The Celtics aren’t the only team that has Magic center Nikola Vucevic high on its wish list. The Heat, Spurs, and Hornets have also expressed “significant” interest in the All-Star big man, sources tell Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer.
Miami, San Antonio, and Charlotte would all be intriguing landing spots for Vucevic. The Heat presumably envision him playing alongside Bam Adebayo up front; the Spurs have seen LaMarcus Aldridge‘s production decline this season and may view Vucevic as an eventual replacement for the veteran; and the Hornets could use an impact player at the five to complement primary play-makers LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward.
However, O’Connor cautions that front office executives around the NBA are skeptical that the Magic will move Vucevic at this month’s trade deadline, since he still has multiple years left on his contract. After earning $26MM this season, the 30-year-old will make $24MM in 2021/22 and $22MM in ’22/23.
Even if the Magic are open to considering a Vucevic trade, they’d seek a substantial return, according to O’Connor. Shams Charania of The Athletic conveyed a similar sentiment last week, writing that Orlando would want a “massive” package for its All-Star center.
While the Magic seem unlikely to deal Vucevic, there are other solid veterans on their roster whom they could be more open to moving. O’Connor reports that the club is receiving calls on guards Evan Fournier and Terrence Ross, with the Hornets among the clubs inquiring on Fournier, while the Nuggets have asked about Ross.
Aaron Gordon is viewed as a possible trade candidate too, and the Magic have some lower-priced veterans who could appeal to contenders as depth pieces. However, Orlando hasn’t shown much enthusiasm for making major trades in recent years, so it would be a bit of a surprise if the team goes into full-fledged fire-sale mode, despite its record (13-23) and place in the Eastern Conference standings (14th).
Mavs should go after Fournier, gordon and mo bamba. Trade james johnson, josh richardson, wcs and rookie josh green. Magiv arnt going anywhere and this deal essentially allows them to tank this season get a high drsft pick to help bulid around issac and vucevic. Trade also clears 20+m for them to spend in the offseason. Also gives them josh green. Someone they were interested in the drsft. Green can guard the 1 or 2 and issac can guard the 3 or 4.
This helps mavs. Mo can stretch the floor and rebound and block (also been in magic doghouse) Fournier is an upgrade on offense vs josh richardson. Gordon can start or come off the bench and helps gives the mavs some playmaking. Plus who wants to see a luka lob to Aaron gordon
I highly doubt your trade even keeps Orlando on the line to counter. 2 starters and a high value reserve for a rookie rotation player? Doesn’t seem to be worth it for Orlando. They can get better deals by trading each guy individually. The other 3 players going back to Orlando are worthless to a rebuilding squad.
Mavs trade offering will be outbid
Mavs have traded 2021 and 2023 Firsts to Knicks
Mavs have nothing the Magic want AND injuries are already keeping ORL in the high lottery range…don’t need to shed assets to get there.
How about you give us Doncic for Dwayne Bacon and Gary Clark…Dallas isn’t going anywhere with him and Porzingis.
According to ESPN
The most valuable trade assets on market are Wiseman and Wolves First
Make more sense to trade Magic players to Warriors for those 2
Vucevic and Young players for Wiggins and Wiseman
“According to ESPN”
With those three words, you lost all credibility. The only thing worse would be “according to Wikipedia” and even then only slightly worse.
Nuggets probably want to flip Barton for Ross with a sweetener. Not sure why Orlando would agree, but that’s probably what Denver wants.
I don’t see ORL swapping Ross for Barton (who can opt out) with Fournier also hitting free agency.
Only player that makes any sense for the Magic (from fit/$/age) is MPJr. But that’s a much different trade scenario.
Barton probably isn’t opting out, which makes it easier for Orlando to let Fournier leave. And Barton in a contract season could be a good deal for Orlando – they could flip him next February.
Trading Ross also means Orlando would potentially have a ton of cap space in a couple years.
But still, good players on decent contracts are hard to replace.
And there isn’t one player on Orlando’s roster Denver would take for MPJ. They love him.
Boston never makes a big trade at the deadline. All talk, no action.
Singe will get greedy and blow another opportunity. Guaranteed!
Singe
Ainge. Damn auto spell check
I think Singe works better because he usually burns Boston’s chance at a chip.
Singe should have trade MF Kyrie back then … C’s are way too young to win it all right now.
I don’t know if a border all star like Vuc (or Kat…) could help winning but they miss Marcus for sure and maybe Evan Fournier IS worth to take a shot to replace Hayward and wait for something
Yep, there are a lot of teams that could benefit from having Vucevic. One is the Magic. Until there’s an asset mentioned that the Magic might find more beneficial, it’s hard to believe it’s more than stories being floated by FO’s hoping to stir things up.
Magic would be wise to sell on Vuc, Ross, Fournier and Gordon – get some pieces you can add to Bamba, Isaac and Fultz and go from there.
Fultz may not live up to his potential, but those 4 vets have limited value to Orlando moving forward. They won’t be contenders while Vuc is there, it’s time to rebuild.
Funny how everybody seems to wanna get a superstar like Vucevic for their garbage, right?
This will only get serious when teams start putting their best players on the line for Vucevic!
On top of playin’ at an outrageously good level Vucevic, comes probably cheaper than any superstar in the league (except rookies of course) I mean dude will be only 24 & 22 next 2 seasons many worst players than him make a lot more than that!
Just like thinking the Warriors can get Dipo for Wanamaker and a 2nd round pick even though the salaries don’t even come close to matching.
I agree Orlando will expect big things in a Vucevic trade. But I don’t think the winning offer will include a quality young player. More likely, it will be draft picks.
The teams that have good young players usually have no interest in an established vet at the tail end of his career. They usually have late first round picks they don’t need…
Vucevic is not going anywhere. Why would Magic trade him now. They’ll finally have a nice team next yr. They should move Bamba and Gordon. Just get ready for draft.
I’d like to see Knicks look at Fournier.
“Other Magic Vets Drawing Trade Interest”
INCLUDE:
Harry Houdini
David Copperfield
David Blaine
Lance Burton
Harry Blackstone
Doug Henning
Mark Wilson
All are expected to soon DISAPPEAR !!!
No Ricky Jay?
Aaron Gordon is far more likely to be traded than Eric Gordon.
Vucevic would be such a perfect fit for the Heat these last 2-3 years, but I dont think that even happens in my dreams. Vucevic and Gary Clark for Herro, Olynyk, Meyers Leonard and the 2025 pick isnt good enough for Orlando, in my opinion. Heat would need at least another asset