THURSDAY, 10:26am: The Magic announced today in a press release that they’ve acquired cash considerations from the Blazers in exchange for Napier.
TUESDAY, 12:08pm: The Magic are finalizing a trade that will send point guard Shabazz Napier to the Trail Blazers in exchange for cash considerations, reports Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel. The deal can’t become official until Thursday, at the earliest.
Napier, who will turn 25 next week, was the 24th overall pick in the 2014 draft, and spent his rookie year with the Heat. He was a rotation piece for most of that season, averaging nearly 20 minutes per contest. However, Miami sent him to the Magic last summer for a heavily-protected second-round pick, and he saw his role reduced in Orlando, averaging just 10.9 minutes per game in 55 appearances.
[RELATED: Magic and Trail Blazers depth charts at RosterResource.com]
With Elfrid Payton penciled in as the Magic’ starting point guard, C.J. Watson still in the mix, and D.J. Augustin set to sign with the team as a free agent, there was no room left in the rotation for Napier heading into next season, making him expendable.
The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, have utilized primary shooting guard C.J. McCollum as a alternative to Damian Lillard at the point, but the team doesn’t really have another backup point guard on the roster with Brian Roberts eligible for free agency. Napier will add depth at the position.
Someone please give Napier an increased role. I loved him at UCONN. He needs to be used properly.
He needs to earn an increased role. The NBA is not college/UConn. As an undersized PG his shot is inconsistent and he hasn’t shown an ability to run a pro styled offense.
he hasnt been able to finish at the rim, which has probably been the biggest issue. I didnt get much of a chance to see him last year, but as a rookie with the Heat, that was the biggest problem. As you mentioned about his size, he owould get into the paint, and end up turning the ball over down there b/c he couldnt finish. He is generally fine as a defender, but he was kind of passive. He needs to be more aggressive, which is what the Heat were trying to get him to do while he was here. When he was in college, that wasnt an issue.
Why does he keep being “given” away?
Because he hasn’t done anything to show that he deserves more playing time.
He belongs on the Maine Red Claws.
Not good enough to start for the RedClaws!
Heard Boatright is tearing it up in Turkey!