The Orlando Magic's trade discussions with the Washington Wizards regarding point guard Gilbert Arenas may involve the Magic sending more back to Washington than first thought. A source advised Orlando Pinstriped Post that combo forward Rashard Lewis, who owns the league's second-largest salary, is "being discussed" in this potential trade, with shooting guard Vince Carter also headed to the nation's capital.
Lewis' potential inclusion in the trade changes its dynamics entirely, as it'd signal a clear signal that Orlando intends to trim salary. Such a development corroborates an earlier report by CBSSports' Ken Berger. He quotes "a source familiar with the Magic's plans as saying, "they're not in the same class as Boston or Miami. With a $94 million payroll, they didn’t do that to get out of the first round. The window has closed up a bit."
Lewis and Carter combine to earn over $37 million this season, according to ShamSports, so if the Magic were to send them both to Washington, the Wizards would have to include more than Arenas' $17.7 million salary to make the trade work under the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement. My source did not know which players Orlando would receive in this scenario, but did say it's "unlikely" that veteran combo guard Kirk Hinrich would be in their number.
It's important to note that trade discussions often include mentions of players who do not ultimately change sides when a deal is finished. As such, it's possible that either Lewis or Carter could stay with the Magic even if Orlando acquires Arenas. And again it's important to point out that a trade does not look imminent at this point. However, it does appear as though Orlando is very motivated to shake up its roster, and the chances it does so in the near future are high.
To the source's knowledge, the Magic have not included young big men Ryan Anderson, Brandon Bass, or Marcin Gortat in trade discussions with the Wizards. Last week, Magic President of Basketball Operations Otis Smith named those three players as the ones to whom most trade calls he receives pertain.