It looked like Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas might soon be on his way out of Washington D.C. after SB Nation’s Orlando Magic blog Orlando Pinstriped Post reported that the Magic were having ongoing discussions about acquiring Arenas. However, Wizards owner Ted Leonsis denied that report to Michael Lee of the Washington Post:
Wizards Owner Says Gilbert Arenas Orlando Magic Trade Rumor ‘Isn’t True’
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."
Leonsis praised Arenas and said he wants him to remain on the team.
The team is trying to rebuild and Gilbert is one of the leaders on the team,” Leonsis wrote. “Gilbert is the best player on the team right now.”
He added, “The team is focused on getting healthy and playing better basketball.”
Lee also reports that while the two teams had talks over the summer that aren’t totally dead, the Magic are unwilling to take on Arenas’ big salary at this time.
It’s important to note that Leonsis denial does not mean the discussions never happened. It just means that a trade isn’t imminent. It’s possible discussions get rekindled at some point, and it’s equally possible that they never do. All we know for sure is that Arenas is not going to be traded to the Orlando Magic anytime soon.
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