Arenas Traded for Rashard Lewis

[Jaxfann]

Can we make it a Wiz board rule to refer to Lewis as 'Shart' until he proves he worthy of a more dignified name?

Ha ha... +1

Unfortunately Wiz fans you might still be referring to him as "Shart" as long as you have him on your roster based on his play the past couple of years!

[Zonkerbl]

I just cannot believe how we got from miraculously landing Arenas due to salary cap snafu, a top ten player making game winning shots in the playoffs, to fricking Shart Lewis.

God this franchise sucks.

[nate33]

Not thrilled with this move but something had to be done. Arenas in Washington just wasn't going to work. When you have a franchise player at point guard, it just doesn't make any sense to have an oft-injured, under-performing, grossly-paid veteran taking up the other guard slot.

We get out of Gil's contract a year early and the last year of Shard's contract isn't fully guaranteed so I'm okay with this from a monetary standpoint.

From a lineup standpoint, it's not bad. Shard will spread the floor for Wall to drive. He'll help open things up for us.

Maybe this is just the 1st move with more to come...

But it makes sense to have an under-performing, grossly overpaid veteran PF on the roster? 1 year of cap space in the big picture of 4 years is a ridiculous trade off.

Yes, it makes sense because the new grossly overpaid veteran is only owed $50M, not $80M (actually it's $30M versus $60M if you assume a full year lockout in 2011). And the new grossly overpaid vet will be taking minutes from other short-timers who aren't part of the team's future either.

People need to chill out. It is what it is. Management opted for a minor downgrade on the court in exchange for a major upgrade on balance sheet (which significantly improves cap flexibility in 2012 and 2013.) One can debate whether the benefits outweigh the cost, but let's not act like it's some kind of wild, stupid, heinous act of GM malpractice. It's a perfectly logical move.

[Black Eyed Sooz]

Count me among the select few who thinks we good a got deal out of this.

Gil absolutely had to go. He was just killing us on the court with his defense- which was bad even when he was one of the quickest players in the league a few years ago, and now, when he can't make up for that on the offensive end, well that's how you end up starting the season 6-18 and having the other team's backcourt raining 3s and waltzing down the lane whenever they please. Tonight, without him in the lineup, D-Wade shoots 7-19 and Arroyo 1-5 from the field. That is no accident.

Also the importance of clearing his influence and his legacy from the team cannot be overstated. He had to be moved to allow the Wizards to become John Wall's team, and for John Wall to be able to impose his personality in a way that will ultimately make everyone better the way great point guards are supposed to do. What was he going to do when Gil was here- call him out in front of everyone for not D-ing up? Even Flip Saunders wasn't doing that, so how was a 20 year old kid supposed to do it?

Maybe I haven't seen Rashard Lewis play much the last year, but the guy has skills. He was very, very good the year they went deep in the playoffs with him and Turkoglu. The fact that he can hit the 3 with accuracy is something very sorely lacking on the Wiz right now. Sure his contract sucks, but the clock is ticking on it, and he will very soon be a lot easier to move than Gil ever was.

As for Gil- he ends up in a great situation, a homecoming of sorts in Orlando where he will have Superman playing center to cover his defensive woes. But he comes in already with his coach and a lot of people in ownership very unhappy that he is on the team. It will not be easy for him. I hope he wins a title this year with the Magic- I don't think he will ever be close to an all-star again, but he is a good kid who basically resuscitated the Wizards in a lot of ways, and we will miss that.

All in all, we were lucky to get the deal we did for him, and Gil is lucky to be moving onto Orlando. I think it's a win-win situation.

[JonathanJoseph]

Not thrilled with this move but something had to be done. Arenas in Washington just wasn't going to work. When you have a franchise player at point guard, it just doesn't make any sense to have an oft-injured, under-performing, grossly-paid veteran taking up the other guard slot.

