(Best E Casino) - The Washington Wizards wasted no time making their first major statement of the offseason, re-signing All-Star forward Antawn Jamison to a lucrative, multi-year contract.

More headlines appear imminent for the team.

Guard Gilbert Arenas is reportedly close to inking a monstrous deal of over $100 million with Washington. The 26-year-old Arenas missed 69 games during the 2007-08 regular-season because of a knee injury, but averaged 19.4 points and 5.1 assists in the 13 regular season appearances, and also played in four of the six contests against Cleveland in the first round of the playoffs.

Keeping Arenas and Jamison is going to cost the Wizards close to $150 million over the life of the contracts, a huge commitment for a franchise that has won just one playoff series during the past four years. Still, the club is hardly standing pat.

Arenas, Baron Davis and Elton Brand entered the summer's free agency period as the most significant players available. All three are unrestricted, opting out of their contracts in order for a chance at signing the best deal.

In addition, there are some attractive names who are restricted, which means that their original team will have the right to match any offer. Signing a coveted restricted free agent requires creativity, and the hope that the other team won't match.

Remember that trades are not easy to make in the NBA because of the salary cap, meaning free agency is a key time for teams to either improve themselves or avoid attrition.

Memphis, Philadelphia and the Clippers (if they let both Brand and Corey Maggette walk away) have money to play with in free agency. Sign-and-trade deals need to be worked out by teams who don't have cap room, if they want to bring in an impact free agent.

Though Arenas is likely off the board, there are some players who can make a difference if teams are able to lure them away with a sales pitch and, more importantly, the big dollars.

Check out some of those available and where they could end up playing in the 2008-09 campaign:

UNRESTRICTED:

1. ELTON BRAND (CLIPPERS) - The Duke product missed 74 games this past season because of a rupture to his left Achilles tendon. The talented power forward averaged 17.6 points and 8.0 rebounds in eight games, and appeared to be healthy during his return to the court.

The 29-year-old Brand reportedly walked away from over $16 million to test the free agent market. Philadelphia needs a low-post scorer and Brand fits the suit. The Sixers have approximately $11 million to work with and could free up more money through trades.

Still, Philly would be gambling on Brand, whose injury remains a cause for concern. The Clippers will overpay to keep Brand, as losing him without getting anything in return would be more devastating for LA's second NBA franchise. Expect Brand to stay with the Clippers.

2. BARON DAVIS (WARRIORS) - The star point guard loves the west coast, but may be willing to change addresses if the right situation presents itself. Rumors that Golden State was talking to Detroit about a possible trade for Davis are apparently false.

Davis, who gave up close to $18 million to become a free agent, was not thrilled with Warriors head coach Don Nelson at the end of the season. The 29- year-old two-time All-Star is the perfect candidate for a sign-and-trade deal.

Cleveland and New York are possible destinations if Davis decides not to re- sign with Golden State. The Cavaliers are still looking for that complementary player to LeBron James, while new Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni is looking for the right point guard to quarterback his offense in the Big Apple.

This is one of the big names in free agency who may be wearing a new jersey next season.

3. COREY MAGGETTE (CLIPPERS) - Like Brand, the 6-6 Maggette, who averaged a team-best 22.1 points in 70 games this past season, opted out of his contract with the Clippers.

Reportedly, he wouldn't mind a return to his former club, Orlando, which would welcome his athleticism and ability to score. Maggette was originally drafted by Orlando in 1999 but played just one season for the Magic.

Orlando lost in five games to the Pistons in the East semis, and knows it needs to add some pieces to the puzzle. The 28-year-old Maggette would be a nice fit and probably would take loss money to return to the Magic.

The Clippers can offer Maggette the biggest dollar, but the former Duke Blue Devil may be willing to take a mid-level deal that starts at approximately $5.8 million and runs over four-to-five years. He was due to make $7 million in the final year of his contract with Los Angeles.

4. JAMES POSEY (CELTICS) - After winning a championship with the Celtics, Posey has decided to see if the grass is greener on the other side. He will be seeking the maximum out of a mid-level deal, and the highest bidder will get Posey's services.

