Mike Bibby: He Is Right to Leave Wizards in Order to Play on NBA Title Contender

In what can only be described as a stunning turn of events, Mike Bibby and the Washington Wizards have agreed to a buyout in which Bibby will forfeit his entire salary for next season.

Bibby was scheduled to make $6.2 million next season playing with Washington, but apparently at this stage in Mike’s career, the 12-year NBA veteran had no interest in playing on a floundering Wizards squad that has only won 15 games thus far this season.

Bibby’s agent David Falk said that this decision wasn’t made on a basis of money and that Bibby is interested in playing on a championship-caliber ballclub.

"He sacrificed some money in order to win a championship," said Falk. "Once you're past 10, 11 years in the league, you want to be in a situation where you can win. He's got some attractive options open to him."

According to an ESPN article, sources say the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers all have interest in signing Bibby. No decision has been made yet regarding his future destination, but the early word from one source is that he will sign with Miami.

Bibby has amassed many accolades throughout the course of his career, but an NBA championship is one achievement that has eluded the former Arizona Wildcat.

There is no question that $6.2 million is a lot of cash to leave on the table, but you can’t fault him for not wanting to play the “veteran mentor” role for John Wall while these young Wizards struggle through their growing pains.

Bibby will maintain his relevance as a member of the Heat, Lakers or Celtics rather than slip into relative obscurity over the final phase of his career in Washington.

Bibby’s 9.1 points and 3.6 assists per game aren’t awe inspiring numbers, but the steady veteran could serve as the final piece that one of these championship contending clubs needs to put them over the top.

Let’s pretend that the aforementioned source is ultimately right and that Bibby does sign with the Heat.

In this scenario, Bibby would handle the point guard duties with the younger Mario Chalmers and provide the Heat with another proven veteran that has an ample amount of playoff experience.

At age 32, Bibby no longer is a game-changing acquisition that can elevate a franchise to another level, but with that being said, there is still gas left in his tank.

These teams that are interested in acquiring Bibby won’t ask him to be spectacular. Instead they will ask him to be a solid role player that makes good decisions at point guard which is a task that Bibby is certainly capable of handling.

There may be some Wizards fans who will take this decision as a slap in the face, but ultimately this move came down to Bibby wanting to make one last serious charge at an NBA championship and you cannot fault the man for doing that.

Whether Bibby ultimately plays in South Beach, Los Angeles or Boston, it will be a win-win for both the player and the franchise. Not only that, but it could turn out to be the acquisition that puts a franchise that is on the cusp of greatness over the top.