Editing Washington Wizards (section)

====2008–2010====
During the off-season, Arenas signed a six-year, $111&nbsp;million contract, while Jamison signed a four-year, $50&nbsp;million contract.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/12645/stuck-together-gilbert-arenas-and-the-wizards|title=Stuck together: Gilbert Arenas and the Wizards|work=ESPN|agency=The Associated Press|date=January 28, 2010|access-date=December 14, 2022|last=Abbott|first=Henry|archive-date=December 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214105255/https://www.espn.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/12645/stuck-together-gilbert-arenas-and-the-wizards|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nba.com/wizards/news/wizsignjamison_080630.html|title=Wizards Sign Jamison to Contract Extension|date=June 30, 2008|work=Washington Wizards|publisher=NBA|access-date=December 14, 2022|archive-date=December 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214105303/https://www.nba.com/wizards/news/wizsignjamison_080630.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Wizards did not re-sign guard [[Roger Mason (basketball)|Roger Mason]], who signed with the [[2008–09 San Antonio Spurs season|San Antonio Spurs]]. The Wizards added guards [[Dee Brown (basketball, born 1984)|Dee Brown]] and [[Juan Dixon]], and drafted [[JaVale McGee]] 18th overall<ref>{{cite news|title=Washington Wizards Draft JaVale McGee|url=http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/mcgee18_080626.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=WashingtonWizards.com|date=June 26, 2008|access-date=June 26, 2015|archive-date=May 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504122318/http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/mcgee18_080626.html|url-status=live}}</ref> in the 2008 NBA Draft.

In September, Arenas underwent a third operation on his surgically repaired left knee to clean out fluid and debris, and was expected to miss at least the first month of the season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3593256|title=Arenas has knee surgery, says he'll be back in December|work=ESPN|location=Washington|date=September 18, 2008|access-date=December 15, 2022|archive-date=December 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215100543/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3593256|url-status=live}}</ref> The forecast came in longer than expected, as Arenas missed five months of action due to concerns about his knee, before returning on March 29, 2009.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.in/nba/recap/_/gameId/290328027|title=Arenas' game-winning attempt blocked in Wizards' latest loss|work=ESPN|agency=The Associated Press|location=Washington|date=March 29, 2009|access-date=December 15, 2022|archive-date=December 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215100544/https://www.espn.in/nba/recap/_/gameId/290328027|url-status=live}}</ref> In the first game of the preseason, Jamison suffered a right knee contusion, and was expected to miss the rest of the preseason.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3631686|title=Jamison leaves preseason opener with strained right knee|work=ESPN|agency=The Associated Press|location=Dallas|date=October 8, 2008|access-date=December 15, 2022|archive-date=December 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215100538/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3631686|url-status=live}}</ref> Haywood announced that he would undergo surgery on his right wrist and was expected to miss four to six months.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3637083|title=Wizards' Haywood to miss 4-6 months; Jamison day to day|work=ESPN|agency=The Associated Press|location=Washington|date=October 11, 2008|access-date=December 15, 2022|archive-date=December 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215100535/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3637083|url-status=live}}</ref> The preseason marked the return of Etan Thomas who had missed all of the 2007–2008 season while recovering from open-heart surgery. The Wizards added guard Fenny Falmagne from the Dakota Wizards on August 23, 2008, who was later waived by the team after a knee injury.

