More NBA players are on the move after the NBA trade deadline, so let’s jump right in! If you haven’t read Part 1, check it out here.
It was rumored that the Boston Celtics were the most likely team to grab Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon, even being called locked in by different sports analysts. However, the Celtics have ended up with another Orlando Magic player in Evan Fournier. Gordon, an incredible dunker, is on his way to the Denver Nuggets, along with forward Gary Clark. In return, the Magic are receiving Gary Harris, RJ Hampton, and a 2025 first round-pick. Gary Harris is a phenomenal shooting guard who is acrobatic-like in the air, and RJ Hampton who is a young rising star with lots of potential.
The Magic have been one of the most active teams before the trade deadline. They have already dealt away Nikola Vucevic and Evan Fournier, and trading Gordon puts them 100% in rebuild mode. They have gained plenty of picks as well as young assets, so don’t be surprised if the Magic become a playoff contender sometime in the next couple of seasons.
In other news, the Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls have made a trade once again! These two teams already have some history, as a few seasons prior, the Wizards traded Otto Porter Jr to the Bulls, and received Bobby Portis and Jabari Parker. Michael Jordan also played for both teams. This time, the Wizards are trading Moe Wagner and Troy Brown Jr for Daniel Gafford and Chandler Hutchinson.
This trade isn’t exactly going to shake the NBA, but as a Wizards fan, I am mixed about this trade. Troy Brown Jr wasn’t getting the minutes he deserved behind Deni Avdija, Garrison Matthews, Davis Bertans, and Isaac Bonga, so it makes sense that he was traded. However, I am somewhat disappointed about Moe Wagner. With Thomas Bryant out for the season, Wagner was the #1 option in the paint for the Wizards, with his backups being Robin Lopez and Alex Len. Wagner could play in the post, and was really starting to develop his three point shot (it could still use some work though; he’s currently shooting about 32% from three). Daniel Gafford has been averaging 4.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game for the Bulls, and said that he took his time in the starting lineup for granted. The best games that he’s played have been against the Wizards, which may have suckered them into making him part of the trade package. Chandler Hutchinson is an overall good big man, but at the same time, he’s been averaging 1.9 points and 2.9 rebounds in 9.1 minutes per game this season, and has fallen off the Bulls lineup (more or less like Brown Jr on the Wizards). Overall I feel as though this trade is fair, but I think the Wizards got somewhat milked here. Or maybe that’s just because last year, in their debuts for the Wizards, Jabari Parker put up a near triple-double, Bobby Portis scored 20+ points, and then they both just fell off from there. If they continue to play poorly, then the Wizards are going to force 32 year old Robin Lopez to play a lion share of minutes, something I don’t know if he’s capable of doing that at this point in his career.
In other, other news, the Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic, and New York Knicks are completing a three team trade which highlights Terrance Ferguson and George Hill. In this trade, the 76ers receive George Hill and forward Ignas Brazdeikis, the Knicks receive Terrance Ferguson, and the Oklahoma City Thunder receive 50 first and second round picks through 2027.
Ok, maybe not quite that many.
But in reality, the Thunder are acquiring Austin Rivers, Tony Bradley, and two second round picks in 2025 from Philadelphia. This is a trade in which everyone benefits somewhat. The 76ers get a reserve point guard they desperately need that doesn’t require a $30 million contract along with Kyle Lowry. George Hill has been averaging 11.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists as a 34 year old for the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder gets two more draft picks which Sam Presti is hoarding (I think he’s up to 19 picks now) and a great, young, athletic point guard in Austin Rivers, who is averaging 7.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, and two assists on the season. If anything, the New York Knicks lost this trade, as while Terrance Ferguson came into the league with much hype, he has only played 13 games this season and lost much of his playing time. He’s averaging a pathetic 0.2 points per game on the season, so it’s good that he gets to move somewhere else where he may have an opportunity to score. On the other hand, the Knicks did give up a lot in this three team deal to only get back a player who scores less than half a point a game.
The last trade for this article, the Kings and Heat have agreed on a small trade. Nemanja Bjelica of the Sacramento Kings is moving to Miami in exchange for Moe Harkless and Chris Silva. Bjelica is averaging 7.2 points in under 20 minutes per game, and his greatest play on the Kings has probably been this.
There are enough trades that a Part 3 will be coming out shortly, so don’t forget to follow the NBA Blog by entering your email address into the bar so you don’t miss it, and as always, have an awesome day!
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Wow hard to keep up with all the moves. It will be interesting to see who the winners and losers’ will be. I would put the moves in three categorizes; moves made to hoard draft picks to build for the future, trades made to free-up cap space and a few were made to actually improve the team. I am surprised that the Lakers didn’t make a splash because of the injuries to LeBron and KD. Looking forward to your future Blogs.
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