The Wizards brought Gilbert Arenas off the bench on Friday night against the Trail Blazers.

John Wall, the No. 1 overall draft pick, was moved back into the starting lineup after coming off the bench because of injury. Kirk Hinrich will also start in the backcourt.

Washington coach Flip Saunders said that Arenas had suggested coming off the bench to assistant Sam Cassell several weeks ago.

"He thought that he could have more of an impact for the team at that point," Saunders said. "I think that when reality came to do that, I don't know if he was so sold on it at that point."

Arenas said he is fine with the reserve role for now, but it may not last as he played so well as a starter. He was a reserve for the first four games of the season as he worked back from an ankle injury.

The Wizards have only started Wall and Arenas together once this season.