Talks With Blatche Are Ongoing

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld continues to negotiate with the agent representing restricted free agent forward Andray Blatche. A team source refuted a published report that said Grunfeld has offered Blatche a three-year contract worth $11 million.

Blatche, who appeared in 85 games during his first two seasons, could be looking for a deal similar to the three-year, $11 million contract recently signed by Detroit Pistons forward Amir Johnson. Both players were taken in the second round of the 2005 draft.

Should Blatche sign an offer sheet with another team, the Wizards would have seven days to decide whether to match.

For salary reasons, the team is unlikely to sign second-round pick Dominic McGuire until a deal with Blatche is finalized. With 10 players under contract, the Wizards have approximately $64.2 million committed to contracts and will likely stay under the luxury tax threshold ($67.9 million.). Teams over the threshold must pay $1 for every $1 they are over.

Meanwhile, Grunfeld continues to field offers for guard Juan Carlos Navarro, who recently negotiated out of his contract with FC Barcelona of the Spanish pro league. Barcelona informed Grunfeld that he has until the end of the week to trade Navarro. If a trade is not worked out, Barcelona will retain Navarro and his buyout with the team will go from $2 million to $14 million.

The Miami Heat is one of at least eight teams to express interest in Navarro but will likely drop out of negotiations after signing guard Smush Parker on Friday. According to a report, Parker's former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, could have interest in Navarro.