<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Wizards Look to Next StepJordan's Contract, Jeffries's Status and Defense Top ListBy Ivan CarterWashington Post Staff WriterWednesday, May 10, 2006; Page E05Like Coach Eddie Jordan and such players as Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld feels good about the future of the Washington Wizards.The Wizards have made back-to-back playoff appearances, Arenas is an emerging star and Butler had his best professional season with the Wizards. But all parties agree that the team must improve defensively to earn a better playoff seed and advance deeper in the postseason. Buy This PhotoCaron Butler, left, Gilbert Arenas, right, and Antawn Jamison gave the Wizards the highest-scoring trio in the NBA. But defense still is a concern. (By Preston Keres -- The Washington Post) WIZARDS 2005-06Several questions must be answered in the summer, including Coach Eddie Jordan's contract status.The Wizards head reluctantly into the offseason pondering what might have been.Michael Wilbon: The Wizards are in desperate need of a killer instinct.The Wizards are eliminated after a 114-113 overtime loss to the Cavs.Mike Wise: Five steps the Wizards need to take to become a contender.Gilbert Arenas has found his next source of motivation.Damon Jones makes the most of his opportunity.Notebook: Arenas and Larry Hughes are friends to the end.Posting Up: Getting to close to the bench.PLAYOFF RESULTSGame 1: Cavaliers 97, Wizards 86James becomes the first player since Magic in 1980 to record a triple-double in his playoff debut (32 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists). Box score | PhotosGame 2: Wizards 89, Cavaliers 84Gilbert Arenas scores 30 points and Caron Butler, the primary defender on James, holds him to 26 points on 7-of-25 shooting. James ties a career high with 10 turnovers. Box score | PhotosGame 3: Cavaliers 97, Wizards 96James banks in a four-footer with 5.7 seconds left to cap a 41-point night. Arenas misses an open three-pointer at the buzzer. Box score | PhotosGame 4: Wizards 106, Cavaliers 96Arenas scores 20 points in the fourth quarter (34 total) after a 1-for-9 first half. Box score | PhotosGame 5: Cavs 121, Wizards 120 (OT)James tip-toes along the baseline and through traffic to make a layup with 0.9 of a second left. The Wizards do not take a timeout and Arenas misses from just beyond half court. Box score | PhotosGame 6: Cavs 114, Wizards 113 (OT)Arenas makes a 31-foot three-pointer to tie the game late in regulation. Damon Jones hits the game-winner with 4.8 seconds left and Butler misses a three-pointer at the buzzer. Box score | PhotosGAME 6: ECSTASY, THEN AGONY36Points scored by Gilbert Arenas, the game high31Length in feet of the three-pointer Arenas hit to tie game with two seconds left in regulation2Free throws that Arenas missed with 15 seconds left and a one-point lead in OT. Cleveland's Damon Jones hit the game-winning shot 11 seconds later.OFF THE GLASSPersonnel Dept.Wizards: Rookie Andray Blatche was inactive for Game 6. Blatche had been active for Games 2, 4 and 5 but has not played.By the Numbers418: Points scored by Gilbert Arenas and LeBron James in the six-game seriesQuotable"Michael is the new Craig Ehlo."-- Eddie Jordan on Michael Ruffin, who has been victimized by two game-winning shots by LeBron James during the seriesBASICSRosterStatisticsScheduleWizards SectionMichael Lee's NBA InsiderThe Best and Brightest of the NBA's SeasonMediocrity Is the Name of the Game in EastNot Much Separates MVP CandidatesPistons in Need of a ChallengeNo Answer for No "Answer" More NBA Insider Latest From the WiresHornets' Paul Named NBA's Rookie of YearColumn: Cavs Not Living Up to LeBron AdsHornets guard Paul named Rookie of the YearNBA Rookie of the Year VotingNBA Rookies of the Year More NewsNBA BasicsScoreboard Standings Statistics Team Index NBA Section Who's Blogging?Read what bloggers are saying about this article.Arlington Virginia Local Blog Full List of Blogs (1 links) Most Blogged About Articles On washingtonpost.com | On the webSave & ShareTag This Article Saving options1. Save to description: Headline (required) Subheadline Byline2. Save to notes (255 character max): Subheadline Blurb None 3. Tag This Article During a news conference yesterday at Verizon Center, Grunfeld touched on several issues, including the status of Jordan, who is entering the final season of a four-year contract he signed in 2003.Jordan is seeking a contract extension and Grunfeld said negotiations "will be something we discuss as we go along this summer.""There's no timeframe for anything," Grunfeld said. "Right now, we're still hurting a little bit and smarting from the playoffs."Grunfeld, who was hired after owner Abe Pollin hired Jordan in June 2003, praised the work done by Jordan this season."Eddie's done a terrific job," Grunfeld said. "We've gone to the playoffs two straight years, players are improving and we fought hard every night. He's done a good job for us."Grunfeld has added a key player in each of his first three summers, starting with the signing of Arenas in 2003, continuing with the acquisition of Jamison through a trade