Gilbert Arenas-Rashard Lewis Trade: 10 Reasons It Will Work Out in the Future

I waited for Rashard Lewis to play his first game for the Wizards before I talked about the trade that brought him here and sent Gilbert Arenas to Orlando. 

After watching Lewis’ first game as a Wizard, I think this is a trade that will end up working out for both parties involved. 

Arenas definitely needed  a change of scenery, this we know without a doubt. 

Arenas Fits The Magic's Need For a Scoring Point Guard

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ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 18: Orlando Magic General Manager Otis Smith speaks to the media regarding the aquisition of Gilbert Arenas from the Washington Wizards, Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu, and Earl Clark from the Phoenix Suns at Amway Arena on Decemb

For one, Arenas will be reunited with Orlando GM Otis Smith, a friend and mentor from his days at Golden State. 

He’s also joining a team that still has enough time to contend for the Championship, plus his skills fit what Orlando needs right now. 

He’s a tweener guard, that is a skilled scorer while also being a solid player with the ball in his hands. 

That kind of skill set will mesh well with new arrival Jason Richardson and players like Dwight Howard.

The Rebuild Continues With Rashard Lewis

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BOSTON - MAY 24: Rashard Lewis #9 of the Orlando Magic attempts a shot against Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on May 24, 2010 in Boston, Massachuset

Washington, on the other hand, gets a seasoned frontcourt veteran with no baggage, the ability to shoot the three, and a player that—hopefully—can help develop Washington’s duo of talented—but raw—big men.

This coupled with the return of Josh Howard, and Nick Young being on fire lately will help the Wizards develop their young talent while creating more financial flexibility in the coming years. 

Josh Howard's Return Bolsters The Wizards Veteran Presence

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WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 18: Josh Howard #5 of the Washington Wizards shoots a jump shot against the Miami Heat at the Verizon Center on December 18, 2010 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and o

The return of Josh Howard bolsters the veteran influence on the team without the immaturity. 

Gil was never suited to be a leader.  He's now in a situation where he's not that—or a savior.  He's just a piece on a Championship contending team. 

Josh Howard gets to get healthy and if he comes back next year, he might have a chip on his shoulder and goad a young team into surprising people.

Nick Youngs Emergence Will Make Up For Arena's Scoring Output

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WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 18: Nick Young #1 of the Washington Wizards rests during a break in the game against the Miami Heat at the Verizon Center on December 18, 2010 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by down

Nick Young has lead the team in scoring the last five games.  He will be able to cover for Gilbert's scoring and has younger legs. 

Maybe like Andray Blatche last year, Young just needed more exposure to showcase his talents. 

At this point he looks like he can be the team's primary scorer.

The Wizards Get More Financial Freedom Down The Road

Mo Money

The trade essentially swaps a three-year, $62 million contract for a two-year, $44 Million contract.  This gives the Wiz better flexibility down the road to chase free agents or sign high draft picks.

John Wall and Kirk Hinrich Can Exclusively Handle The Point Now

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 07: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards blocks a shot by Derek Fisher (L) #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half at Staples Center on December 7, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Wizards 115-

Now Wall and Hinrich should exclusively run the point and the Wiz should let Young start at Shooting Guard.  This will give them a more balanced lineup most of the time. 

Both Wall and Hinrich are better facilitators than scorers right now. 

Arenas needed to be both to be the best he can be.

Lewis Will Develop Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee

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NEW ORLEANS - MARCH 31: JaVale McGee #34 of the Washington Wizards attempts a shot over David West #30 of the New Orleans Hornets at New Orleans Arena on March 31, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that

John Wall has a true point guard to show him the ropes. 

Plus, I'd argue he has more talent than McGee and Blatche. 

For that reason, the big men need a veteran to learn from more than Wall does.  Before this trade the Wizards were devoid of this piece. 

Now they have him.

This Trade Gives The Wizards a More Balanced Roster Overall

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MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 29: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat shoots during a game against the Washington Wizards at American Airlines Arena on November 29, 2010 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and

Now the Wizards have three. true PG's in Wall, Hinrich, and Lester Hudson while also possessing a myriad of players capable of playing Shooting Guard through Center. 

When Yi Jianlian comes back they will be even more balanced.

Gilbert Needed a Change Of Scenery

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WASHINGTON - MARCH 26: NBA player Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards arrives at District of Columbia Court March 26, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Wizards star will receive his sentence today for bringing guns into the locker room. (Photo by Mark Wil

We all knew it was coming. 

How could Arenas ever live up to past accomplishments here while also recovering from a bad knee and dubious decisions? 

The answer is he couldn't, and he also knew he was just playing on borrowed time. 

Now. I'm sure he feels comfortable, wanted, and is around a couple of familiar faces. He's also in a place without expectations—

Obviously none other than not making stupid decisions.

A Change In Personalities

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TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 22: Forward Rashard Lewis #9 of the Orlando Magic warms up prior to the NBA preseason game against the Miami Heat at the St. Pete Times Forum on October 22, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

The biggest part of this trade wasn't financial.

To me it was that the Wiz got rid of a player that was in a leadership role but never seemed to be a leader, while gaining a player that seems like he can step in to fill that void for a young squad. 

Where Arenas is going it's Dwight Howard's team.  All Gil has to do is step in pass the ball, drive to the hoop, and hit threes.