Two sources close to Ernie Grunfeld told The New York Post on July 19 that the Wizards GM was confident forward Jared Jeffries would return to Washington because Grunfeld planned on matching any mid-level offer and did not foresee another team surpassing that reasonable price.

A third source within the Wizards organization confirmed yesterday Grunfeld hoped to match the Knicks' offer for the full $5.2 million mid-level exception. Across five years, that's $30 million. The Wizards would still be under the luxury-tax threshold, meaning they wouldn't have to pay double that amount like the Knicks.

Grunfeld did not return phone calls yesterday, but confirmed the offer sheet signed Friday has arrived.

"We have received an offer sheet and we have seven days to respond," Grunfeld said in a statement.

The Wizards recently offered Jeffries a comparable six-year, $33 million pact. The only slight glitch would be if Miller convinces Grunfeld that Jeffries will be miserable playing for the Wizards.

But that does not seem to be the case. Jeffries had a good conversation with the Wizards brass since the signing, according to his agent.

Miller has been outspoken on Jeffries' wish to play for the Knicks, but was noncommittal when asked directly yesterday if his client would be unhappy returning to the Wizards.

"That's hard to say," Miller said. "We spent 31/2 weeks trying to get a deal done with Washington. Then we tried what Jared was most comfortable with, his relationship with Isiah Thomas, whom he's known since he was 12. We signed the sheet with intentions of playing for the Knicks."