Magic deal Vucevic; Lowry still a Raptor
The Los Angeles Lakers stood pat, the Toronto Raptors held on to Kyle Lowry and the Washington Wizards stayed true to their word by not seriously engaging in Bradley Beal conversations.
Yet the NBA trade deadline was not a complete dud, as more than a dozen deals were made Thursday. Much of the action centered on two Florida teams, as the Miami Heat loaded up on veterans, including guard Victor Oladipo, and the Orlando Magic hit the reset button by shipping out three starters, including all-star center Nikola Vucevic.
It remains to be seen whether any of Thursday’s moves will meaningfully alter the title landscape, but Miami president Pat Riley was aggressive at the deadline for the second year in a row. Oladipo, a 28-year-old guard who landed in Houston from the Indiana Pacers as part of the James Harden trade, will give Coach Erik Spoelstra a proven backcourt scorer and two-way contributor. Although Oladipo has struggled with his efficiency since suffering two major injuries in recent years, the two-time all-star came at a modest cost because he is heading to free agency this summer.
In separate deals, Riley acquired veteran wing Trevor Ariza from the Oklahoma City Thunder and stretch forward Nemanja Bjelica from the Sacramento Kings. The result of the moves, which cost starting big man Kelly Olynyk and four other players who have barely played this season, should mean added pop to the Heat’s 25th ranked offense.
Oladipo will have the chance to earn his next contract in potential playoff matchups with Kyrie Irving and James Harden of the Brooklyn Nets and Jrue Holiday of the Milwaukee Bucks. The Heat, in the East’s No. 5 seed, could still add veteran forward Lamarcus Aldridge if he is bought out by the San Antonio Spurs as expected.
The Magic, who have been ravaged by injuries to key players this season, dominated much of Thursday’s action with a sell-off of Vucevic, forward Aaron Gordon and guard Evan Fournier. After years of deliberate management, Orlando opted to pull the plug entirely and now has a decent
chance to finish with the league’s worst record.
Vucevic, a 30-year-old center who made two allstar trips during his nine years with the Magic, was sent to the Chicago Bulls for center Wendell Carter Jr., forward Otto Porter and two first-round picks. Gordon was dealt to the Denver Nuggets for guard Gary Harris, rookie R.J. Hampton and a protected first-round pick. And Fournier was sent to the Boston Celtics for guard Jeff Teague, who will be waived, and two second-round picks.
Orlando was wise to cash out on its veterans, as Fournier’s contract expires and both Vucevic and Gordon had plenty of chances to lead winning teams without much success. When the dust settles, the Magic could have two lottery picks this year to build with as Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz return from injuries next season. In the meantime, Carter and Hampton will have the opportunity for plenty of developmental minutes.
Vucevic was the best player to move Thursday, and he will form an insideoutside pairing with Zach Lavine, who earned his first all-star nod this season. A skilled and proven scorer, Vucevic will be complemented by center Daniel Theis, who arrived from the Boston Celtics in a capclearing trade. By taking on two veterans and parting with Carter, the Bulls, who enter Thursday’s action as the East’s 10th seed, are clearly signaling their desire to be a playoff team this year and in the future.
Denver’s acquisition of Gordon was the biggest move for any aspiring West contender, and the 6-foot-8 forward plugs into the hole created by Jerami Grant’s offseason departure for the Detroit Pistons. Gordon’s athleticism and size should
make him a nice fit alongside franchise center Nikola Jokic, and his defensive versatility is needed in the Nuggets’ frontcourt. In a separate deal, the Nuggets also acquired center Javale Mcgee from the Cleveland Cavaliers as a replacement for Mason Plumlee, who also left for the Pistons in free agency.
Fournier’s arrival in Boston will add some scoring and playmaking that has been lacking since Gordon Hayward’s departure for the Charlotte Hornets in free agency. Celtics Coach Brad Stevens recently lamented his lack of secondunit production, and Fournier is a proven scorer who can create a shot.
Toronto’s decision not to trade Lowry was the day’s biggest surprise, but it appears President Masai Ujiri’s asking price was ultimately too high. The Heat opted for Oladipo, while the Philadelphia 76ers acquired backup guard George Hill from the Oklahoma City Thunder. With no deal for Lowry, Ujiri instead shipped guard Norman Powell to the Portland Trail Blazers for Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood.
The Lakers’ inactivity was no surprise, even though recent injuries to Lebron James and Anthony Davis will probably compromise their position in the West standings. None of their top conference rivals made major moves, although the Clippers did acquire Rajon Rondo, who won a title with the Lakers last year, from the Atlanta Hawks for Lou Williams.
Elsewhere, the Washington Wizards acquired Daniel Gafford and Chandler Hutchison from the Bulls in exchange for Troy Brown Jr. and Morwitz Wagner, while the Dallas Mavericks added sharpshooter JJ Redick from the New Orleans Pelicans.