Wizards Sign Butler To 5-Year Extension
Forward's Deal May Be Worth $46 Million
By Ivan Carter
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, November 1, 2005; Page E06
The Washington Wizards wrapped up a key piece of their future last night, signing forward Caron Butler to a five-year contract extension. The team did not disclose terms of the extension, but a source said the deal was worth $46 million.
The 6-foot-7, 228-pound Butler was the key player in the trade that sent forward Kwame Brown to the Los Angeles Lakers this summer. Butler arrived along with guard Chucky Atkins and was entering the final season of his original rookie contract.
Butler, who was drafted with the 10th overall pick by the Miami Heat in 2002, was scheduled to make $2.46 million this season.
"I'm just happy because this is such a great situation for me and my family," said Butler, who has averaged 13.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 223 regular season NBA games. "I know a good fit when I see one, and from the time I arrived here in Washington, the organization has made me and my family feel so welcome. I'm excited about knowing that my future will be with this team."
Butler was Washington's second-leading scorer during the preseason, averaging 13.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and a team-high 2.4 steals in seven games.
Butler has primarily played small forward with the Wizards after splitting time between that position and shooting guard with the Lakers last season. Though he made three starts during the preseason, Butler will begin the regular season coming off the bench.
Butler said he would prefer to start, as he did 211 times during three seasons with the Heat and Lakers, but added that he will carry out any role assigned to him. Wizards Coach Eddie Jordan likes the idea of having Butler's offensive punch coming in a reserve role.
Butler has already coined a nickname for the group that will come off the bench tomorrow in the Wizards' season opener at Toronto. With Antawn Jamison, Gilbert Arenas, Antonio Daniels, Jared Jeffries and Brendan Haywood slated for the starting lineup, key reserves will include Butler, Hayes, Atkins, forward Michael Ruffin and centers Etan Thomas and Calvin Booth.
That group has combined to start 637 regular season games and should provide the Wizards with one of the better second units in the league.
"We're the bench mob," Butler said. "We're going to come in the game and pick up where the starters leave off."
The Wizards did not reach an agreement on a contract extension with forward Jared Jeffries prior to last night's deadline. Jeffries, the team's first-round pick in the 2002 draft, is entering the final season of his rookie contract and is scheduled to make just more than $2 million this season.
If the Wizards make their qualifying offer of $2.7 million to Jeffries following the season, he will become a restricted free agent, meaning the Wizards would have the right to match any offer made to him.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 01425.html