Right after sending Nikola Vucevic to the Chicago Bulls, the Orlando Magic are finalizing a deal with the Boston Celtics involving Evan Fournier and two second-round picks, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Magic will likely be trading Aaron Gordon next as they move into a rebuild, and the Celtics are reportedly still in the mix for that deal as well. Boston is desperately trying to upgrade its roster amid a disappointing season, and giving up just two second-round picks for Fournier is a good gamble.
Fournier is making $17.15 million in the final season of his deal. The 28-year-old is averaging a career-high 19.7 points while shooting 46.1% from the field and 38.8% on 3-pointers. The Celtics haven't really been able to replace Gordon Hayward's production after he departed for the Charlotte Hornets this past offseason, and Fournier will help do that and take pressure off the likes of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker.
Boston is just 21-23 on the season, which is still good for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference. Brad Stevens' squad has a lot of talent, but they've been plagued by COVID-19 and other issues.
Meanwhile, the Magic are 15-29 and clearly firing up that tank as they sell off their best players. Getting a first-round pick for Evan Fournier would have been more ideal, especially since he's having a career season, but Orlando did get a pair of first-round picks in the Vucevic deal. The Magic will play for the 2021 NBA Draft and then welcome back Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz from injury next season.
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