Gilbert Arenas’ Fear of “Career S**cide” Stopped Him From Joining $3.09 Billion Worth Team

Gilbert Arenas was at his peak in the Washington Wizards, but that shift from Warriors required a strong choice. Drafted into the league by the Golden State Warriors, Gil became a restricted free agent after his two seasons with the team. At this time, Arenas had to choose between the teams that were interested in him. But instead of going for the highest offer, he wanted a team where he could grow as a player.

And it was this instinct that made him avoid Utah Jazz in particular, according to a recent episode of Gil’s Arena, Arenas said, “I was asking for the max (offer), knowing I wasn’t getting the max, but just, you gotta throw it out there…Utah offered me the most, but I thought it’d be career s**cide. John Stockton just retired, and my style is coming in there,” Arenas said. He further mentioned he wanted to put himself in a position where he could be successful. So it was obvious Gil was not going for the $3.09 billion franchise, whose key player was about to retire.

The fact John Stockton has a street named after him in Salt Lake City reflects his stature in Utah Jazz. He led the Jazz to playoffs in all 19 seasons he played, boasting an impressive stat line doing so. During his peak phase, he averaged a double-double for six consecutive seasons, and he also held the title of NBA Assists Leader for 9 consecutive seasons. So any rookie would most likely have paired up with him unless he was close to his retirement.

Notably, Gilbert Arenas became a free agent after season 2003, the same season after which Stockton retired. Meanwhile, the Wizards offered him $60 million, which the Warriors could not match because of the salary cap and Gil being a second-round pick. The rules back then allowed salary cap exceptions only for a round 1 pick. And as destiny would have it, Arenas landed in the Washington Wizards.

Gilbert Arenas with the Wizards

Landing in the Wizards, Arenas teamed up with Larry Hughes, forming one of the highest-scoring backcourt duos in the NBA. Averaging 19.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, he led the team to its first playoff appearance since 1997.

Gil also helped the Wizards achieve their first playoff victory in two decades, although the team lost in the conference semi-finals. ‘Agent Zero’ managed two more playoff appearances with the Wizards, but no championship. However, things went downhill for the 6’4” player after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2007. Subsequently, he missed 69 games in season 2007-08, and after his third knee surgery in September 2008, he played just 2 games in season 2008-09.

‘Agent Zero’ returned for season 2010, but after handgun violations stemming from an episode on December 24, 2009, he faced a suspension for the entire remaining season. As per the reports back then, Gil and his teammate Javaris Crittenton had drawn guns at each other inside the team locker room during an argument.

With this, his time with the Warriors ended except for a short 21-game stint in season 2010-11. During his time with the franchise, Gilbert Arenas averaged 25 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. As for achievements, the only regret he could have was to not win any championship. But neither the Warriors won any while he was in Wizards, nor Jazz has won any so far. Now, one may wonder if things would have been different, for better or worse, had he signed with the Jazz.

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