The Washington Wizards signed first-round draft choice Jarvis Hayes to a three-year contract yesterday, the club announced.
Hayes, the 10th overall pick in June's draft, was eligible to sign for up to $4.7 million for three years with a fourth year at the club's option, under the NBA's sliding scale for draft selections.
But Hayes, like Denver's Carmelo Anthony and Miami's Dwyane Wade, elected to postpone his signing until the Wizards could complete their run at free agency, so as not to tie up the club's salary cap. The Wizards signed former Golden State point guard Gilbert Arenas to a six-year, $66 million contract earlier this month.
With the signing of Hayes, who left Georgia after his junior year, the Wizards are believed to be capped out and are likely finished with any roster moves heading into next month's training camp.
In another development, Wizards president of basketball operations Ernie Grunfeld said the club would have no comment on Friday's arrest of forward Kwame Brown, in his hometown of Brunswick, Ga., on drunken-driving charges, until the matter is resolved.
Brown, who will enter his third season this fall, was charged with misdemeanor driving while under the influence, having an open container of alcohol and failure to maintain his lane. A field test showed that Brown, who was charged in April 2002 with driving 120 mph in a 60-mph zone, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.15, nearly twice the state's 0.08 limit.
If convicted, Brown could face a suspension from the league. Phoenix Suns guard Stephon Marbury and Philadelphia 76ers center Derrick Coleman were each suspended one game last season pending DUI convictions.