We get out of Gil's contract a year early and the last year of Shard's contract isn't fully guaranteed so I'm okay with this from a monetary standpoint.

From a lineup standpoint, it's not bad. Shard will spread the floor for Wall to drive. He'll help open things up for us.

Maybe this is just the 1st move with more to come...

But it makes sense to have an under-performing, grossly overpaid veteran PF on the roster? 1 year of cap space in the big picture of 4 years is a ridiculous trade off.

Yes, it makes sense because the new grossly overpaid veteran is only owed $50M, not $80M (actually it's $30M versus $60M if you assume a full year lockout in 2011). And the new grossly overpaid vet will be taking minutes from other short-timers who aren't part of the team's future either.

People need to chill out. It is what it is. Management opted for a minor downgrade on the court in exchange for a major upgrade on balance sheet (which significantly improves cap flexibility in 2012 and 2013.) One can debate whether the benefits outweigh the cost, but let's not act like it's some kind of wild, stupid, heinous act of GM malpractice. It's a perfectly logical move.

Hold up. For starters, it is much more than a minor downgrade on the court. And whether or not it was a major upgrade on the balance sheet is far from decided and not likely accurate. If you are looking at this from a balance sheet perspective, Rashard Lewis is one of the worst player/contracts in the NBA, so it's difficult to pick him up and say that's it's accretive to the balance sheet by anything other than a technicality.

Let's assume for example that the Wiz held onto Arenas through the season. If he stays healthy and is owed only about 3 years, $60M, he has significantly more trade value than he does today (if only for the balance sheet analysis plus the reduction of health risk). If Arenas is worth pennies on the dollar today, he'd be worth at least $.10 on the dollar if not closer to $.50 with a year of healthy play and less money remaining on his contract, no?

Even then, just trading for someone who didn't tie up $20M in cap space for 3 seasons would have been far, far more accretive to the balance sheet then making this move. Your analysis assumes that this move was the best "balance sheet" move that could be made. Given the way Grunfeld played this hand, I'd say that analysis is extremely flawed. Bottom line is that we just traded a significant asset at its lowest value.

[The Fax]

Looks like Gil is going back to #0. Since Agent 0 is back, this just sort of makes me question his effort this season.

[willbcocks]

"If Arenas is worth pennies on the dollar today, he'd be worth at least $.10 on the dollar if not closer to $.50 with a year of healthy play and less money remaining on his contract, no? "

This was being argued since his suspension last year and was not backed up by reality. He did not improve his value--in fact, he might have even hurt it by making it obvious that he has no chance of returning to all-star caliber play. His value was not going to improve without a change of scenery, and keeping him here longer exposed us to risks related to injury and the development of Wall in the backcourt.

[JonathanJoseph]

"If Arenas is worth pennies on the dollar today, he'd be worth at least $.10 on the dollar if not closer to $.50 with a year of healthy play and less money remaining on his contract, no? "

This was being argued since his suspension last year and was not backed up by reality. He did not improve his value--in fact, he might have even hurt it by making it obvious that he has no chance of returning to all-star caliber play. His value was not going to improve without a change of scenery, and keeping him here longer exposed us to risks related to injury and the development of Wall in the backcourt.

What? That's ridiculous if only from the balance sheet perspective. Back to Nate's point, obviously a player with $60M on his contract is more attractive than a player with $80M remaining on his contract.

And the biggest questions with Arenas were with his health. And if not, then why on earth did we just take on Rashard Lewis' contract?

Rashard Lewis is the 2nd highest paid player in the NBA and has a PER of 11.5. Trading Arenas for Lewis is selling low and buying high. Not a successful formula in any endeavor.

[Cigamodnalro]

Looks like Gil is going back to #0. Since Agent 0 is back, this just sort of makes me question his effort this season.

Nah, Gil is taking #1. Was reported in Orlando media.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Oh-well, Gil had to be shipped-out, not sure how this swap works financially since Lewis is actually paid more. I imagine that we'll have to cut Hamady and pick-up another guard given Wall's injury.
We're in for Kirk 42 minutes a night fellas, yippie!

