RedskinPride27
June-27th-2006, 09:31 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/27/AR2006062700788.html
To Win, Arenas Says He'll Take a Pay Cut
Wizards to Offer Jordan a New Contract
By Ivan Carter
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 28, 2006; E01
Guard Gilbert Arenas said yesterday that he is willing to take a pay cut if it would enable the Washington Wizards to sign a free agent who would make the team more competitive.
Meanwhile, the Wizards will attempt to make sure Arenas gets to play for the coach he wants. Arenas has been a vocal supporter of Coach Eddie Jordan, and Wizards President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld said yesterday that the team plans to offer Jordan a contract extension that would keep him from leaving when his contract expires after next season.
Two days after the Washington Times reported that sources close to Arenas said he would consider opting out of his contract after the 2008 season if the Wizards had not gotten closer to contending for a championship, Arenas stopped short of repeating that threat but said he does not want to wind up like other NBA all-stars who have never won a title.
"My whole thing is, the draft is coming up, free agency is coming up and I have to show some concern," said Arenas, who signed a six-year, $65 million contract in 2003. "We can't step back. We can't have another situation where we let Larry Hughes get away. If we have to go get a free agent, let's go. I'll take a pay cut. I was a second-round pick so I didn't expect to be where I am anyway. I'm not greedy but I do want to win a championship and I want to do it here, with the Wizards. That's why you play."
Click on the link for the rest of the article.
To Win, Arenas Says He'll Take a Pay Cut
Wizards to Offer Jordan a New Contract
By Ivan Carter
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 28, 2006; E01
Guard Gilbert Arenas said yesterday that he is willing to take a pay cut if it would enable the Washington Wizards to sign a free agent who would make the team more competitive.
Meanwhile, the Wizards will attempt to make sure Arenas gets to play for the coach he wants. Arenas has been a vocal supporter of Coach Eddie Jordan, and Wizards President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld said yesterday that the team plans to offer Jordan a contract extension that would keep him from leaving when his contract expires after next season.
Two days after the Washington Times reported that sources close to Arenas said he would consider opting out of his contract after the 2008 season if the Wizards had not gotten closer to contending for a championship, Arenas stopped short of repeating that threat but said he does not want to wind up like other NBA all-stars who have never won a title.
"My whole thing is, the draft is coming up, free agency is coming up and I have to show some concern," said Arenas, who signed a six-year, $65 million contract in 2003. "We can't step back. We can't have another situation where we let Larry Hughes get away. If we have to go get a free agent, let's go. I'll take a pay cut. I was a second-round pick so I didn't expect to be where I am anyway. I'm not greedy but I do want to win a championship and I want to do it here, with the Wizards. That's why you play."
Click on the link for the rest of the article.