WASHINGTON - Two-time all-star forward Antawn Jamison re-signed with the Washington Wizards yesterday, agreeing to a four-year, $50 million deal.

The contract clears the way for the team to focus on its other major free agent: three-time all-star Gilbert Arenas. Arenas has said he would not return unless the team also re-signed Jamison.

"He said he'd take less money if he got me, and they got me," Jamison said. "So I think everything will get worked out with Gilbert."

Jamison arrived in Washington yesterday to sign the contract, and the Wizards will hold a news conference today.

"There wasn't any doubt in my mind that I'd be back," said Jamison, 32, who has been a strong locker room leader in his four seasons with the Wizards.

Jamison has also been reliable in the stat book. He has averaged at least 19.6 points and 7.6 rebounds each year since his arrival in Washington 2004. Last season was the best in his 10-year career - 21.4 points and a career-high 10.2 rebounds - as he and Caron Butler helped lead the Wizards to a fourth straight playoff berth.

The Wizards were able to negotiate with Jamison because he became an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, but talks with Arenas can't begin until today because the point guard opted out of his contract.

Arenas has said he took the opt-out so he could sign a more lucrative deal, which means talks will likely hover in the $100 million range for a six-year contract.

Lakers extend offers to Vujacic, Turiaf

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - The Los Angeles Lakers have given qualifying offers to restricted free agents Sasha Vujacic and Ronny Turiaf.

The Lakers, beaten by Boston in six games in the NBA Finals, are expected to remain essentially intact for next season.

As restricted free agents, Vujacic and Turiaf may sign an offer sheet with any team, but the Lakers would have the right to match.

Timberwolves give offers to three players

MINNEAPOLIS - The Minnesota Timberwolves extended qualifying offers to restricted free agents Ryan Gomes, Craig Smith and Chris Richard and chose to let Sebastian Telfair and Kirk Snyder become unrestricted free agents.

The moves were a formality the team had to go through with the start of the free agent bidding period that began at midnight last night.

By qualifying Gomes, Smith and Richard, the Wolves retained their right of first refusal for all three players. That means they will have the option of matching any offer the players get from another team.