Imagine having to face a backcourt of Gilbert Arenas and Dwyane Wade. Gil was heading toward his third season in the NBA and was fresh off winning the Most Improved Player award. Meanwhile, Wade was coming off a spectacular season at Marquette and was the Miami Heat's fifth pick in the much-celebrated 2003 NBA Draft, headlined by LeBron James.
In an interview with Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller on "The OGs," Gil revealed that he was on the verge of making the backcourt mentioned above a reality. At that time, he was a free agent and considered a pitch from the Heat's top basketball executive, Pat Riley, before the latter ultimately balked at giving Arenas so much money.
Busy offseason
In the summer of 2003, Gil was a restricted free agent and was one of the most sought-after players in the league outside of Lamar Odom. In his sophomore season, the former second-round pick averaged 18.3 points and 6.3 assists per game and was adjudged the league's Most Improved Player.
The former Arizona Wildcat had numerous suitors, including the Los Angeles Clippers and the Washington Wizards. At the same time, Arenas said Riley also checked his availability.
"I'm a free agent, and it's Lamar Odom, the number one free agent, and I'm number two. So you guys already had D-Wade, so Pat Riley was coming after me, and they were saying, 'We're going to play you guys at the one and two,'" Gil shared on the podcast.
Wade began his career playing point guard, but his skill set and size made him a natural fit at the shooting guard position. With Arenas' elite scoring ability and playmaking skills, it's easy to see why Riley was interested in pairing him with Wade.
"So, I have a backcourt of me and him at the one and two, and because they wanted to try D-Wade at the two, they said, 'We can put you at the two, we can go vice versa,'" Arenas continued.
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Comfort level wasn't there
As is always the case in the league, finances entered the conversation. The three-time All-Star revealed that Riley wasn't sold on giving him a $55-million deal. After all, Arenas only had two seasons of experience and had yet to make it to the NBA Playoffs.
"Pat Riley said, 'I don't feel comfortable paying a young guy $55 million who hasn't proven himself,' because, to be honest, I only played about a total of 100-something games my first two years, right? 40 the first season, then 82. So he was like, 'I don't feel comfortable paying him this type of money,'" the 6-foot-4 shared.
As fate would have it, veteran guard Bryon Russell opted out of his contract with the Wizards, opening up more money for the front office to hand to the high-scoring guard. When Washington's offer was sent to Gil, he didn't hesitate to sign on the dotted line.
"Bryon Russell opted out of his deal, and the Wizards' money went up to about $64-65 million. I ain't even negotiating no more. I said, 'I'm taking it. I'm taking it,'" Arenas disclosed.
Gil hit his stride in the nation's capital, becoming an All-Star, an All-NBA team selection, an MVP candidate, and one of the league's most exciting players. Although the potential backcourt of Wade and Gilbert would have been a sight to see and a nightmare for opposing defenses, Arenas ultimately decided to go with the Wizards and build something special.
Related: Gilbert Arenas says he never called out a player again after criticizing Dwyane Wade in 2004: “He took that personal”
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