The Washington Wizards, in a move to make a major play in free agency, today met with Golden State Warriors free agent guard Gilbert Arenas -- last season's most improved player -- according to sources with knowledge of the talks.

Wizards President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld, Coach Eddie Jordan and assistant coach Phil Hubbard, who was an assistant with the Warriors in Arenas's two seasons there, flew to Los Angeles from Washington this morning to meet with Arenas and his agent.

The trio hoped to sway the rising talent, who averaged 18.3 points and 6.3 assists, started all 82 games and torched the Wizards for a career-high 41 points last season, to join a team where a starting job and a beginning salary of roughly $6.5 million are available. Arenas, the most valuable player of the 2002-03 Rookie Challenge, hoped to join a team where he could earn a first-year salary of at least $7 million, according to a report this summer in the Denver Post.

The Denver Nuggets, with a wealth of salary cap space, were expected to be the perfect match for Arenas. However, the Nuggets bypassed Arenas and are expected to sign Los Angeles Clippers free agent guard Andre Miller to an offer sheet on Wednesday -- the first day teams can sign free agents -- leaving Arenas searching for other options.

The 6-foot-3 Arenas, a former second-round pick, also has drawn the interest of the Clippers, Miami Heat and Warriors, who badly want to retain him but can only offer him a starting salary of roughly $4.8 million because of cap restrictions. The Wizards' available funds could increase -- which could be an even greater lure for Arenas -- should the NBA's salary cap, which is expected to be announced late Tuesday, be more than the projected $41 million to $42 million.

"Everyone is equal," Arenas, 21, told the Denver Post. "I have no favorites."