t1no

Gilbert Arenas just opted out of his contract.

Start With The 'A's'
From 'Arenas' & 'Artest' Down To 'Viagra'

We start with the NBA “A’s,’’ we make fun of newspapers, and we urge Major League Baseball to pop a Viagra. …

ARENAS IS FREE!: The Wiz’ Gilbert Arenas is opting out of the final year of his contract with Washington. The move means Agent Zero will give up his guaranteed $12.8 million next season to instead be an unrestricted free agent starting on July 1.

The Wiz plan on keeping him, maybe as a max guy at six years and $120 million. Arenas – who is representing himself (!) – has said he’ll stay in Washington if the Wiz retain Antawn Jamison. But he’s also just loony enough to do. … well, anything.

He has in passing mentioned the Mavs as a possible future destination. His zaniness could allow him to bond, quirk-for-quirk, with Mark Cuban. So, despite the fact that he has undergone two surgeries on his left knee since April 2007, he needs to be on Dallas’ radar.

Just in case.

STARTING WITH THE A’s: I guess we’re handling potential acquisitions today in alphabetical order, because next up is the latest on Ron Artest.

He was in New York over the weekend, saying nice things about the Knicks (he’s a Big Apple kid) while at the same time insisting that, “I don’t play for the money. I play for the love.’’

I still say Dallas has too little of either – money or love – for Artest. But again, the homework is worth the investment, given the possibility that Artest could accept a long-term MLE deal. (Five years, $36 million?)

Is Artest worth the risk? Probably not. But he’s certainly worth the due diligence.

P.S. on Artest: He’s doing late-night radio in Sacto. And he’s funny.

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DALLAS MAVERICKS