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Gilbert Arenas's latest incarnation

After wowing fans with scoring barrages, buzzer-beaters, imaginative nicknames and an entertaining blog, Gilbert Arenas has been sidelined by a knee injury for most of the past two seasons. In the meantime, he also agreed to a six-year, $111 million contract to stay in Washington in the summer of 2008. What's next for the mercurial star as he attempts to make a healthy return?

The Wizards made the maximum offer with a caveat: If Gilbert Arenas took the offer, it would be more difficult for the team to surround him with the kind of talent required to win the franchise's first title since 1978.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

Arenas, center, poses with, from left, Ernie Grunfeld, president of basketball operations, Coach Eddie Jordan, Susan O'Malley, former president of Washington Sports and Entertainment, and owner Abe Pollin when he originally signed with the Wizards in 2003.

Arenas said he believes that the first year of his new contract will pay him about $14.5 million.

Joel Richardson-for The Washington Post

"I looked at it like this: There is nothing I can do for my family with $127 million that I can't do with $111 million," Arenas said. "I mean, college is expensive but it ain't that dang expensive. Now, we have room to add a piece. There is a window of opportunity for us. Adding key pieces leads to championships and that's what we all want."

TWP

According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the Wizards feared that a low-ball offer might cause the notoriously unpredictable Arenas to take a lesser offer elsewhere.

Preston Keres-The Washington Post

"He's one of those rare guys in this league who can score the basketball, he hits game-winning shots and he can put butts in the seats," a Western conference executive said of Arenas, a three-time All-Star.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

Arenas tried out for the U.S. national team, but left the team on Aug. 14, 2006, because he did not think he would make the team. "They already knew what they wanted. They said it was a tryout, but they already had their team selected," Arenas said.

Getty Images

Arenas was feature in The Washington Post's Being a Black Man series, which explored what it means to be a black man in todays society.

Michel Du Cille & Marvin Joseph-The Washington Post

Before Gilbert Arenas blossomed into a star with the Wizards and before he had the city of Washington in the palm of his hand, he had a nomadic journey that began in a Miami housing project more than two decades ago.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

Dwyane Wade, Gilbert Arenas, LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Shaquille O'Neal are introduces as the Eastern Conference 2007 All-Star Game starters.

Lisa Blumenfeld-Getty Images

Arenas greets the crowd during introductions before the Wizards' first-round playoff game against the Cavaliers in 2008. Arenas did not play because of an injury.

Arenas grimaces after spraining his left knee in a collision with Gerald Wallace in a game against the Charlotte Bobcats on April 4, 2007. Arenas missed the 2007 playoffs because of the injury and then aggravated the injury the following November, causing him to miss 66 games.

Arenas does sprints pulling a parachute on the football field at Cardozo High School as works to come back from his knee injury.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

"I'm still getting paid a lot of money and we can make the moves we need to make," Arenas said of his new contract. "I want to win a championship here in D.C. I want to have a parade that goes right past the White House. Me and Barack Obama. How cool would that be? I really think that with the players we already have and with a couple of moves, we can do it."

Preston Keres-The Washington Post

After coming back from injury on April 2, Arenas was forced to end his season early again during the team's playoff series against the Cavaliers.

Preston Keres-The Washington Post

Arenas bowls as part of a team fund raiser "The Ballers Bowl" at Lucky Strike Lanes.

Ned Dishman-NBAE/Getty Images

Arenas said he was influence by a conversation with team owner Abe Polin. "It just gave me reassurance. He told me: 'When I picked you up five years ago, you're my guy and I meant that. You're the face of the Wizards. When you're out of the country walking down the street, I know that I have a fine young man representing me, this organization and the city of Washington to the fullest.'"

Preston Keres-The Washington Post

Gilbert Arenas poses with his Madame Tussauds wax figure along with 50 children from his Zer0 to Her0 Foundation in November 2008.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

Washington Wizards' Gilbert Arenas, left, shoots the game-winning shot over the top of Chicago Bulls defenders Jannero Pargo (15), Kirk Hinrich (12) and Tyson Chandler, right, at the buzzer Wednesday, May 4, 2005, in Chicago. The shot gave the Wizards a 112-110 win and put them up 3-2 in the first-round playoff series. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Jeff Roberson-AP

Gilbert Arenas and the Wizards were frustrated by the Cavaliers in the first round of the 2006 playoffs, which Cleveland won in six games.

John McDonnell-The Washington Post

Gilbert Arenas set a Wizards record by scoring 60 points against Smush Parker and the Lakers on Dec. 17, 2006. He also set an NBA record by scoring 16 points in a single overtime session as Washington pulled out the win.

Noah Graham-NBAE/Getty Images

In another memorable performance, Gilbert Arenas tied a Verizon Center record by scoring 51points against the the Jazz on Jan. 15, 2007, his third 50-plus point game of the season. He also hit the game-winning three-pointer in Washington's 114-111 win.

Toni L. Sandys-The Washington Post

Gilbert Arenas answers reporters questions during media day activities on Sept. 28, 2009.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

A prominent tattoo is displayed on the back of Gilbert Arenas during Wizards training camp at Virginia Commonwealth University's Siegal Center in Richmond, Va., on Sept. 29, 2009.

Steve Helber-AP

Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas gets his knees iced during 2009 training camp.

Steve Helber-AP

The Washington Wizards host the Memphis Grizzlies in a preseason basketball game at Richmond's VCU campus. Gilbert Arenas talks with new Coach Flip Saunders during a timeout.

John Mcdonnell-The Washington Post

Gilbert Arenas scores during a preseason game against the Grizzlies at VCU's Siegel Center.

John Mcdonnell-The Washington Post

Gilbert Arenas is all business at media day 2009.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

Gallery Credits:
Producer Anne C. Marley Text Editor Sarah Goldstein Photo Editor Emma Patti, Anne C. Marley

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This Story Rebuilt and ready to launch Arenas 2.0 Article \| From the time he entered the NBA as a rookie with the Golden State Warriors, Gilbert Arenas has been equally ambitious and impatient. Now, as he returns from missing practically all of the last two seasons due to knee problems, he's hoping to reeastablish himself. Wizards seek a team rebound Top 5 Wizards games to watch this season Gilbert Arenas's latest incarnation		TOOLBOX E-Mail This Save/Share + Digg Facebook Reddit Twitter myspace del.icio.us NewsTrust Stumble It! COMMENT 0 Comments Your browser's settings may be preventing you from commenting on and viewing comments about this item. See instructions for fixing the problem. Discussion Policy CLOSE Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post. Who's Blogging » Links to this gallery		More on washingtonpost.com • More Photo News » washingtonpost.com
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