Jun 10, 2008 - 6:24 PM
0 shoutsWASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas opted out of his contract Tuesday, becoming an unrestricted free agent.
Arenas, who was set to make $12.8 million next season, filed the necessary paperwork with the NBA well before the June 20 deadline set by a provision in his contract.
Teams will be able to negotiate with Arenas and other free agents on July 1.
The Washington Post reported that Arenas, who is without an agent and is representing himself, has been working out at the Verizon Center recently and plans to be at full strength for training camp in October.
The newspaper said Arenas does not yet have any plans to visit other teams.
Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld said that he was not surprised by the decision in a statement released Tuesday.
"It is something that he said he would do, and it's something that we expected," Grunfeld said. "This was just a formality."
A three-time All-Star, Arenas has undergone two surgeries on his left knee since April 2007, forcing him to miss last year's playoffs and limiting him to just four games this postseason.
One of the league's most outspoken stars who has his own blog on NBA.com, Arenas repeatedly has said that he is seeking "a maximum-level, long-term contract." But he also has said that he would take less money in order to help the Wizards re-sign forward Antawn Jamison.
The 2003 Most Improved Player, Arenas has averaged 22.8 points and 5.5 assists in his seven-year career. He averaged 19.4 points in just 13 games this season, an injury-shortened campaign during which he was hobbled even after his return.
