Wizards re-sign Jamison to pave way for Arenas

July 1, 2008

Antawn Jamison is back in the Washington Wizards' fold. Now it's time to focus on Gilbert Arenas.

The Wizards achieved a major free-agency goal yesterday when Jamison, a two-time All-Star forward, signed a four-year, $50 million contract. The deal does more than retain the team's co-captain and leading scorer from last season: It serves as an expensive piece of bait to lure Arenas, who had said he would not return unless the team also kept his longtime friend.

"He said he'd take less money if they got me, and they got me," Jamison told the Associated Press. "So I think everything will get worked out with Gilbert."

Jamison, 32, has averaged at least 19.6 points and 7.6 rebounds each year since his arrival in Washington in 2004. Last season was perhaps the best in his 10-year NBA career - 21.4 points per game and a career-high 10.2 rebounds - as he and Caron Butler helped lead the Wizards to a fourth consecutive playoff berth while Arenas was injured.

Jamison previously played five seasons with the Golden State Warriors and one with the Dallas Mavericks. His career averages are 19.6 points and 7.9 rebounds.

"There wasn't any doubt in my mind that I'd be back," he said.

The Wizards will hold a news conference for Jamison today.

• Warriors // Point guard Baron Davis chose to become a free agent, opting out of the final year of his contract with Golden State in a surprise move. Davis had until last night to decide whether to turn down his $17.8 million contract for next season, the final year of a six-year deal. Davis averaged 21.8 points and 7.6 assists while playing all 82 games last season for the Warriors.

• Bulls // His name and face were all over the arena, and a highlight video showed Derrick Rose's best college and high school moments. Chicago hopes the trend continues after taking Rose, who grew up on the city's South Side, with the No. 1 pick in last week's draft, even though the Bulls continue to preach patience. "We can't sit up here and throw the weight of the world on him," general manager John Paxson said at Rose's introductory news conference. Instead, they threw a No. 1 jersey on the former Memphis point guard, giving him a uniform number to match his draft spot and his position.

• Et cetera // The Lakers have given qualifying offers to restricted free agents Sasha Vujacic and Ronny Turiaf, general manager Mitch Kupchak said. ... The Timberwolves extended qualifying offers to restricted free agents Ryan Gomes, Craig Smith and Chris Richard and chose to let Sebastian Telfair and Kirk Snyder become unrestricted free agents.

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Wizards re-sign Jamison to pave way for Arenas

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Wizards re-sign Jamison to pave way for Arenas

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