Gilbert Arenas: 10 Best Trade Destinations for Agent Zero to Rehab Career
Things haven't exactly been peachy for Gilbert Arenas since last December, when he brought guns into the locker room to allegedly confront teammate Javaris Crittenton over an unpaid gambling debt.
For his actions, Arenas was sentenced to 30 days in a halfway house, two years probation, and 400 hours of community service.
Not to mention a 50-game suspension and a loss of reportedly $7.5 million in salary and a lucrative Adidas contract.
This year was supposed to be his rebuilding year, the year he rose back to the spotlight based on play, not guns.
However, he returned to find a rookie by the name of John Wall, who instantaneously stole his thunder the moment he stepped on the basketball court.
Arenas started the season on the bench, but has been starting lately, and his numbers aren't bad: 17.5 points, 2.3 threes, 5.4 assists and 1.4 steals in 19 games this season.
He's starting to get regular minutes again, but he has even admitted the shift to Wall, saying, "I know my time here is over."
It's time for Gilbert to move on. But to where?
Here are the 10 Best Trade Destinations for Agent Zero to Rehab His Career.
And yes, this is hypothetical, and yes, I know it's going to be hard to move a contract like that.
10. Los Angeles Clippers
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Where do point guards with questionable work ethic and questionable teamwork go?
To the Clippers, of course.
That's a shot at point guard Baron Davis, if you were wondering.
B. Diddy has shown he's not the answer in L.A., and despite him leading one of the most improbable upsets in NBA history against the Dallas Mavericks in 2007 when he was with Golden State, he has highly disappointed for the Clippers, who actually have him playing 23 minutes per game now.
They've gotta be desperate for a legit point guard right now. I just don't know if they'd have the trade pieces to make it work (and no, they aren't trading Blake Griffin).
9. Charlotte Bobcats
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I only have Gilbert this far down at No. 9 in Charlotte because I don't think the Wizards would want to trade away the talented guard to a team in their own division.
But the Bobcats probably are getting tired of shooting guard Stephen Jackson, who, despite playing good ball on the court, is always a pain in the side for any team, from his constant complaining to his propensity for getting ejected at any moment (just ask Golden State Warriors fans).
I'm sure Charlotte would welcome a swap, but I don't know if Washington would.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves
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FYI, you aren't going to see many winning teams on this list because I don't think a lot of teams that are doing well are going to take a chance on a loose cannon (no pun intended).
The Minnesota Timberwolves, my friends, are not doing well.
They are in last place in the Northwest Division as of this writing and are 6-18.
Take your pick: Luke Ridnour, Sebastian Telfair, Wes Johnson, Wayne Ellington.
Arenas is far superior to any of these players.
The Timberwolves would welcome this trade in a heartbeat.
But, as with the Clippers, I don't see a lot of pieces in Minnesota that would be to Washington's liking.
7. Milwaukee Bucks
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The Bucks have two shooting guards that were supposed to not only be solid, but give them good depth at the position.
As of now, both John Salmons and Corey Maggette have not played well for the Bucks in 2010.
I'd think that the Bucks would gladly trade these two, plus something else, for Arenas.
6. Houston Rockets
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As of this writing, the Rockets are in last place in the Southwest Division at 9-14.
Surely not what they were expecting coming into the season.
Kyle Lowry is a decent, but not great, point guard for the Rockets.
I think it's safe to say they would replace him with Arenas on a dime.
They also have some players in Jordan Hill, Chase Budinger and Brad Miller that I would think would be good trade pieces to throw into the deal.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
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I know, I know, Cavaliers fans probably are a little wary of guys with egos these days (with good reason).
But bringing in a high-level talent such as Arenas to Cleveland would make them a better basketball team, not to mention give them a spike in revenue.
Shooting guard Anthony Parker hasn't been all that great, and although Daniel Gibson has turned some heads off the bench this season, the fact remains: The Cavaliers do not have a star.
Despite Arenas taking a back seat to Wall in Washington, Wizards coaches have said he has indeed been a more committed and determined ball player this season.
A committed and determined Arenas with a new chance in a city desperate for a star could be just the ticket.
4. Memphis Grizzlies
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O.J. Mayo seems to have fallen out of favor in Memphis, averaging 29 minutes per game this season for the Grizzlies.
However, the young shooting guard is indeed talented, and could have some draw in Washington.
By the looks of things, the Grizzlies would bear-hug a deal for Arenas, and a tandem of Mike Conley and Gilbert Arenas looks pretty nice on paper for a team trying to get out of the cellar.
Is O.J. Mayo's fist clenched in this picture or am I just seeing things?
3. Philadelphia 76ers
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There's no question about the 76ers looking for potential trade partners for small forward Andre Iguodala.
It's clear they don't see him leading the team to the promised land, especially these days, as Iguodala is having a bit of a down year.
Enter Gilbert Arenas. He would be a viable replacement talent-wise, and the 76ers don't exactly have a star in the backcourt beyond Jrue Holiday.
A package involving Louis Williams, Jodie Meeks and the No. 2 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, Evan Turner, could make something happen.
2. New York Knicks
9 of 10
Sure, the Knicks have clearly established they are a team on the rise.
But just imagine what a tandem of Amar'e Stoudemire and Arenas could do.
And I've gotta think Arenas would be all for this, thrust into a big basketball city with plenty of exposure and given a chance to redeem himself on a big stage.
Landry Fields is an expendable shooting guard for the Knicks.
1. New Jersey Nets
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The New Jersey Nets have got to be getting desperate right about now...I mean, even more desperate than they've always been.
They're 6-18, they lost out on the LeBron and Amar'e sweepstakes, and they haven't been able to land a star on the market at all.
The only way a star is going to go to this city is if he has no other choice and has to resurrect his career.
Bingo. Gilbert.
A Devin Harris-Gilbert Arenas one-two punch wouldn't be so bad.
Nets shooting guard Anthony Morrow has proven he's more fitted shooting threes off the bench than as a regular starter.
