I'm serious about this.

Trading for Gilbert Arenas, as far as I can tell, is essentially like extending Vince Carter's contract indefinitely. We are 1.5 seasons away from having to woo Dwight Howard to keep him in blue and white. As it stands, we are in a position -- however limited -- to maintain flexibility in 2011, perhaps offer D12 some help, some incentive to stay.

Trading for Agent Zero is an all-in bet. And the risk appears to severely out-weigh the potential reward. There's some rule in gambling (forgive my ignorance) where you basically never bet more than you stand to gain. In no way does signing Gilbert Arenas turn the Magic into a championship contender. Given the financial burden he carries, he puts the Magic in a position to be stuck when it's time to re-sign Dwight at a time when he's likely signing the last major contract of his NBA career.

Thus, trading for Arenas risks the franchise for the potential to be...no better than we are now, and far more encumbered.

As a lifelong magic fan, who attended his first game as a six year old in 1989...this is deeply troubling to me.

And please refrain from bringing up the whole "how would losing Dwight Howard lose us the franchise?" argument. Because I will punch you in the throat.