[[File:Gilbert Arenas dribbling November 2010.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Gilbert Arenas in November 2010]]
The Wizards opened the season on October 29 with a loss against [[2008–09 New Jersey Nets season|New Jersey]], and dropped fifteen of their first nineteen games. Head coach [[Eddie Jordan (basketball)|Eddie Jordan]] was fired on November 24 after a 1–10 start, and was replaced by interim coach [[Ed Tapscott]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/85353-eddie-jordan-fired-by-the-washington-wizards-after-1-10-start|title=Eddie Jordan Fired by the Washington Wizards After 1-10 Start|work=Bleacher Report|date=November 24, 2008|access-date=December 15, 2022|last=Floyd|first=Dusty|archive-date=December 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215100543/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/85353-eddie-jordan-fired-by-the-washington-wizards-after-1-10-start|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 10, Washington acquired guards [[Javaris Crittenton]] and [[Mike James (basketball, born 1975)|Mike James]] in a three-team deal that sent Antonio Daniels to [[New Orleans Hornets|New Orleans]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nba.com/wizards/news/crittenton_james_081210.html|title=Wizards Acquire Javaris Crittenton and Mike James|work=Washington Wizards|publisher=NBA|date=December 10, 2008|access-date=December 15, 2022|archive-date=December 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215100548/https://www.nba.com/wizards/news/crittenton_james_081210.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The team waived guard [[Dee Brown (basketball, born 1984)|Dee Brown]]. They won just 14 of their first 60 games and in the end tied a franchise-worst record of {{Win-loss record|w=19|l=63}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/standings?Season=2008-09|title=NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Standings|work=NBA|access-date=December 15, 2022|archive-date=December 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215100549/https://www.nba.com/standings?Season=2008-09|url-status=live}}</ref>

