Two-time National Basketball Association All-Star forward Antawn Jamison re-signed with the Washington Wizards yesterday, agreeing to a four-year, US$50 million deal.
"I just signed. We got it out of the way," Jamison told The Associated Press.
The contract clears the way for the team to focus on its other major free agent: three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas. Arenas has said he would not return unless the team also re-signed Jamison.
"He said he'd take less money if they got me, and they got me," Jamison said. "So I think everything will get worked out with Gilbert."
Jamison arrived in Washington on Monday to sign the contract and the Wizards will hold a news conference for him today.
"There wasn't any doubt in my mind that I'd be back," said Jamison, 32, who has been a strong locker room leader during his four seasons with the Wizards.
Jamison has also been reliable in the stat book. He has averaged at least 19.6 points and 7.6 rebounds each year since his arrival in Washington 2004. Last season was arguably the best in his 10-year NBA career -- 21.4 points and a career-high 10.2 rebounds -- as he and Caron Butler helped lead the Wizards to a fourth consecutive playoff berth.
(Agencies via Shanghai Daily July 1, 2008)