Wizards try putting it back together

The Washington Wizards’ tumultuous, injury-riddled season came to an end Friday with another first-round exit from the playoffs. That, of course, doesn’t mean the turmoil is over for the summer.

Power forward and team captain Antawn Jamison is an unrestricted free agent.

And franchise player Gilbert Arenas has maintained he will opt out of his current deal in search for a long-term max contract, a move that will make him an unrestricted free agent as well.

Re-signing both players tops the Wizards’ to-do list this summer.

Jamison is coming off his finest season with the team, averaging a team-high 21.4 points and 10.2 rebounds. Arenas, meanwhile, missed a total of 69 games this season while recovering from a Nov. 21 knee surgery and never returned to the 28-point, six-assist form he posted last season.

Team owner Abe Pollin addressed the team last week before it departed for its Game 5 playoff matchup in Cleveland and said he would be sure to bring both players back. Team president Ernie Grunfeld could not be reached for comment yesterday but said last month that “we’ll do what we need to do to keep [Arenas and Jamison].”

When asked yesterday, Wizards coach Eddie Jordan wouldn’t go into what personnel moves the team needs to make this offseason, but he did say Arenas and Jamison top the list.

“We’ve said it all along from Mr. Pollin to Ernie to myself. It’s a priority to sign Gilbert and Antawn,” Jordan said.

Jamison, one of only five players in the league this season to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, made $16.3 million this year but will turn 32 next year. His price tag reportedly could be between $12 million and $13 million a year, but he could sign for less to stay in Washington because he has said “I’m a firm believer that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.”

Arenas made $11.9 million this season and would be due to earn $12.8 million next year. By opting out, Arenas could sign a max deal that would mean a 12.5 percent increase in the first year of a contract that could reach $100 million.

Last month Arenas said he would be willing to take a pay cut so the Wizards could retain Jamison and that signing for the greatest long-term security was more important than maxing out in the dollar category. The Wizards could sign Arenas for six seasons, while other NBA teams could sign him for only five.

Arenas can’t sign the documentation to opt out until the NBA Finals conclude next month. He then has to turn in the papers to the league office by July 1, when teams can start talking to free agents.

Both have said at various points this season that they want to return to the Wizards.

Co-captain Caron Butler and veteran Antonio Daniels both said yesterday they expect both Jamison and Arenas to return next season.

“I think it will be the case, and I’m almost positive that it will be the case that Gil and ‘Twan will be back in a Wizards uniform,” Butler said. “I just have a hunch. Reliable source.”

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