One of the few high points of the season came on February 27 when recently inaugurated President Barack Obama attended a Wizards game against the Chicago Bulls, sitting in a northeast court-side seat. The Wizards produced their second-biggest victory margin of the season with a 113–90 win; Jamison paced the side with 27 points.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-obama-basketball-022809-2009feb28-story.html|title=Obama watches Wizards defeat his hometown Bulls|work=The San Diego Union-Tribute|agency=The Associated Press|date=February 28, 2009|access-date=December 15, 2022|location=Washington|last=Simmons|first=Christine|archive-date=December 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215100537/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-obama-basketball-022809-2009feb28-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/290227027|title=Obama watches Wizards embarrass hometown team in Washington|work=ESPN|agency=The Associated Press|location=Washington|date=February 28, 2009|access-date=December 15, 2022|archive-date=December 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215100547/https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/290227027|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On April 2, the Wizards shut down the Cleveland Cavaliers, who came in with a record of 61–13, and ended Cleveland's franchise-best winning streak at 13.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/290402027|title=Agent Zero, Wizards pull upset of LeBron, Cavs|work=ESPN|date=April 3, 2009|access-date=December 15, 2022|location=Washington|agency=The Associated Press|archive-date=December 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215100549/https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/290402027|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Flip Saunders]] reached an agreement to become the new coach of the team in mid-April 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/basketball/bal-sp.digest231apr23,0,3531161.column|title=Wizards confirm Saunders is new coach|website=Baltimoresun.com}}{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Despite having the second-best chance at obtaining the number one overall pick in the 2009 draft, the Wizards were randomly chosen to pick fifth overall in the NBA Draft Lottery.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601079&sid=aJjibIGSkj4Q&refer=home|title=Clippers Win NBA's Draft Lottery; Blake Griffin May Go First|website=Bloomberg.com|date=May 20, 2009|access-date=March 12, 2017|archive-date=February 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210115241/https://mb.moatads.com/yi/v2?ol=0&qn=%604%7BZEYwoqI%24%5BK%2BdLLU)%2CMm~tQSe.%5BMhS%3A15.snxNz3%2B1bmlLntoDUj%7B!%3CFeid%5BOV%7C%2B2x%3D(%3Ce7%25%7DSlx%3Am4%2C..8WLdA1%3BxTiWio8bYLaXBjA%3AmQ)%3CF!tAbjrzJ%3BgoVYGVxc%40lQQV%23tc3%2Fh%7C%3FVKV%3BaBgS%3F%2BWx%3Ba5%2F%5BGI%3F4YNmD%3Dn%3Cy)%23*R%23tw98YCC2J.bq!CASw%5EXm0okt%24b_o%3FtVD%5D%5BpN%7CQF%40Sy7%7B%2CNr1U*%26ujMUU8fvb%26%22B&tf=1_nMzjG---CSa7H-1SJH-bW7qhB-LRwqH-nMzjG-&vi=111111&rc=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1%2C0%2C0%2Cprobably%2Cprobably&rb=1-LHtF2yVmV3wnsnFPZ0SLG0D32f%2FM0IEN6ypOGLOPg%2Fj24vqluabr2V04&rs=1-IUrPtvYVxBSdPA%3D%3D&sc=1&os=1-4Q%3D%3D&qp=00000&is=BBBBB2BBEYBvGl2BBCBBtUTE1RmsqbKW8BsrBu0rCFE48CRBeeBS2hWTMBBQeQBBn2soYggyUig0CBlWZ0uBBCCCCCCOgRBBiOfnE6Bkg7OxCb8MxOtJYHCBdm5kBhBBC9Y8oBXckXBR76iUUsJBCBBBBBBBBBWBBBj3BBBZeGV2BBBCMciUBBBjgEBBBBBB94UMgTdJMtEcpMBBBQBBBniOccBBBBBB47kNBBBBBBBBBBBBBhcjG6BBJM2L4Bk8BwCBQmIoRBBCzBz1BBCTClBBrbGBC4ehueB57NG9aJeRzBqEKiuwBBBB&iv=8&qt=0&gz=0&hh=0&hn=0&tw=&qc=0&qd=0&qf=1400&qe=900&qh=1400&qg=900&qm=0&qa=1400&qb=900&qi=1400&qj=900&to=000&po=1-0020002000002120&vy=ot%24b%5Bh%40%22oDgO%3DLlE6%3AYnIBMwqCf%5D)4%5Dz%2C%5B%26u9L%2F%2F%24b4%5DIAIbzbld%7Dt00%7Ca_BB%3FVxyEO%22zf4%5D%24cr16Zh5YigBghs%7ClTr1W*d%5B4kf%2FLyUoRdByZ%3C99Ks(I%7DY(T0c%7BDQ3MY.NjDby7p%26C&qr=0&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bloomberg.com%2Fpolitics%3Fpid%3D20601079%26refer%3Dhome%26sid%3DaJjibIGSkj4Q&pcode=bloombergprebidheader853620778109&rx=717838323854&callback=MoatNadoAllJsonpRequest_7013126|url-status=live}}</ref> This pick was later traded to the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]], along with Songaila, Thomas, and [[Oleksiy Pecherov]], in exchange for [[Randy Foye]] and [[Mike Miller (basketball, born 1980)|Mike Miller]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4282279|title=Source: Foye, Miller head to Wiz|website=[[ESPN]]|date=June 23, 2009|access-date=June 25, 2009|archive-date=November 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102185341/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4282279|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 21, 2009, Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld announced that the team had named [[Randy Wittman]] and [[Sam Cassell]] as assistant coaches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/59305/20090521/wizards_name_sam_cassell_assistant_coach/|title=Wizards Name Sam Cassell Assistant Coach|website=Realgm.com|access-date=May 22, 2009|archive-date=May 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090526214116/http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/59305/20090521/wizards_name_sam_cassell_assistant_coach|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Then on August 11, 2009, the Wizards signed [[Fabricio Oberto]], many weeks after he committed to signing with the team.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/23/AR2009072303442.html | newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | title=Fabricio Oberto Agrees to Sign With Washington Wizards, Adding to Team's Front Court | first=Michael | last=Lee | date=July 24, 2009 | access-date=May 27, 2010 | archive-date=July 2, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100702183743/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/23/AR2009072303442.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

In November, majority owner Abe Pollin died at the age of 85. At the time of his death, he was the longest-tenured owner in NBA history.<ref name="HP2009">{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/24/abe-pollin-dead-wizards-o_n_369646.html|title=Abe Pollin Dead: Wizards Owner Dies At 85|last=White|first=Joseph|date=November 24, 2010|work=Huffington Post|location=USA|access-date=March 27, 2011|archive-date=November 28, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091128105846/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/24/abe-pollin-dead-wizards-o_n_369646.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Control of the franchise passed to his widow Irene, though minority owner [[Ted Leonsis]] was known to be preparing a takeover bid.<ref name="HP2009"/>

