The Washington Wizards have been a major disappointment the last couple of years and it is time for them to rebuild.  Their core just haven't worked out and with the recent turn of events, they have an unique opportunity to jump into the great free agency chase of 2010.

Void Gilbert Arenas contract:

NBA contracts are notoriously are to void but if Gilbert Arenas is found/ pleads guilty to the guns charges the Wizards would have a good argument to rid of themselves of Arenas' massive contract.  Arenas' contract may be the most untradable contract right now.  Arenas gets paid $16.2 million this year (although he won't get most of that because of his league suspension) and it goes up every year up to $22.3 million at the last year of his contract, 2013.  The whole Arenas fiasco is truely a blessing in disguise for the Wizards.  Agent Zero is a very talented player but he has been injury prone as of late and the Wizards really can't rely on him to be the franchise player.  Plus because of the complicated salary cap restrictions, cap space and flexibility are the number one commodity and with the talk of a shrinking salary cap and shrinking player salaries, Arenas contract would be an even bigger burden on the Wizards if they don't void the contract now.  Since the Wizards are roughly at the max cap in 2010 without Arenas (and assuming they let go of all their expiring contacts) they would get about his contract $17.7 in cap room to spend.

Sign Nate Robinson for $6-7 mill per year for 4 years:

So without Gilbert Arenas the Wizards need a point guard but unfortunately there is not much available in 2010 free agency pool.  I may be a little biased as a Knicks fan but I see Nate as the best replacement.  The Wizards needs to get younger and more athletic and Nate would give them that.   He has the ability to take over a game and he may just need to play consistent minutes to give you consistent play.  Another intriguing option is the Wizards using most of the cap room to sign Manu Ginobili, who might be the best free agent in 2010 that no one is talking about and one the better guards available, and compliment him with a second tier point guard like Rafer Alston.  Unfortunately Ginobili is likely to resign with the Spurs and he is injured prone and the Wizards got to stay away from players like that.

Sign Ray Allen for whatever is left of the cap for 1 year:

The Wizards aren't going to get the top tier free agents like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh but they can take a take on a project like Ray Allen.  For the Celtics, Ray Allen have shown signs of slowing down and his value hasn't been any lower so he may be open to a one year deal.  At one year the Wizards may get good production with Ray Allen rediscovering his shooting touch while maintaining their salary cap flexibility.  If Ray Allen is not available, the Wizards could look into T-mac in a similar (maybe cheaper) deal.

Resign Earl Boykins for $1.5-$2 mill per year for 1 year:

The Wizards lack depth and Earl Boykins would be cheap bench player and like Nate this year he brings energy in the second unit and he has made clutch shots.  Plus there has to be some marketing opportunities to take advantage of with the two shortest players in the NBA right now. 

Depth Chart:

Andray Blatche /JaVale McGee

Antawn Jamison/ Nick Young

Caron Butler

Ray Allen/ DeShawn Stevenson

Nate Robinson/ Earl Boykins

Of course, the Wizards needs to sign/ trade/ draft for a little depth and maybe a center.  With their lottery 2010 draft pick, the Wizards would be well on their way to rebuild and get younger.  I truly believe the Wizards should keep as much salary cap flexibility as possible rather than settling on giving huge contracts to second tier free agents especially with the uncertainly of the salary cap and players salaries agreement going into 2011.  If the season doesn't go as planned, Ray Allen and Antawn Jamison could be good trade bait for more younger players and more draft picks.  It all starts with voiding Agent Zero's contract.

Even though they are written earlier in the season, you can find my How to Fix the Nets post here and the Knicks post here.