Bibby agrees to buyout with Wizards
Share This Story
WASHINGTON (AP)
Mike Bibby gave up $6.2 million rather than stay with the last-place Washington Wizards.
The veteran guard reached a buyout agreement with the Wizards on Monday, beating by one day a deadline that will allow him to sign with another team in time for be eligible for a playoff roster.
Bibby played only two games with Washington after he was acquired last week in the five-player trade that sent Kirk Hinrich to the Atlanta Hawks. He will receive the remainder of his $5.6 million salary for this season, but he gave up his entire amount of the final season of his contract for his freedom.
''It's surprising,'' coach Flip Saunders said. ''But I guess you have to give the player credit. Sometimes when you're in the latter part of your career, there's other things that become important, and so you hope the agenda for him is to win.''
Bibby is the latest veteran to beat a quick exit out of town rather than play for a team enduring a long-term rebuilding process. Zydrunas Ilgauskas bought out his contract before ever playing a game after he was traded to the Wizards a year ago, and Drew Gooden also didn't suit up in between his arrival from the Dallas Mavericks and his departure for the Los Angeles Clippers in a pair of trades in 2010.
Bibby, 29, came to the Wizards with Maurice Evans, Jordan Crawford and a first-round pick for Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong. The Wizards were initially hoping Bibby would assume Hinrich's role as a mentor for No. 1 overall pick John Wall.
Wizards at a glance
Looking for the latest on the Wizards? Get the inside slant, stats, scores, schedules and more scoops right here.
But Bibby was less than thrilled about a deal that sent him from a playoff team to a club destined again for the lottery. In his two games, he played 29 minutes and scored two points with eight assists.
Saunders said it's tough losing another veteran on an already young team, but the benefits are worth it.
''It gives us unbelievably great financial flexibility next year,'' Saunders said. ''We're not right now a team that's in a playoff-type situation. I think it's a win-win situation.''
The Wizards replaced Bibby on the roster by re-signing guard Mustafa Shakur for the remainder of the season. Shakur had two 10-day contracts with the Wizards earlier this year, averaging 3.3 points and 2.2 assists over six games.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Report: Ex-champ Tapia found dead
Troubled five-time world boxing champion Johnny Tapia was found dead in his Albuquerq... -
Spurs-Heat is culture clash we need
Boring? Hell, the Spurs are winners -- and winning can be more thrilling than porn. -
Skydiver dies after both chutes fail
A veteran skydiver died in a horror accident in Australia over the weekend, when both... -
Two killed as rally car strikes crowd
A race car went out of control on a rural Irish road and crashed into a crowd of abou... -
Kahne captures Coca-Cola 600
Kahne charges to commanding Charlotte victory.
NBA Videos
Spurs take Game 1 from Thunder
Posted: May 28, 2012
Hear from Gregg Popovich and Tony Parker after the Spurs 101-98 win over the Thu...
Hear from Gregg Popovich and Tony Parker after the Spurs 101-98 win over the Thu...
Thunder fall short to Spurs
Posted: May 28, 2012
Hear from Scott Brooks and Kevin Durant after their Game 1 loss to San Antonio.
Hear from Scott Brooks and Kevin Durant after their Game 1 loss to San Antonio.
Marques: BOS/MIA preview
Posted: May 27, 2012
Marques Johnson dishes on the Celtics and Heat series.
Marques Johnson dishes on the Celtics and Heat series.
NBA Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| adidas Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Gold | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Lakers/browse/featuredproduct/491688/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_491000/ff_491688_xl.jpg&w=100 | 89.95 | adidas Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-.. |
| adidas LeBron James Miami Heat Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Black | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Miami_Heat/browse/featuredproduct/498609/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_498000/ff_498609_xl.jpg&w=100 | 89.95 | adidas LeBron James Miami Heat Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Black |
| \'47 Brand Orlando Magic Black Hardwood Classics Franchise Fitted Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Orlando_Magic/browse/featuredproduct/505997/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_505000/ff_505997_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | \'47 Brand Orlando Magic Black Hardwood Classics Franchise Fitted Hat |
| New Era Dallas Mavericks Black Primary Logo 59FIFTY Flat Bill Fitted Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dallas_Mavericks/browse/featuredproduct/614631/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_614000/ff_614631_xl.jpg&w=100 | 34.95 | New Era Dallas Mavericks Black Primary Logo 59FIFTY Flat Bill Fitted Hat |
| Boston Celtics Team Mascot Gnome | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Boston_Celtics/browse/featuredproduct/617849/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_617000/ff_617849_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | Boston Celtics Team Mascot Gnome |
| Mitchell & Ness Houston Rockets Red Solid Script Snapback Adjustable Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Houston_Rockets/browse/featuredproduct/692238/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_692000/ff_692238_xl.jpg&w=100 | 25.95 | Mitchell & Ness Houston Rockets Red Solid Script Snapback Adjustable Hat |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.