On December 24, 2009, it was revealed that Arenas had admitted to storing unloaded firearms in his locker at [[Capital One Arena|Verizon Center]] and had surrendered them to team security. In doing so, Arenas violated both NBA rules against bringing firearms into an arena and D.C. ordinances.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4771109|title=Wizards: Arenas had firearms in locker|website=[[ESPN]]|date=December 24, 2009|access-date=January 9, 2010|archive-date=November 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104032558/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4771109|url-status=live}}</ref> On January 1, 2010, it was reported that Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittenton had unloaded guns in the Wizards' locker room during a Christmas Eve argument regarding gambling debts resulting in Arenas's suspension.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/nba-players-reportedly-drew-guns-in-christmas-eve-argument | publisher=Fox News | title=NBA Players Reportedly Drew Guns in Christmas Eve Argument | website=Foxnews.com | date=January 1, 2010 | access-date=January 9, 2010 | archive-date=October 24, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024011036/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,581718,00.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Despite Stern's longstanding practice of not disciplining players until the legal process played out, he felt compelled to act when Arenas' teammates surrounded him during pregame introductions prior to a game with the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] and he pantomimed shooting them with guns made from his fingers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Gilbert-Arenas-continues-to-take-gun-case-in-str?urn=nba,212006|title=Gilbert Arenas continues to take gun case in stride|website=Sports.yahoo.com|access-date=November 20, 2015|archive-date=October 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022142839/http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Gilbert-Arenas-continues-to-take-gun-case-in-str?urn=nba,212006|url-status=live}}</ref> The Wizards issued a statement condemning the players' pregame stunt as "unacceptable".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4802267|title=Arenas suspended indefinitely|website=[[ESPN]]|date=January 6, 2010|access-date=January 9, 2010|archive-date=October 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016233418/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4802267|url-status=live}}</ref>

On February 13, 2010, after a 17–33 record at the season's midway point, The Wizards traded Butler, Haywood, and Stevenson to the Mavericks in exchange for [[Josh Howard]], Drew Gooden, Quinton Ross and [[James Singleton (basketball)|James Singleton]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4912262|title=Butler to Mavs, Wiz get Howard|work=ESPN|date=February 14, 2010|access-date=December 15, 2022|last=Stein|first=Marc|archive-date=December 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215100549/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4912262|url-status=live}}</ref> Three days later, the Wizards traded [[Antawn Jamison]] to the Cavaliers in exchange for [[Zydrunas Ilgauskas]] and obtained [[Al Thornton]] from the [[2009–10 Los Angeles Clippers season|Los Angeles Clippers]] in a three-team deal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/trade_100217.html|title=Cavaliers Acquire All-Star Forward Antawn Jamison in Three-Team Trade|date=February 17, 2010|access-date=December 15, 2022|work=Cleveland Cavaliers|publisher=NBA|location=Cleveland|archive-date=December 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215100544/https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/trade_100217.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Ilgauskas reported long enough to take a physical (to make the trade official). His contract was immediately bought out, making him a free agent.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-wizards-buy-out-c-zydrunas-ilgauskas-waive-him-2010feb25-story.html|title=Wizards buy out C Zydrunas Ilgauskas, waive him|work=The San Diego Union-Tribune|agency=The Associated Press|date=February 25, 2010|access-date=December 15, 2022|location=Washington|archive-date=December 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215100543/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-wizards-buy-out-c-zydrunas-ilgauskas-waive-him-2010feb25-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 26, 2010, the Wizards signed [[Shaun Livingston]] to a 10-day contract.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nba.com/wizards/news/livingston_100226.html|title=Wizards Sign Guard Shaun Livingston|date=February 26, 2010|access-date=December 15, 2022|work=Washington Wizards|publisher=NBA|archive-date=December 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215100546/https://www.nba.com/wizards/news/livingston_100226.html|url-status=live}}</ref> With Gilbert Arenas suspended and Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison being traded, the Wizards finished the season at {{Win-loss record|w=26|l=56}}, posting an abysmal 9–23 record to finish the season. They were the only [[Southeast Division (NBA)|Southeast Division]] team not to make the postseason.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/standings?Season=2009-10&GroupBy=div|title=NBA 2009-10 Regular Season Standings (By conference)|work=NBA|access-date=December 15, 2022|archive-date=December 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215100536/https://www.nba.com/standings?Season=2009-10&GroupBy=div|url-status=live}}</ref>