Rumors that the Washington Wizards were interested in trading Gilbert Arenas for disgruntled Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant made the rounds on the Internet, radio and television on Monday, but team president Ernie Grunfeld shot down the possible deal.

"I don't normally comment on rumors but there is no truth to this rumor," Grunfeld said when reached by phone Monday evening. "We've never had any conversations with the Lakers or with anyone else about Gilbert."

The rumors surfaced when a column in yesterday's Chicago Tribune, citing an unnamed general manager, labeled the Wizards as the "dark horse" among teams that might put together a trade for Bryant.

According to the column and chatter it created, the Wizards would have to part with a package that would include Arenas, who plans to opt out of contract next summer, to get Bryant.