March 2010 Washington Wizards Wiretap

Hughes: Arenas Will Be Back With Wizards

Jan 31, 2010 10:28 AM

Knicks guard Larry Hughes, a former teammate of Gilbert Arenas, believes that the suspended star will be back with the Wizards.

Arenas has been suspended for the remainder of the season by the NBA in the aftermath of a felony gun charge.

"Honestly I do," Hughes said Saturday. "This is a special place. When you've played here and the city gets behind you, you realize what the fans want, what the city wants. I think he'll come to realize that. I can see it."

There has been speculation that Arenas and the Wizards will agree to a buyout on the remainder of his six-year, $111 million contract or trade him.

"You get in trouble, you're mad at the authority but I think it will blow over," Hughes continued. "I can see him back here. Fans love him here. I haven't been in the city to know what's been said about him. But the time I was here and even when I came back with Cleveland, they love him. Obviously, he'll have to get out and speak about what's going on, but I don't think they'll hold a grudge against him."

Washington Post

Tags: Larry Hughes, Gilbert Arenas, New York Knicks, Washington Wizards, NBA

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Sources: Wizards, Rockets Discussing Deal

Jan 31, 2010 10:09 AM

The Wizards and Rockets have continued to discuss a possible trade centered around Tracy McGrady, according to NBA front-office sources.

However, nothing is imminent and the two sides continue to talk with other teams ahead of the Feb. 18 trade deadline.

McGrady was granted an indefinite leave from the Rockets in December after his representatives and Houston management mutually agreed to pursue a trade that would find a new home for him.

Sources told ESPN.com that the Rockets have expressed interest in acquiring forward Caron Butler and center Brendan Haywood from the Wizards.

ESPN

Tags: Tracy McGrady, Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, NBA

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Saunders: Wizards Fighting Through Distractions

Jan 30, 2010 10:24 AM

Wizards coach Flip Saunders believes that the team has closed the door on the season-long suspensions of Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton.

"Just because there's closure I don't think things change in 24 hours but I think over the long run you try to get some normalcy," Saunders said Friday night.

"Someone asked about distractions," the coach continued. "That distraction is over but we seem to dominate with trade rumors and everything else so those are distractions from a player's standpoint that you have to deal with."

A majority of Washington's players have been mentioned in trade rumors due to both the Arenas saga and their 15-30 record.

"We have to understand no matter where you're at and where the record is, you're still professionals and we are entertainers when we step on the floor there are some 8 or 9 years old on the rail and this might be the only NBA game they watch, so you have an obligation as a performer to go out and play at a high level to have an impact on those individuals," Saunders said.

ESPN

Tags: Gilbert Arenas, Javaris Crittenton, Washington Wizards, NBA

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Kobe-LeBron Ad Features Gun Slang

Jan 29, 2010 2:35 PM

An advertisement featuring Kobe Bryant and LeBron James includes a gun reference.

The ad, just inside the inside cover of this week's Sports Illustrated, appears the same week Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton were suspended for carrying firearms to the locker room.

The players appear along with the slogan, "Prepare For Combat," is a quote from each player showing how tough he is.

Bryant's blurb says: "I'll do whatever it takes to win games. I don't leave anything in the chamber."

ESPN

Tags: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, NBA

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Wizards Wanted Rudy And Batum From Portland For Haywood

Jan 29, 2010 11:57 AM

Portland expressed interest in acquiring Washington center Brendan Haywood, but the asking price was far too high.

The Wizards wanted both Rudy Fernandez and Nicolas Batum in exchange for Haywood.

ESPN

Tags: Nicolas Batum, Rudy Fernandez, Brendan Haywood, Portland Trail Blazers, Washington Wizards, NBA

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Wizards Don't Expect To Get Equal Value In Trades

Jan 29, 2010 6:10 AM

The Wizards are expected to be active in the trade market in the coming weeks and a source told the Washington Post that they aren't likely to get equal value in deals.

Washington is looking for salary cap relief, young players and/or draft picks in trades.

Players such as Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and Mike Miller have been receiving attention on the market.

"I'd use my assets to get off salary and try to restructure the whole thing," one Western Conference general manager said. "It didn't work. Push the reset button and try to create as much room as possible."

Washington Post

Tags: Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood, Antawn Jamison, Mike Miller, Washington Wizards, NBA

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Grunfeld: If Arenas Wants To Get Paid, He Has To Play

Jan 28, 2010 11:23 AM

There has been speculation that the Wizards would try to terminate Gilbert Arenas's deal under the "moral turpitude" clause in the Uniform Player Contract.  But multiple sources claim that the team has not discussed that option, even though it hasn't been completely ruled out.

Arenas also has intimated to friends, the NBA and legal representatives that he has no desire to play for Grunfeld again, according to a person familiar with Arenas's situation. "Well, he doesn't play for me. He plays for the coach, so I'm not reacting to those situations at all," Grunfeld said. "He is under contract, and if he wants to get paid, he has to play. I don't have much reaction about that situation."

Washington Post

Tags: Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards, NBA

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Jamison Expects To Remain With Wizards

Jan 28, 2010 10:21 AM

Antawn Jamison's name has frequently appeared in rumor mills, but he is anticipating remaining with the Wizards.

"I'm not going anywhere until they let my agent know," Jamison said. "I got a pretty good relationship with [the Wizards' front office], and all things pointing forward is being here until my contract is over with, so that's my mind-frame."

