Wall and Arenas: Shootout at OK Corral

Much has been talked about concerning the backcourt tandem of the potential #1 pick of the NBA Draft, Washington Wizards John Wall and their current PG/SG Gilbert Arenas.

Arenas, as you know, was suspended last season for brandishing a gun in the locker room. He then pled guilty to D.C. gun law violations, was released earlier this month from his 30 day sentence to a half way house, and is currently serving two-years probation. He is set to rejoin his team next season and is in third year of his 6 year $111 million contract.

In 2009, nearly one year to the day Gilbert was released from his half-way house sentence, John Wall had been cited for Breaking and Entering. Wall was with some friends, went into an abandoned home, a neighbor called, on his exit he found police. Wall pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge, went to a program for first time offenders, stayed out of trouble for 6 months, and had his recorded cleared.

Rumors and opinions are floating around for Arenas to be traded or released from the Wiz to avoid his infectious bad attitude and more serious law offenses infecting Wall. It was recently document by Tony Kornheiser of ESPN, that he believes Arenas should be removed from D.C.:

I cannot emphasize this enough or too much. Get rid of Gilbert Arenas right now. Get him out of here. He is poison.

Nothing new considering Kornheiser had previously called Arenas "the worst person on earth", "a team killer", and "a coach killer." But along with those accusations earlier this season, nothing will come of the current situation despite Tony's protest.

Arenas could have been released by the Wizards at the beginning of the season and been cleared of his overwhelming contract. They could have walked away from him and only held the burden on their salary cap - not their payroll. They didn't, and thus Arenas is still there. If they walk away now, they pay him and his contract. They pay him to play for another team.

As for a trade, Agent #0's value is currently Nil or at the least Next to Nil. So anticipate seeing at least one season of 0 and the Great Wall tandem. This pairing should lead to one of the biggest turnarounds in the league next year. Wall alone should be worth 10-12 more wins, and with Arenas the team should be 5-10 above .500, a 21 game swing from this season.

Wall can handle his own. With the spotlight on the influence, he will know when to walk away. Knowing that his relationship and behavior will be under scrutiny, he will stay away from the negative path Arenas will clear. After this season, once Arenas builds his value, expect to see a trade. This time it should be for a bigger name and with that a max contract that will be able to play with a second year All-Star in Wall.