The swingman is a solid defender and can knock down the big shot in pressure situations. The 31-year-old Posey averaged 7.4 points and 4.4 rebounds during the regular season, and was a big contributor during Boston's playoff run. He is the perfect role player for a team that is on the cusp of competing for the title.

The Cavaliers, Hornets, Mavericks, Pistons, and Lakers should all have Posey on their radar screens. His style of play would fit particularly well in Detroit.

5. RICKY DAVIS (HEAT) - The 28-year-old Davis has behaved himself over the last few years, and would be a nice addition to a team that needs scoring. The 6-7 Davis played in all 82 regular-season games for Miami, and averaged 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists.

If Davis wants to take less money to play for a winner, there will be a lot of clubs bidding for his services. Dallas, Houston, New Orleans and Toronto may all be interested in the Iowa product.

RESTRICTED:

1. JOSH SMITH (HAWKS) - There is almost no way the Atlanta Hawks are going to let the high-flying Smith walk away, and will likely match any offer made to the versatile forward.

The 22-year-old Smith averaged 17.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 2.8 blocks in 81 games for the Hawks, who returned to the postseason for the first time since 1999 and memorably took the Celtics to the wire.

Smith is the first choice of the Sixers, who would have to free up all of their remaining cap space and then some if they think they have a real shot at getting him. Philadelphia may attempt to front-load a deal for Smith, which could make it difficult for Atlanta to match.

In the end, the Hawks will probably keep Smith no matter what it costs them, as losing him would be devastating to Atlanta.

2. MONTA ELLIS & ANDRIS BIEDRINS (WARRIORS) - Here is a situation where a restricted free agent may be attainable, as Golden State will have to write some big checks if it hopes to keep Ellis, Biedrins and Davis.

Ellis averaged 20.2 points this past season and is a fan favorite, while Biedrins led the Warriors in rebounding (9.8 rpg) and has shown that he is a solid center who is going to keep getting better. Both players are just 22 and have bright futures ahead of them.

If the Warriors keep Davis, they will likely sign only one of their restricted free agents. Meanwhile, signing Biedrins and Ellis may be the sign of the end of the Davis era in Golden State.

Keeping Biedrins and Ellis is the way to go for the Warriors. Davis is not a happy camper and they have a chance to finalize the divorce by not re-signing him. Other teams will be monitoring this situation closely.

3. LUOL DENG & BEN GORDON (BULLS) - Chicago selected point guard Derrick Rose with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, and will be looking to shake up its roster this offseason. Deng and Gordon both turned down contract extensions from Chicago in the past.

Gordon led the Bulls in scoring (18.6 ppg) in 2007-08, while the 6-9 Deng averaged 17.0 points and 6.3 rebounds in 63 games. Both players are looking for big deals, and the smart money is on Chicago keeping Deng and letting Gordon walk.

The 6-3 Gordon is coveted due to his scoring ability and range from the outside. A sign-and-trade deal makes a lot of sense here, though finding a trade partner may be tough, as the Connecticut product is seeking big dollars. New Orleans and Toronto may want to investigate this situation.

4. ANDRE IGUODALA (SIXERS) - Philadelphia will almost definitely keep the Arizona product, who is fresh off the best season of his career. The 24-year- old Iguodala played in all 82 regular-season contests and led the Sixers in scoring (19.9 ppg) while also posting 5.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.

The Sixers were one of the biggest surprises in the league this season, as they finished 40-42 and qualified for the playoffs. They were eliminated in six games in the opening round by the Pistons, and Iguodala was a big reason for there emergence.

Philly General Manager Ed Stefanski views the 6-6 Iguodala as a future All- Star and looks set to ink his best player to a lucrative, multi-year contract.

5. EMEKA OKAFOR (BOBCATS) - This could go either way. Some team is going to give the 6-11 Okafor a big contract, but it may not be the Bobcats. With new head coach Larry Brown calling the shots on the bench, Charlotte may be open to the idea of acquiring a veteran forward who is more accomplished than the 25-year-old Okafor, who averaged 13.8 points and a team-best 10.7 rebounds in 82 games this past season.

This could be another sign-and-trade situation, and Memphis may be a fit. The Grizzlies have the available funds and need a big man. Okafor, Rudy Gay and OJ Mayo would be a solid trio for Memphis to build around.