I don’t understand all this speculation about Gilbert — *of course* he opts out in order to sign his biggest career contract. He’d be an idiot not to! For that matter, *of course* he wants to play for a championship contender and to get a ring — every motivated player does.

But, it ain’t easy to win a championship, and there’s no reason to think that anyone else who would court him would give him a better chance for a ring (remember that salary cap thing guys?).

Moreover, Gil needs to be in a particular kind of system, and he needs it to be built around him. Gilbert is a wonderful basketball player and, even more important, a truly exceptional person. I’d miss him if he went to another team, but this announcement does not portend his moving.

I still think Jamison is worth more to us than anyone else and I would hate to see him go. He’s a class act and I think he and Daniels have an excellent influence on the younger guys. He’s also an outstanding offensive player. And I certainly think the Wiz can keep all of the big three. Jamison just needs to take a pay cut in line with Arenas’s pay raise.

Of course, if someone offers us a first-rate center for Jamison, that’s a different story.

This is spot on. For as many “demands” as we fans seem to make of Ernie, sometimes it sounds as though we do not trust him to do the right thing. Maybe it is because we have seen past GMs screw this stuff up…who knows?

I think the most telling comment came from Ernie. EG acknowledged that he was not surprised. It actually sounded like he expected. Knowing Gil, and how classy he is, I would be surprised if he did not go to Ernie prior to making the comments to let him know. That is professional class.

It does not bother me that Gil will opt out. I figured he would. Bottom line is that the two guys on this team that are untouchable are Gil and Caron. I trust that EG sees the future in these two. I would put Andray at number 3 on that “untouchable” list, mainly because he is so young and has shown great potential. I think this year will be Jamison’s last. The Wiz will just simply not be able to keep all three under contract. If they draft right this year, Jamison will be expendable. With Pech coming over and Blatche coming on, we could be a nice, young, talented team.

Excellent call – you’ve got to wonder if the times the team passed on Jared & Larry’s big contract demands if it was because Ernie & Co. knew Gilbert’s contract was going to come up sooner or later….

Almost a year ago, Arenas told the Washington Post he’ll take a pay cut if the Wizards get a free agent that’ll make them more competitive. Here’s the story link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/27/AR2006062700788.html

In the same article, the Post reported that a close source to Arenas said he’ll opt out if the team doesn’t make strides. Washington picked up 2 good free agents last year in Stevenson and Songaila. And Ernie Grunfeld did those two moves last year.

So, according to Arenas in 2007, he’s saying the money is really for his family. In my opinion, I don’t think that’s the real reason. I think Arenas already knows the Wizards are going to be about the same again – hence he’s opting out so he doesn’t get stuck in a situation that makes him lose an extra year of his athletic prime.

If the team loses star player after star player in the upcoming years, Ernie is smart enough to rebuild, unlike the previous regime. Rebuilding from scratch takes about 3 years. You just have to trust Ernie. And you have to trust that new talent that may come to Washington will continue to bring the current successes.

Finally, I enjoyed Grunfeld’s response to Arenas’ opt out because it sounded like Ernie already was planning for it. If a GM has foresight, he or she will make an organization sustain strength for years. Basketball is a business, even if fans don’t want the most popular player to wear something else besides a Wizards uniform.

My presumption is that EG will ante up and take the consequences of being limited in the FA’s he can sign. Jamison should be no problem. His new contract would begin the same year that Gil’s does. And if he’s willing to take a jump down (he should) when Arenas takes a jump up we’ll be fine.

We just have to find a center somehow. Maybe Blatche or Pecherov will show up having gained 50 lbs.