WASHINGTON (Map, News) - It’s time for the Wizards to answer some hard questions whether the offseason begins tonight or a few days.

Washington trails Cleveland 3-1 in the first-round series that many expected the Wizards to win until mouthing off beforehand to awaken the Cavaliers. The pregame boasting fueled Cleveland to an insurmountable 2-0 series lead. The Wiz delivered a knuckle sandwich in Game 3, but that was their manhood talking. Failing to repeat it in a last-second loss on Sunday seals the Wiz’s early ouster whether the Cavs need one or three games to do it.

For the third straight year, Cleveland will oust Washington in the first round, this time with a makeshift team around superstar LeBron James. That’s unacceptable. It’s no longer enough to make the playoffs four consecutive years. It’s time to get better and the Wizards won’t do so with the current organization.

Owner Abe Pollin is loyal, once keeping Wes Unseld as coach and general manager years too long. Pollin won’t show coach Eddie Jordan the door, but president Ernie Grunfeld might. This isn’t saying Jordan is the reason for the underperforming Wiz, but someone has to take the blame. Jordan is vulnerable even given the legitimate excuse of injuries to Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler for the second straight year. The Wiz just seem to be missing something and maybe a new boss can find it.

I’m not saying fire Jordan, but the Wiz front office must consider whether new energy is needed.

Re-signing Antawn Jamison and Arenas over the offseason is not automatic. Maybe the Wiz can find money to retain the All-Stars. However, maybe they don’t won’t given the current chemistry isn’t producing.

Arenas is a very tricky situation. Agent Zero is a superb player who gets credit for recently returning despite being hurt. There’s no denying Arenas’ desire, but we’re talking a big-money contract that will define the team for the next five years. Arenas has been hurt two straight seasons. What happens if the next injury is career-ending or diminishing? Unfortunately, it’s a risk that won’t be known this summer before signing.

It’s hard to let a star player walk away in a franchise that was nothing before his arrival. But, maybe the Wiz need a new path if the goal is truly the championship and not just filling seats.

Arenas will probably be re-signed, but if he isn’t then Jamison should return. Jamison is a well-rounded star. However, he’s not the final piece like Arenas. If the bidding gets too high, the Wiz must walk away.

The easy path has Jordan, Jamison and Arenas returning. But, does that merely mean another early playoff exit is enough for fans? To truly contend, the Wiz need changes. It’s may be painful, but the current model just isn’t working.

Grunfeld won’t get much sleep this summer.

Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at rsnider@dcexaminer.com.