Wizards: Washington Blows More Money, And Dan Snyder Had Nothing To Do With It!
How is this for iro-knee?
No go for "Agent Zero."
Gilbert Arenas had his third knee operation and is now expected to make his return to the Washington Wizards in December. That would be a $111 million dollar "whoops" on the part of the Wizards. Not being able for training camp and obviously now out for the first month of the season, "Agent Zero" has caused indigestion for Wizards fans in Washington once again.
Everybody loves him in DC but they should think about moving on. They had the money, obviously they blew it on him, and there were many free agents available that could have taken his place. They could have thrown money Baron Davis' way, or Elton Brand. But did they? No. Now they are again without star power for some of the regular season.
Antwan Jamison and Caron Butler are a great one-two punch in the forward positions but where they have both really been able to shine would be if they could take a step down a position. Move Jamison back to SF, take Butler down to SG. They have Etan Thomas, who is more naturally a PF. They draft JaVale McGee from Nevada in the first round to get a seven footer with an impressive wingspan. Like it or not they still have Antonio Daniels who is not a SG but a natural PG. He should be more of a ring-leader for the offensive attack.
I'm not saying he should shoot the ball a lot because he shouldn't. He should stand at the top of the key and work the offense and pass the ball while the rest of the team goes to work. Maybe they could sign Damon Stoudamire from the Spurs. He is an old veteran that knows how to play the point. He started for years in Portland, Toronto and Memphis with well over 5700 career assists. How about Sam Cassell? He is an unrestricted free agent from the Celtics. Or Ben Gordon, the restricted free agent from the Bulls. Gordon would want big money but I think it would be a better deal to give him the cash than keep a prolonging knee problem in Arenas. At 6-3, Gordon would be a perfect fit for the Wizards offense. I could see the lineup going like this:
PG: Ben Gordon
SG: Caron Butler
SF: Antwan Jamison
PF: Etan Thomas
C: Brendan Haywood/JaVale McGee (whoever shows more promise during camp. I would let Haywood take the licks for the first half of the season then sit him once McGee is used to the NBA, maybe bring him in after the All-Star Game and rotate their minutes regularly so they don't get to worn down. Or maybe do that throughout the season so they can compete thoroughly. McGee would get tip off and third quarter. Haywood would get 2nd and 4th when you need a veteran who won't get freaked out by the clock.)
When Arenas is healthy there is no doubt he is an exciting player to watch that could sink a three at the buzzer on you in a heartbeat but three knee surgeries in seventeen months leads me to speculate.
