Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards Deny Gilbert Arenas Trade Rumor
by Evan Dunlap on Dec 1, 2010 8:54 PM EST
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PrintHigh-ranking officials in the Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards organizations have refuted Orlando Pinstriped Post's earlier report that the Magic have engaged the Wizards in trade talks regarding Gilbert Arenas.
Via Twitter, Otis Smith, the Magic's President of Basketball Operations told Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel "he hasn't spoken with the Wizards about Gilbert Arenas."
In Washington, Wizards owner Ted Leonsis also denied those talks had taken place. The Washington Post's Michael Lee has more on that front:
Leonsis wrote in an e-mail, "It isn't true. I wouldn't tell you if it was true but I am telling you that it is not true."
A league source said on Wednesday that the Magic is open to making roster upgrades, with targets including Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and Arenas, given his connection with Magic General Manager Otis Smith. The Wizards contacted the Magic last summer about trading Arenas for Vince Carter's expiring contract, but the conversation didn't get very far. The source, though, said the talks were never totally dead.
These reports seem to indicate that these talks are fluid and ongoing, and the clubs may revisit them; you'll forgive me for being skeptical that they've truly died. Instead, I'm more inclined to believe--and this is only my inference--that a trade built around Arenas and Vince Carter may happen as the February deadline approaches.
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typical otis, always denying it....when has he agreed and said, yes im in talks with so-and-so and we're trying to get so-and-so
he’ll prob do a 180 and pick up melo somehow
no way
Carmelo would instantly make this team a favorite, but they don’t have the pieces. Melo is an expiring contract already, this means that vince is completely useless in such a trade. Arenas on the other hand is q lesser move but possible. A swap of rashard for arenas makes a lot of sense.
by plyka on Dec 1, 2010 10:05 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I would also add that the magic simply don’t have the tools to win a championship as currently constituted. A trade needs to be done from the magic perspective. This magic team is actually weaker than last year while the celtics and lakers are better.
by plyka on Dec 1, 2010 10:08 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
What?
Nelson’s in more consistent form, Carter’s improved, Bass has improved out of sight. Howard’s consistently getting better.
There is no way this team is worse this year than last. No way in the world.
by eltharion_doa on Dec 1, 2010 10:33 PM EST up reply actions
It’s possible that nelson and vince are putting up better statistical numbers over the season so far, but I see no fundamental difference in their games. With vince. You always get a guy who can put up decent numbers over stretches of the regular season, but once you get into the playoffs its reasonable to expect same old vince. Also its hard to argue he can improve at his age in any noticeable manner. Bass looks a lot better but rashard is a shell of his former self. The biggest difference may be Barnes who provided more intangibles than anyone else on the roster. And how exactly is Howard better? If you’re going to use numbers as evidence for vince and jameer, then do the same for Howard. His numbers have dropped. At best we are looking at a similar team to last year and one worse off than two years ago. This teqm had no chance against the celtics last year and probably should have been swept. Not sure how it’ll be any different this year. Unless a trade happens.
by plyka on Dec 2, 2010 1:18 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Howard's better because he's scoring an efficient 21.3 per game (closer to 23 before two mediocre games in a row now) with the highest usage rate of his career. His low-post game, as anyone who's watched him this season can attest, is vastly improved.
And he’s still providing elite rebounding and defense. Were the voting to be held today, he might win the MVP award.
You're obviously seeing something very different from me
Jameer’s back to his pre-All Star injury level of aggressiveness, and will post a comfortable career high PER. He’s shooting extremely well, driving hard, maintaining his dribble and distributing well. He’s also demanding the ball more and backing himself.
Carter’s on track to post career highs in TS%, eFG%, FG%, and he’s defending as well as he ever has. He looks more aggressive when he has the ball, and better positioned when he doesn’t.
Howard’s scoring has increased 10% over his previous career best per 36 minutes, and whilst his rebounds and blocks are down, his overall defensive intensity is up from what I can see.
