Magic make two blockbuster trades

Really? so the Orlando Sentinel article was false? It was stated that he wants out of Orlando that year, Orlando signed him a short term contract after his massive contract expired then was released and joined the Heat right after, anyways rumors and more rumors. Nobody was actually there to witness what really happened.

If that was written in an article then yes, they got their facts wrong. The NBA records and reports all transactions; if he'd signed with the Magic and then be given his release to sign with the Heat, there'd be a record of it.

An article from 2007: HEAT Sign Anfernee Hardaway

The Miami HEAT announced today that they have signed free agent guard/forward Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Hardaway was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the third pick in the 1993 NBA Draft. He was acquired by the Orlando Magic in a draft day trade, along with three future draft picks, for Chris Webber. In his rookie year, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and was named NBA Rookie of the Month twice. In his six seasons with the Magic, he also earned All-NBA First Team honors during the 1994-95 and 1995-96 seasons, All-NBA Third Team honors in the 1996-97 season, and was selected as an NBA All-Star four times (1995-98). He began his NBA career playing along side HEAT Center Shaquille O’Neal. Together, they helped lead the Magic to the NBA Finals in 1995.

Hardaway was acquired by the Phoenix Suns on August 5, 1999 in a sign-and-trade deal with the Magic in exchange for forwards Pat Garrity and Danny Manning, and two future first-round draft picks. He was then traded to the New York Knicks on January 5, 2004 in a multi-player trade.

Hardaway was traded back to the Orlando Magic on February 22, 2006, but was waived on February 27, 2006.

In short, whoever wrote the article to which you're referring made a mistake and nobody bothered to fact check it, or described it in such a way as to cause a misunderstanding.