WASHINGTON (AFP) — Washington Wizards scoring leader Antawn Jamison signed a contract extenstion with the club here Monday just hours before the National Basketball Association free agency deadline.
July marks the start of free agency status for numerous NBA standouts, including Washington's Gilbert Arenas, but contracts cannot become official until the NBA's moratorium for free agent deals ends on July 9.
Jamison, a forward who led the Wizards with 21.4 points and a career-best 10.2 rebounds a game last season, was among only five league players to average 20 points and 10 rebounds a game last season.
"Signing Antawn to a contract extension was a top priority," Wizards team president Ernie Grunfeld said. "He has been a leader for us both on and off the court over the last four seasons and we're proud to reward his efforts."
The Washington Post reported Monday that Arenas will remain in Washington despite opting out of his contract in hopes of obtaining a higher salary after being offered a six-year deal said to be worth more than 100 million dollars.
Arenas, 26, had said he would take less money if the difference would go to keeping Jamison in the lineup. Arenas played only 13 games this past season after knee surgery, leavina a void which Jamison filled.
The Wizards were ousted by Cleveland in the first round of the playoffs.
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