Magic, Wizards closing in on Lewis-for-Arenas deal

The Washington Wizards and Orlando Magic are close to a trade that will send guard Gilbert Arenas to Orlando in exchange for forward Rashard Lewis, a league source tells TNT's David Aldridge.

The proposed trade was expected to be completed Saturday, perhaps before the Wizards played the Miami Heat Saturday evening in Washington and the Magic host the 76ers in Orlando.

The deal would rid the Wizards of one of their biggest public relations headaches in years. While Arenas helped Washington make the playoffs for the first time in a decade and became an All-Star playing alongside Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison, his infamous suspension for bringing guns into the Verizon Center locker room last December as part of a prank and/or confrontation with then-teammate Javaris Crittenton cast a shadow over the franchise. Arenas was suspended by Commissioner David Stern for the final 50 games of last season and served time in a halfway house in the D.C. suburbs after pleading guilty to one felony count of carrying a pistol without a license.

Arenas returned to the Wizards this season and has played reasonably well, averaging 17.3 points and 5.6 assists for Washington. He would give Orlando someone who can create for himself and others off the dribble, something the Magic have sorely lacked this season as they has struggled at times against the league's better teams. And Arenas' close relationship with Orlando GM Otis Smith, who mentored Arenas while the two were in Golden State, has been well-documented.

Lewis is averaging his lowest point total in a decade for Orlando this season, scoring just 12.2 points a night on 41 percent shooting from the floor. He has struggled at times making the adjustment to playing more small forward this season than he has for the Magic; he thrived as a "stretch four" power forward playing next to center Dwight Howard in previous seasons, but the Magic has opted to give emerging forward Brandon Bass more minutes at that position this season.

The deal could save Washington at least $24 million; Arenas has four years and $80 million remaining on his $111 million deal signed two years ago, while Lewis has three years and $63 million left on the $124 million deal he signed as a free agent in 2007. But only $10 million of the $22.6 million he is owed in the final year of the contract, in 2012-13, is fully guaranteed. Lewis can increase the guarantee if he meets certain performance criteria between now and then

Magic to land Arenas, Richardson, Turkoglu

The Orlando Magic are set to complete a pair of blockbuster trades that will send them Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas(notes) and Hedo Turkoglu(notes) and Jason Richardson(notes) from the Phoenix Suns, league sources told Yahoo! Sports

As a prelude to the trade for Arenas, the Magic have agreed in principle to send guards Vince Carter(notes) and Michael Pietrus, backup center Marcin Gortat(notes), a first-round pick and $3 million to the Phoenix Suns for Turkoglu and Richardson, sources said.

The Magic also are nearing completion on a deal to send forward Rashard Lewis(notes) to the Wizards for Arenas, sources said. No other players or picks will be in that trade.

The Wizards’ pursuit of Arenas escalated in recent days, and Yahoo! Sports reported Friday the teams were nearing a deal.

Arenas had privately told people for days that he believed a deal will soon send him to Orlando, where he’ll be reunited with Magic general manager Otis Smith, a friend and mentor from Arenas’ days with the Golden State Warriors. After losing five of their past six games, the Magic have shown more urgency to find a perimeter scorer who can help them stay a viable contender in the Eastern Conference.

Arenas has four years and $60 million left on his Wizards deal. Following his 50-game suspension for bringing guns into the Wizards locker room last season, Arenas became further expendable after Washington drafted No. 1 overall pick John Wall(notes)(notes).

Lewis has three years and $66.5 million left on his contract, including this season

Mayweather freed from Vegas jail in battery case

LAS VEGAS (AP)—Police say boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been freed from a Las Vegas jail following his arrest on a misdemeanor warrant alleging he poked a security guard in the face last month outside his home.

Police Officer Jacinto Rivera said Friday that Mayweather’s release without bail from the Clark County jail came less than 12 hours after his arrest late Thursday at a Las Vegas-area casino.

Mayweather lawyer Richard Wright says the 33-year-old Mayweather has a Tuesday court date.

The warrant stems from a battery charge alleging Mayweather poked a 21-year-old security guard in the face during a Nov. 15 argument over parking tickets.

Mayweather had been free on bail on unrelated felony charges stemming from a September dispute with his children and their mother

Vikings hope Favre can return this week

Vikings hope Favre can return this week

Michael Vick leads NFL in Pro Bowl voting

PHILADELPHIA - Michael Vick(notes) leads Pro Bowl voting 1½ years after he was released from prison.

The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback had 729,838 fan votes, nearly 39,000 more than second-place Peyton Manning(notes), the NFL said Wednesday. Manning topped the balloting two weeks ago.

"I think it's just a credit to everything I've tried to accomplish on and off the field, just working as hard as I can to change things around, be a part of the solution and not the problem," Vick said. "I changed my life and it just goes to show anybody can do it. It's an unfortunate situation, the things that happened, I wish I could go back and change it all. I wish I could take it all back. The only thing I can do is move forward."

It's the latest evidence many fans seem willing to forgive Vick for the vicious dogfighting operation that sent him to prison for 18 months — and embrace his stunning return to NFL stardom. A backup to start the season, Vick has led the Eagles to first place in the NFC East, accounting for 21 touchdowns and throwing just two interceptions.

"I appreciate my fans, man," Vick said. "Couldn't do it without them. Been very supportive over the last three years. What more can you ask for?"

Manning had 691,146 votes, which led the AFC, followed by New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady(notes) (623,074), Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (591,598) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers(notes) (547,340).

Online Pro Bowl voting ends Dec. 20. The teams are picked by a vote combination from fans, players and coaches.

Vick, a three-time Pro Bowler with the Atlanta Falcons, pleaded guilty to federal dogfighting charges in August 2007. He was released from federal custody and conditionally reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in July 2009. But it wasn't clear how much interest teams would have in the quarterback who once wowed fans with his unique skills, yet frustrated them with his inconsistency when he last played in the league in 2006.

The Eagles signed him before last season, when he was the third-string quarterback and had limited playing time as a change of pace. Even after Philadelphia traded away Donovan McNabb(notes), Vick was expected to back up Kevin Kolb(notes). But when Kolb was hurt in the opener, Vick took over and showed a newfound maturity as a passer. Added to his running skills, he's made the Eagles a contender at 8-4.

The Eagles, averaging 28.7 points per game, are the second-highest scoring team in the league, next to only the New England Patriots at 31.6.

"It's a great honour, a great position to be in right now, because I haven't made the Pro Bowl yet, but it's a credit to my coaches, a credit to my teammates, (backups) Mike Kafka(notes), Kevin Kolb, guys who just helped me get through this season," Vick said. "I can't do it without my team, I can't do it without my teammates, I can't do it without the offensive line, (wide receivers) DeSean (Jackson) and Jeremy (Maclin), can't do it without them. I'm just thankful to have these guys in my life, these coaches in my life."

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