Gilbert Arenas, who is the most coveted player left on the free-agent market, signed a six-year offer sheet with the Washington Wizards on Monday night believed to be in the $65 million range.

	Arenas

"He has signed the (Wizards') offer sheet," Dan Fegan, Arenas' agent, told ESPN.com.

"I don't know if the story's hit yet, but he made his choice to Washington," Gilbert Arenas Sr. told the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday from his home in Los Angeles County.

Because Arenas is a restricted free agent, the Golden State Warriors have 15 days to match the offer. But the Warriors would have to move at least three players, without taking back any salary, to get far enough under the salary cap to match the Wizards' offer.

As a team over the cap, Golden State is helpless to counter any offer with a starting salary exceeding the league average of $4.9 million.

Washington and the Los Angeles Clippers pounced on the Warriors' limitations by making offers in the $60 million range, and Arenas was thought to be leaning toward signing with L.A. -- given his oft-stated preference for living on the West Coast.

"Gilbert is an outstanding young player who fits in very well with the core of our team," Wizards president of basketball operations Ernie Grunfeld told The Associated Press. "The team is full of talented young players who can grow together and be a playoff contender for years to come."

Arenas helped lead the Warriors to respectability last year and was selected as the NBA's Most Improved Player after averaging 18.3 points, 6.3 assists and 4.7 rebounds.

Arenas Sr., who accompanied his son on a two-day visit to the Wizards, told the San Francisco Chronicle that the personal involvement of Wizards owner Abe Pollin was an important factor in the decision of his son.

"I don't think he wanted to leave the Warriors' organization, but this was a great opportunity for him," Arenas Sr. said. "He had a great time. Let's face it, you're in the West and you have the fans behind you. It was hard for him to make a decision."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.