NBA Rumors: Why the New Jersey Nets Must Avoid Gilbert Arenas Signing

According to ESPN's Chris Broussard, the Nets will be willing to accommodate Gilbert Arena's desire to follow Dwight Howard wherever he goes. 

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Nets will attempt to sign Arenas if they able to trade for Dwight Howard, source says

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I hate to use this metaphor, because it's so incredibly appropriate that it actually becomes inappropriate, but this is like bringing an unloaded gun into the locker room.

First, let's be real: we're talking about Gilbert Arenas here. This isn't the '05 or '06 version of Arenas—it's the 2011 version of Arenas. Lat year, he averaged 10.3 points and 3.9 assists. We're not talking about an awful lot that he brings from a basketball stand point. 

What he does bring is an inordinate amount of risk. He brings a penchant for team disruption. 

Enter Dwight Howard, the proverbial ammo to the aforementioned unloaded gun. Having just thrown a hissy fit to the press in reaction to the way that Otis Smith wasn't making the personnel moves, is the best thing to do really to start with him dictating the shots on his new team?

Every decision is about a risk-reward. Generally speaking, if the reward outweighs the risk, you consider it. Here, the risk-reward is almost comically on the side of risk. Why risk so much for a player who's going to give you 20 points and three dimes a game? It hardly seems wroth it. 

The Nets need to avoid making this mistake. Just say "no" to Gilbert Arenas.