Gilbert Arenas’ $111 deal has been time and again questioned in the NBA community. Notably, the 3x All-Star benefitted from the contract despite not playing 5 years for the team. He even faced some criticism from the media and basketball enthusiasts for this. But Arenas has now opened up on why he “earned every dollar” of the deal.

Appearing on VLAD TV, Gil recalled getting his last NBA earning in 2016, despite becoming inactive nearly half a decade before. The 3x All-Star also discussed his $111 million contract with the Wizards and how people often fail to understand why he got that deal. “I didn’t sign my contract… So, you know, when we sit here and complain about people’s money, remember someone’s giving them that… It’s the value to that person. You don’t know what that person’s done to get that,” he said on the show.

Notably, the Wizards had signed the above-mentioned contract with Agent Zero in 2008. The franchise seemed to ignore the fact that Arenas had suffered an MCL during the 2006-07 season. As a result, he played just 13 games in season 2007-08. So there must be something that the Wizards had in their mind with their approach. One opinion is that the franchise wanted to secure Arenas’ prime phase with the deal.

Prior to the deal, he had 28.4 points with 35.1 three-point shooting percentage and 41.8 field goal percentage. Apart from this, he averaged 4.6 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. So it’s evident the 6’4″ player had created a value for himself. However, Gilbert Arenas revealed yet another angle behind the Wizards’ mindset to sign him. “You don’t know how long I sit into a gym… So it’s not always about the numbers that you see… Potential or what he does when no one’s watching,” he said on the show.

The 3x All-Star further also revealed that the franchise was even willing to offer him $127 million. But he left $16 million on the table so that the team can improve itself. This is something Gil termed as probably one of the biggest pay cuts in NBA history. Though it is worth mentioning, this is not the first time that the ex-Wizards star has defended his contract.

“Got me out of my Jordan era”: Gilbert Arenas reveals why the Wizards owner offered him the deal

It is worth mentioning Michael Jordan once acquired some stake in the Wizards around 2000. Following this, he became the team president of Basketball Operations. Subsequently, ‘His Airness’ once again suited up for the league, but this time in the Wizards jersey. But once MJ finally hung his basketball shoes for good, the Wizards owner, Abe Pollin, did not seem willing to bring Mike back into the front office role.

This brought a lot of criticism and backlash based on allegations that the franchise merely used MJ and got rid of him when he failed to lead the team to playoffs. This was the time that Wizards acquired the 3x All-Star and, as per the reports, Pollin wanted Arenas to make people forget about the Wizard and Michael Jordan story. Although Agent Zero failed to lead the team to playoffs in his first attempt, his 19.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game left an impact.

Later, he did end up leading the team to three playoff appearances as well. In an episode of No Chill Gil, Agen Zero stated it was this impact that landed him the $111 million deal. “I get the call from Abe Pollin… And he says, ‘Whatever you want, you did what you said what you were gonna do. You got me out of my Jordan era, you turned this franchise around, and I owe you whatever you want,” he recalled his conversation with Pollin. So no matter what anyone says, Arenas is of the firm opinion that he “earned every dollar” of the deal.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.