Lewis hasn’t recorded significant declines in rebound rate, assist rate or block rate, and whilst his steals are down slightly, it’s not substantial. His defense is as good as ever, especially considering he’s been moved around the lineup. His FG% has dropped a whopping 0.03% and his 3pt% is up over last season. His scoring is down because he’s accepting a smaller role, allowing players like Bass and Howard to have more offensive possessions, and because he’s playing less minutes.
As for Barnes – he was a big reason we lost in the playoffs. The Celtics could play essentially 5 on 4 with the rest of the team because they didn’t respect his outside shooting. With either Pietrus or Richardson at the SF, or especially Lewis, we have a genuine three point threat that the big teams won’t be able to ignore on the defensive end. Sure, maybe we’re not going to get as many balls fake thrown at Kobe’s head, but frankly, that’s the kind of “intangibles” I can do without. I liked Barnes, but he wasn’t consistent enough offensively.
by eltharion_doa on Dec 2, 2010 4:50 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Magic still have a top3 defense among all categories, and Dwight is the root of that.
Just because he has a rebound less per game and slightly less blocks per game doesn’t mean his presence on defense is any less than it has been the last couple seasons.
I’m pretty sure his dip in numbers comes due to a dip in minutes- not anything to do with this play.
by David Polega on Dec 2, 2010 10:30 AM EST up reply actions
His per-minute numbers are very slightly down, but he’s getting a lot more looks on offense. Then again, he’s not playing with Rashard “Glass Allergy” Lewis at the 4, so his rebounding should be down slightly. His turnover rate is also down from 18.7% to 15.2%, which is a big plus. His lowest TO% of his career is 15.1%.
Honor is no substitute for victory.
Won't keep plyka from trying.
I love LeBron. No really, I love Jameer.
the lakers are so good they are in the midst of a 4 game losing streak!
good thing they got “better”
Lol…the back to back nba camps went into the playoffs last year rated 11th on hollingers power rankings. I wouldnt worry too much about them. Myopia is an epidemic with fans I think.
by plyka on Dec 2, 2010 1:23 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
It’s to show what their record was during the last portion of the season. Basically looking at a 13 and 6 record and focusing in a 4 game losing streak, at the beginning of the season mo less, is not an intelligent way of gauging how that team will do in the playoffs. It’s not reasoning involved but rather emotion.
by plyka on Dec 2, 2010 7:54 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Carter for Arenas
Is idiotic. We’d be tying up near enough to $40m a season between him and Lewis, and I think it makes us less likely to win a championship. Ray Allen and Kobe Bryant would utterly shred Arenas.
vince wasnt the person rumored to be traded
i dont think otis would ever do a vince – arenas swap as it would give us way too much guaranteed salary. the only way he would ever do it is lewis for arenas (which i really hope he doesnt do as it does not improve our team hardly at all).
Yeah, he was.
“What Orlando would send Washington in return for the three-time All-Star is less clear, but the proposed deal likely includes shooting guard Vince Carter, according to a source.”
Carter’s?
He’s been amazing- this wouldn’t be needed.
by David Polega on Dec 2, 2010 12:55 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, he's been good this year.
I brought up in the other post that the timing is curious with Vince playing so efficiently and within the system.
I love LeBron. No really, I love Jameer.
Rumors....
“League source”…Yeah right! maybe you are just wrong! how about thse apples?… anyone who knows and understand the type players/personalities that t the RDV prides it’s self in associating with, Gilbert, is NOT that type, Otis KNOWS this market, he knows Mr. Devos is NOT signing(wasting MONEY or talent/depth) on a guy who might lose it at any moment…and I think that the MAGIC’s CHEMISTRY is GREAT! and hope that Otis wouldn’t want to disturb the “GROOVE”…GO MAGIC….DWIGHT 4 MVP!!!!!
Thx for not gettin all “Brian Schmitz” on me…LOL….. Soooo, are you calling Otis a LIAR, or is he just keepin his hand close to his vest , so to speak? GO MAGIC!!!!
How long have you been following Orlando?
Otis Smith almost never tells the truth about trades, drafts or player re-signings.
by eltharion_doa on Dec 3, 2010 4:34 AM EST up reply actions
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