Jamison signed a four-year extension in June 2008 reportedly worth $50 million.

"I've been playing for a while, and I know how rumors get started, trade rumors, this and that nature," Jamison said, "but those guys have been looking at me in my face, and pretty much everything is staying put."

Published reports suggest the Cavaliers are a potential suitor for Jamison and that the asking price is Zydrunas Ilgauskas, J.J. Hickson and a first-round pick. Cleveland is one of the NBA's only legitimate title contenders.

"That's the only thing I think about is winning a title," Jamison said. "That's the reason why I'm still playing. That's the reason why I'm still going hard. It's the only thing that drives me and pushes me, so it's the only thing left I have to accomplish, and I'm going to continue to do that."

Washington Post

Tags: Antawn Jamison, Cleveland Cavaliers, Washington Wizards, NBA

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Arenas, Crittenton Suspended For Remainder Of Season

Jan 27, 2010 3:15 PM

Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton have each been suspended for the remainder of the 2009-10 season, the NBA announced in a press release to RealGM and other media outlets.

Arenas asked commissioner David Stern for the suspension during their Wednesday meeting.

According to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Arenas also told Stern that he would tell the players' union not to fight the suspension.

The same source said that during the meeting, Arenas asked Stern about the possibility of having the remaining four years of his six-year $111 million contract voided, to which Stern replied, "That would be left up to the team."

According to a source, Arenas has intimated to friends, as well the NBA that he no longer wishes to play for Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld again.

“The NBA has conducted a thorough investigation of events relating to this matter," said Stern in a press release.
 
“It is not disputed that, following an argument on the team’s flight home from a game in Phoenix, both Mr. Arenas and Mr. Crittenton brought guns to the Verizon Center locker room and – with other players and team personnel present or nearby – displayed them to one another in a continuation of their dispute.   The players engaged in this conduct despite a specific rule set forth in the collective bargaining agreement between the NBA and the Players Association prohibiting players from possessing a weapon at an NBA facility, and reminders of this prohibition given annually by the NBA to players both in writing and in person.

“The issue here is not about the legal ownership and possession of guns, either in one’s home or elsewhere.  It is about possession of guns in the NBA workplace, which will not be tolerated.

“I have met separately with Mr. Arenas and with Mr. Crittenton.  Both have expressed remorse for their actions and an understanding of the seriousness of their transgressions.  Both have volunteered to engage in community service in order to turn the lessons they have learned into an educational message for others.  I accept fully the sincerity of their expressions of regret and intent to create something positive from this incident.

“Nevertheless, there is no justification for their conduct.  Accordingly, I am today converting Mr. Arenas' indefinite suspension without pay to a suspension without pay for the remainder of the 2009-10 season, and am also suspending Mr. Crittenton without pay, effective immediately, for the remainder of the 2009-10 season.”

The Washington Wizards also released an official statement:

"The NBA announced today that they have suspended Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton for the remainder of the season.  We understand and fully support their decision.  

"Both players violated D.C. laws and NBA rules by bringing guns into the locker room.  Their poor judgment has also violated the trust of our fans and stands in contrast to everything Abe Pollin stood for throughout his life.  It is widely known that Mr. Pollin took the extraordinary step of changing the team name from “Bullets” to “Wizards” in 1997 precisely to express his abhorrence of gun violence in our community.  We hope that this negative situation can produce something positive by serving as a reminder that gun violence is a serious issue.

"We look forward to putting this unfortunate incident behind us and once again focusing our full attention on playing exciting basketball in front of our great fans at Verizon Center."

Washington Post

Tags: Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards, NBA

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Arenas Meeting With Stern

Jan 27, 2010 12:02 PM

Gilbert Arenas will meet with David Stern on Wednesday for the first time since his December gun incident, sources close to the situation confirmed to ESPN.

Arenas is expected to be accompanied by his legal team and NBA Players Association chief Billy Hunter.

The New York Daily News reported on Wednesday morning that sources indicate Arenas will not receive a lifetime ban.

ESPN

Tags: Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards, NBA

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Wizards May Not Want To Help Cavs Via Trade

News-Herald

Crittenton Charged With Two Gun Counts

Washington Post

Jamison Insists That He's 'Fine'

Washington Post

Mike James: I've Never Been Treated Like This

Bullets Forever

Source: Wizards Unlikely To Trade Haywood

Twitter (Chris Tomasson)

Sources: Arenas To Learn Fate By End Of Next Week

ESPN

Wizards Unlikely To Get Equal Value In Trades

Washington Post

Arenas Braces For Possibility Of Having Contract Voided

Wall Street Journal

Smith Dismisses Arenas Rumors

Orlando Sentinel

Saunders Gets 600th Win After Rough Week

ESPN

Orlando Could Become Gilbert's Landing Spot

ESPN

Knicks Don't Dismiss Notion Of Dealing For Arenas

ESPN

Adidas Ends Relationship With Arenas

NBC New York

Wizards 'Deeply Saddened And Disappointed' In Gilbert's Actions

Press Release

Wizards Players Expecting Fire Sale

Washington Post

Arenas, Wizards Could Be On Irreconcilable Ground

Washington Post

Arenas Reaches Plea Deal

Washington Post

Police Find No Gun At Crittenton's Home

CBSSports.com

Arenas Charged With Felony Gun Possession

Washington Post

Arenas In Plea Negotiations To Ensure No Jail Time

Washington Post