MANILA – Orlando Magic shifted its focus to rebuilding its roster as it sent away its top guns in separate trades at the close of 2020-2021 National Basketball Association Season trade deadline on Thursday night (Friday in the Philippines).
The Magic first shipped starting center Nikola Vucevic and Al Farouq Aminu to the Chicago Bulls for Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter Jr., and two future first-round draft picks.
Orlando also granted Aaron Gordon’s wish to be traded away as it sent its forward to Denver Nuggets for Gary Harris, RJ Hampton, and a future first-round pick.
To complete Orlando’s massive overhaul, Magic swapped veteran guard Evan Fournier to Boston Celtics in exchange for Jeff Teague and two future second-round selections.
Aside from netting Vucevic and Aminu, the Bulls entered a three-team trade where they got Daniel Theis, Javonte Green, and Troy Brown. Celtics got Moe Wagner and Luke Kornet, and Washington Wizards netted Daniel Gafford and Chandler Hutchinson.
As for the Nuggets, they acquired the services of veteran center JaVale McGee from Cleveland Cavaliers for Isaiah Hartenstein and two future second-round pick.
Miami Heat, meanwhile, upgraded its roster by taking in Victor Oladipo and Nemanja Bjelica in separate deals with the Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings, respectively.
The Heat, in return, traded Avery Bradley, Kelly Olynyk, and a draft pick to the Rockets for Oladipo, while giving up Moe Harkless and Chris Siva to acquire Bjelica from the Kings.
Toronto Raptors traded Norman Powell to Portland Trail Blazers for Gary Trent and Rodney Hood, before sending Terrence Davis to the Kings and Matt Thomas to Utah Jazz – both for future second-round draft picks.
Philadelphia 76ers acquired George Hill from Oklahoma City Thunder in a three-team trade that sent Austin Rivers and Tony Bradley to the Thunder, Terrance Fergusson, and Vincent Poirier to New York Knicks. Iggy Brazdeikis also moved to the 76ers.
Dallas Mavericks got a boost to its guard position by obtaining JJ Redick and Nicolo Melli from the New Orleans Pelicans for James Johnson, Wes Iwundu, and a second-round pick.
Los Angeles Clippers swapped Lou Williams with Atlanta Hawks’ Rajon Rondo, while Golden State Warriors traded Brad Wanamaker to Charlotte Hornets for a draft pick and sent Marquese Chriss to San Antonio Spurs for Cady Lalanne./PN
