Wizards Opt To Stick With Jeffries

The Washington Wizards have chosen to pick up the fourth year option on forward Jared Jeffries but not on guard Juan Dixon, the Washington Post is reporting.

According to President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfield the decision to decline the option on Dixon was was made to give the team the ability to keep several free agents.

Starting shooting guard Larry Hughes will be an unrestricted free agent. Starting big men Kwame Brown and Brendan Haywood and backup point guard Steve Blake will be restricted free agents next summer. Grunfeld said the decision to pass on Dixon's option was strictly business.

"We like both players," he said. "Jared has some size to him and he has shown some progress, as has Juan. But this doesn't mean that down the road, Juan isn't a part of the organization. We just have a lot of money tied up in the guard position and this gives us more flexibility."

Washington had until Sunday to sign Brown and Haywood to extensions.

Via Washington Post

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NBA Gives Davis, Curry and Haywood Suspensions

Antonio Davis and Eddy Curry of the Bulls received two-game suspensions, Washington's Larry Hughes drew a one-game suspension and Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich was handed a $10,000 fine.

Brendan Haywood of the Washington Wizards was suspended for three games by the NBA on Wednesday for fighting during a preseason game against the Chicago Bulls.

The penalties were announced Wednesday by NBA vice president Stu Jackson, who found Haywood most at fault for the fight late in the third quarter of Chicago's 100-95 victory on Monday night.

Haywood, Davis and Curry were suspended for throwing punches, while Hughes was penalized for initiating the confrontation by head-butting Hinrich.

The suspensions take effect with the opening of the NBA regular season next week.

Via ESPN

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Bulls and Wizards Brawl in Preseason Contest

With 3 minutes 22 seconds left in the third quarter and the Wizards leading the Bulls by 16 points, Chicago forward Luol Deng made a behind-the-back dribble just inside the three-point line to get around Gilbert Arenas. Deng had a clear path to the hoop when Hughes came charging hard from the side.

Bulls point guard Kirk Hinrich tried to cut off Hughes, but Hughes shoved Hinrich into Deng, causing Deng to land awkwardly on his backside. "I did give him a nice push," Hughes said.

Hinrich took exception and approached Hughes, then Haywood pushed Hinrich. Haywood later said: "Somebody pushed me. I think it was him, Antonio Davis." He then pushed Davis with both hands. "It was uncalled for," Davis said.

As Davis motioned toward Haywood, Hughes pushed Davis and shouted at him. Then, Haywood swung at Davis, punching him in the face. Haywood backpedaled for about 15 feet, losing his footing before Davis ran through official Bill Kennedy to wrestle Haywood to the floor.

Davis, who was at that point atop the 7-foot Haywood, threw a punch before players from both teams piled on top of each other. Michael Ruffin grabbed Davis to pull him from Haywood, and Bulls forward Eddy Curry swung at Haywood's midsection.

Via Washington Post

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