WASHINGTON (Map, News) - In response to Gilbert Arenas’ blog ultimatum that he’ll stay with the Wizards only if the team re-signs free agent Antawn Jamison, President Ernie Grunfeld took the high road Thursday.

“It’s good because we’re on the same page,” said Grunfeld. “We want to sign Antawn. We want to sign Gilbert. So I kind of liked it.”

In his state-of-the-team address at Verizon Center, Grunfeld’s theme was continuity. He expressed disappointment at the Wizards’ third straight playoff loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, but said he wants coach Eddie Jordan to return along with the All-Star trio of Arenas, Jamison and Caron Butler.  

“This team has shown it can be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference when we have all our pieces. Very few teams in the league can put three legitimate All-Stars out there,” said Grunfeld. “I believe in continuity. I believe in keeping your core together if possible. We want to see how everything would be if we had everybody together.”

Despite missing Arenas for 69 regular-season games with a knee injury and Butler for 24 with an assortment of ailments, the Wizards went 43-39 and secured the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Grunfeld pointed to several positive developments.

“I think the team has grown,” said Grunfeld. “I think the young players have improved. I think Brendan Haywood had an outstanding year. The bench was much deeper than in the past. I’d like to see what we’d do with all three players together for a significant time.”

Official contact with free agents cannot take place before July 1. Until then, Grunfeld said his attention will be on the NBA Draft, June 26. The Wizards have the No. 18 pick.

“It is a deep draft and there will be a player there,” said Grunfeld. “I don’t think you can ever depend on a rookie to come in and be a difference-maker, especially on a veteran team and we’re a pretty deep team already.”

Grunfeld also mentioned the possibility of a trade. With their depth, the Wizards could package a player and their pick to move up in the draft or acquire a future pick.

It promises to be a busy summer for Grunfeld as he tries to position his team for postseason success.

“The players feel like it’s not enough just to make the playoffs,” said Grunfeld. “We want to advance in the playoffs and see how far we can go and the first step toward that is to get home court advantage. All our players are committed to that. They have the confidence that this group can compete with anyone. Now we have to show it.”