The Flip supporters will still back him through the losses, closq. Flip could play Hinrich 48 a night and some folks would justify it.

Dang man!

First game Kirk plays all 48.

[willbcocks]

"If Arenas is worth pennies on the dollar today, he'd be worth at least $.10 on the dollar if not closer to $.50 with a year of healthy play and less money remaining on his contract, no? "

This was being argued since his suspension last year and was not backed up by reality. He did not improve his value--in fact, he might have even hurt it by making it obvious that he has no chance of returning to all-star caliber play. His value was not going to improve without a change of scenery, and keeping him here longer exposed us to risks related to injury and the development of Wall in the backcourt.

What? That's ridiculous if only from the balance sheet perspective. Back to Nate's point, obviously a player with $60M on his contract is more attractive than a player with $80M remaining on his contract.

I'm sorry, I'm not following you. Are you referring to the fact that after this year Gilbert will have a year less on his contract? I don't assign that any added value because the same is true of every other contract he would be traded for.

[Ruzious]

Disappointment

[dobrojim]

^ as long as Wall stays hurt (and who knows how long that may be)
it's gonna be Ken and whatever D-league or FA we can pick up.
Just pray it's not the squirrel. Hudson I wouldn't mind considering
he should only play limited min.

[The Fax]

Looks like Gil is going back to #0. Since Agent 0 is back, this just sort of makes me question his effort this season.

Nah, Gil is taking #1. Was reported in Orlando media.

I thought the Magic webpage said he'd wear #0. My bad.

[paulpressey25]

I thought you guys did ok with this trade. A year ago Gil was completely untradable.

Here you at least got a good player, albeit on the decline. But he'll fit in and makes thirty million net less. And now your future (Wall) can breathe.

When Gils knees give out again come February, you will be glad you did this.

[ErikChowbay023]

Gilbert Arenas ecstatic over trade to the Orlando Magic

Gilbert Arenas couldn't stop smiling Saturday night as he talked about his trade to the Orlando Magic.

Arenas arrived at Amway Center at halftime of Orlando's 97-89 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, put on a Magic T-shirt and worked out on the team's practice court.

"This is a new beginning for me," Arenas said. "This is a true new beginning. Going back and changing my number wasn't a new beginning. This is a real new beginning in a new city, new people, a new team. I get to start fresh."

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/o ... ando+Magic)&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

[willbcocks]

I am genuinely happy for Gil. I was never his biggest fan because of the D but he seems like a genuine person and one who really needed a change.

I have no idea how it will work out--look at Jamison to the cavs. But then again look at Butler to the mavs. A lot in this league depends on chemistry, health, and luck, so here's hoping the magic (or mavericks) have it this year and can take down Lebron.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I just hope that this will be the last Ernie Grunfeld trade on the Wizards behalf and that Pritchard will be our GM next year.

Gilbert can help by suddenly finding his game. If he can do like Vick and come back and play well the media will lambaste EG.

Also, Gil can tell his side of how he followed EG's advice and got convicted. He could have shut up, lawyered up, never brought the guns back to DC and very possibly avoided prosecution due to lack of evidence and conflicting testimonies.

The way the Pollin family and EG did him was cold blooded when the context was between teammates in what should have stayed in the lockerroom.

Ted hitched his wagon to EG. We shall see how it all shakes out. EG said Rashard can remind and defend!

[willbcocks]

EG said Rashard can remind and defend!

I am in awe of your achievement in pinpointing and harping on the most mundane detail of the trade.

[RickRoll_inDC]

so, um..... just thought of this now, but probably the MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THIS TRADE: What on earth do I need to change my name to?

OBVIOUSLY GILBERTgoes05 isn't going to work. Anyone have any ideas? And how would one go about changing said name?