Daniels a Wizard...

[Metz]

Our AD to Cleveland dreams look to be shot for sure...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2111968

The Seattle SuperSonics suffered another free-agent defection Tuesday night when guard Antonio Daniels reached a verbal agreement with the Washington Wizards on a five-year contract worth an estimated $30 million.

Daniels was also a prime target of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Tony Dutt, Daniels' Houston-based agent, said Daniels will join the Wizards as soon as the moratorium on free-agent signings is lifted Friday, which the league has scheduled as the first day free agents can sign new contracts.

"The more we talked with Washington, we just felt very comfortable," Dutt said. "When Larry Hughes went to Cleveland, it just became a perfect fit for Antonio."

Daniels will join Caron Butler as the Wizards' two-pronged answer to the loss of Hughes, who is coming off a breakout season. Team officials are forbidden from commenting on the signing until the moratorium is lifted, but NBA front-office sources indicate Washington was drawn to Daniels for his playoff experience, athleticism and defensive skills.

Butler will be acquired from the Lakers in a sign-and-trade featuring Kwame Brown after the moratorium is lifted. The teams verbally agreed to the deal last week, but the Lakers have also been pursuing Daniels hard by offering the 6-foot-4 guard a similar five-year deal.

New coach Phil Jackson, whose fondness for long-limbed guards is well-known, had been hoping to pair Daniels in the Lakers' backcourt with Kobe Bryant.

Daniels thus becomes the third prominent member of Seattle's 52-30 team to leave the club this month. The Sonics quickly reached a verbal agreement to retain leading scorer Ray Allen, but coach Nate McMillan (Portland) and center Jerome James (New York) have since departed.

Daniels averaged 11.2 points and 4.1 assists for the Sonics last season, but proved even more effective in the playoffs when he joined Allen and Luke Ridnour in a three-guard attack. The ability of all three to handle the ball, penetrate and create offense on the perimeter enabled Seattle, though short-handed, to stretch eventual champion San Antonio to six games in the second round.

[Warthog]

At least he didn't end up with the Lakers. :-\

[UK Peregrine]

Our AD to Cleveland dreams look to be shot for sure...

For some of us, they were our worst nightmares. I think AD made a good choice by signing with Washington and I'm sure Capital Falcon will agree.

[BGSU33]

The Wizards?!?!?! Well, yeah, at least it wasn't the Lakers. I'm pretty surprised about this, but I'm sure it was the best fit for him. I think it's likely this might be his last stop unless he is traded during this new contract. It's funny because I would go to DC (it's the closest NBA arena to Charlottesville) to see Antonio play when he would come to town. Now that I am getting ready to move, he's coming to town. I was really hoping he would have gone to Cleveland....it may have even sparked me to get season tickets. Best of luck 'Tone!

[Flipper]

I thought this was going to be another "Harry Potter" thread

[Falconboy]

Guess this definitly the end of the playoffs for AD. Cleveland were idots , had a playoff vetern , 6'4 long and lean , athletic ,slasher , never turns the ball over pg and they let him go. Pathetic! ::puke:: Why AD , why Wizards? Ther'e goin NOWHERE!! Is that not obvious enough. Might as well go to the Bobcats!

[UK Peregrine]

Guess this definitly the end of the playoffs for AD...... Why AD , why Wizards? Ther'e goin NOWHERE!! Is that not obvious enough. Might as well go to the Bobcats!

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but the Wizards were the playoff team this past year (#5 seed I think), not the Cavs.

[Metz]

Sure Cleveland is what most of us wanted falconboy, but previous posters are right. Atleast he didn't sign with the Lakers...the glass is half full!

[kdog27]

Guess this definitly the end of the playoffs for AD. Cleveland were idots , had a playoff vetern , 6'4 long and lean , athletic ,slasher , never turns the ball over pg and they let him go. Pathetic! ::puke:: Why AD , why Wizards? Ther'e goin NOWHERE!! Is that not obvious enough. Might as well go to the Bobcats!

And where are the cavs going? Pretty much nowhere since the early 90s.

[BGALUMNI]

I think it boilded down to playing time. He has a championship already and the Wizards have as much of a chance as anyone else in the east with Miami being the team to beat in the East.

[KPAFalcon]

It boils down to $$$$$$$$$$

[duckunder53]

The more money he makes the better it may be for BG. Hopefully he and others can put a good package together for BG to get a new convo center.

[Germainfitch1]

I think it boilded down to playing time. He has a championship already and the Wizards have as much of a chance as anyone else in the east with Miami being the team to beat in the East.

The Pacers will be at full strength next year. They can't be counted out.

[Goose]

The Pacers will be at full strength next year. They can't be counted out.

Detroit has the best starting five in the NBA, and if Flip Saunders can keep the team focused on the defensive end and keep Rasheed Wallace under control they will come out of the East again. If they add an outside shooter to come off the bench (Alan Houston) or they develop one from within (Carlos Delfino), they may be better then they were the past two seasons.

What I don't understand about Antonio signing with the Wizards is where he is going to play? I think they brought him in to be a starter, but Gilbert Arenas is their starting point guard. One of the two will have to be shifted over to the shooting guard.

[Metz]

What I don't understand about Antonio signing with the Wizards is where he is going to play? I think they brought him in to be a starter, but Gilbert Arenas is their starting point guard. One of the two will have to be shifted over to the shooting guard.

He's been quoted a hundred times saying starting is not that important. He just wants to be in the best situation for him. Is Larry Hughes gone for sure, too? If he isn't, Antonio will definitely be coming off the bench. But hey, he did that last year and had his best numbers yet.