Vince Carter/Gilbert Arenas Deal Was ‘Discussed’

According to the Washington Post, though, the talks didn’t get very far: “The Washington Wizards spoke with the Orlando Magic recently about a potential swap of Gilbert Arenas for Vince Carter, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation. The source added that the talks didn’t get very far and that it was merely a ‘business as usual’ exploratory conversation between teams around the NBA draft. ‘Nothing to it now,’ the source said. Another league source vehemently shot down speculation that Magic General Manager Otis Smith is pursuing Arenas, considering their close relationship. One prominent player agent sounded less than optimistic about the possible deal. ‘Not going to happen,’ he said. Smith has been one of Arenas’s confidants since Arenas was a rookie in Golden State and Smith was a member of the Warriors’ front office. Orlando has been rumored as a possible destination for Arenas ever since he received a season-ending, 50-game suspension for bringing guns to the locker room in a dispute with Javaris Crittenton. Arenas initially told those close to him that he had no desire to play again for Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld and added that he would like to go to Orlando, where he has a residence. Smith offered Arenas advice throughout his legal and personal struggles, urging him to take a lower profile in the midst of the controversy surrounding him. When asked in February about the speculation about a possible reunion of the two in Orlando, Smith didn’t exactly shoot down the possibility. ‘Everyone would make that connection because I’m the general manager and I’ve been a mentor of his since he came into the league. That’s an easy connection,’ Smith said. ‘I’m not necessarily sure that’s going to happen. We have a long way to go before we get to the basketball portion of his career.”‘