Wizards Sign Rod Strickland

Rod Strickland agreed to a contract with the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, ending the latest round of nasty negotiations between the team and agent David Falk.

The free-agent point guard, who led the league in assists last season, is to report for his first practice Thursday, just one day before the Wizards open their season at Indiana.

A Wizards spokeswoman confirmed the agreement, with details not immediately available. General manager Wes Unseld, usually a regular at practice, was conspicuously absent Thursday.

The deal comes after a face-to-face meeting Tuesday night between Falk and Unseld, breaking a stalemate that had lasted more than a week and produced terse public comments from both men.

Falk had been asking for a five-year deal worth $55 million -- $10 million less than his original offer. The Wizards are offering a three-year deal worth $27 million guaranteed, plus two more years worth $23 million if Strickland meets certain performance incentives.

Falk contended that any player of Strickland's caliber would have his entire contract guaranteed. The Wizards balked at committing five years of salary cap money to a 32-year-old player who has had his share of off-court problems.

Strickland averaged 17.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 10.5 assists last season, but he also was convicted of drunken driving, missed team functions and regularly was late for practices and games. He would sometimes get sick on the bench after gulping a quick junk food supper before tip-off.

Earlier this week, Falk said Strickland had "completely changed his lifestyle." Unseld was not impressed, and said if a deal wasn't reached by the first game, the negotiations would cease and he would bear the responsibility if the team played poorly.

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Rod Strickland and the izards finally got a deal done. (AP)

David Falk has held difficult, sometimes bitter, and very public negotiations with the Wizards.

Last week, Falk released a statement from Strickland in which the player asked: "Is this any way to treat a productive employee because he exhibits loyalty?"

An angry Unseld said he hoped the atmosphere wasn't "too poisoned." Each said it was the other's turn to make a move.

With Strickland and Mitch Richmond, acquired in a trade before the lockout, the Wizards have one of the best backcourts in the league. Without Strickland, the starter would have been Chris Whitney, mostly a reserve during his five years in the league.

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