with Dallas in 2004 and followed with the trade that brought Butler to Washington for Kwame Brown last summer.With 13 players under contract for next season, the Wizards are over the salary cap but under the luxury tax limit and will have a mid-level exception available to sign a free agent.The mid-level exception was $5 million during the 2005-06 season (the Wizards used it to sign guard Antonio Daniels) and a new mid-level value and a new salary cap will be established when free agency opens July 1.The team has until June 30 to make a qualifying offer to Jared Jeffries and then will have the option of matching any offer made to him by another team. Though Grunfeld labeled the upcoming free agent market as "thin," he did not rule out upgrading his team's roster either in free agency or through a trade."I'm comfortable with what we have because I think we can compete at the highest level against anybody," Grunfeld said. "Having said that, you always look for things that can make your team better. I think we've shown that, if the right opportunity presents itself, we are not afraid to pull the trigger."One big man whom the Wizards may consider is former Maryland star Chris Wilcox, who will be a restricted free agent. The power forward, who left Maryland after his sophomore season in 2002, played the best ball of his career after a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers to Seattle last season. In 29 games with the SuperSonics, Wilcox averaged a career-high 14.1 points and 5.7 rebounds while shooting 59.2 percent from the field.Wilcox had spent the previous 4 1/2 seasons with the Clippers, where he was stuck behind all-star forward Elton Brand and center Chris Kaman this season. Seattle would have the right to match any offer made to Wilcox, and General Manager Rick Sund has said retaining the 23-year- old Wilcox will be the team's "number one priority in free agency."Meantime, Washington's restricted free agent, Jeffries, described himself as "anxious" to test the market. Jeffries started 77 games and averaged 6.4 points and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 45.1 percent from the field this season, numbers that are close to his career averages.Jordan loves Jeffries for his defensive versatility -- Jeffries defended everyone from point guards to centers at various stages this season -- and for his coachable nature. Jeffries had a solid playoff series against Cleveland, but his offensive game remains a question mark.Opponents invite Jeffries, a career 29.2 percent three-point shooter, to take the open jumper and Jeffries's inconsistency finishing would-be layups and dunks has been a nagging problem throughout his four-season career. However, Jeffries will receive plenty of attention in free agency."It's appealing to have a chance to go out and talk to people," Jeffries said. "Everyone likes to go out and have people talk good about you; so to go out and hear people talk about how they want your services, that makes anybody feel good."Wizards Notes: While he ponders his future this summer, Jeffries will also dip into his past. Jeffries and his father, Tom, are taking a trip to Vietnam this summer. Tom Jeffries served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War."He hasn't been back since the war, so we're going to go over there and see some of the places where he was stationed," Jeffries said. . . .Daniels plans to improve his jump shot this summer. This season, Daniels averaged 9.6 points and 3.6 assists while shooting 41.8 percent, including 22.8 percent from three-point range. After a cold stretch during November and December, when he made 3 of 26 three-pointers, Daniels said he grew reluctant to take open outside shots. Daniels shot a career-best 40.4 percent from three-point range in 2000-01 with San Antonio."I have to get the range back on my shot," Daniels said. "A few years ago, I was in the top 10 in three-point percentage, and I have to get back to the point where I'm shooting that shot with consistency and I'm also making that mid-range shot. It's a confidence thing." . . .The Wizards will begin working out draft candidates later this month. The team holds the 18th pick (first round) and the 48th pick (second round).The team still holds the NBA rights to 2002 second-round pick Juan Carlos Navarro, a shooting guard who has spent the last five seasons playing with FC Barcelona in the Euroleague. Though regarded as one of the top players in Europe, Navarro's contract contains a large buyout clause, and the Wizards have no immediate plans to sign him.</div> He would be just what you guys need, SOMETHING inside.
Indeed, I'd love to get him, but the chances arent likely. Yeah, he's a Maryland guy and all, but Seattle will be immediately ready to re-sign him for next season. He's shown some big improvements in his game in Seattle, alot of teams other than us will be interested in getting him. I'm not sure what kind of deal we could offer them, maybe this? : Etan Thomas + Jarvis Hayes + 2nd rounder for Chris WilcoxThat'd be pretty fair, Seattle gets a tough, big man in the middle like Reggie Evans, and they also get a pure shooter in Hayes, along with Allen.
