NBA trade deadline: Nikola Vucevic, Victor Oladipo headed to new teams as Kyle Lowry stays put
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 be some 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 all-star 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 inside-outside 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 cap-clearing 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 second-unit production, and Fournier is a proven scorer who can create a shot. Even so, the deal amounted to a modest win at best given that Fournier is a subpar defender and unlikely to boost the underwhelming Celtics back into the East’s top four. Adding Fournier’s salary with a trade exception led Boston to ship out Theis, a quality glue guy, so that it could duck under the luxury tax line.
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.
Powell and Trent are both upcoming free agents who make more sense in their new homes. Powell, 27, will bring a bigger scoring punch to Portland’s playoff chase, while the 22-year-old Trent looks like a potential long-term fit in a retooling effort that has seen Toronto identify Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby as younger building blocks.
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. The Clippers will hope that the 35-year-old Rondo can bring pass-first playmaking and playoff savvy to a backcourt rotation that has lacked both.
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.
Beal, Lowry, Aldridge, Cleveland Cavaliers center Andre Drummond, Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball and Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins were among the prominent names who were not traded. Aldridge and Drummond both appear poised for buyouts.
See below for more details and analysis on Thursday’s trades
Boston Celtics sent Daniel Theis to Chicago Bulls to duck luxury tax
The Boston Celtics have agreed to send center Daniel Theis to the Chicago Bulls for center Moritz Wagner, according to ESPN.com. Wagner was acquired by Chicago from the Washington Wizards in a deal earlier Thursday.
Theis, 28, has averaged 9.5 points and 5.2 rebounds as Boston’s starting center this year. With Boston dealing with unbalanced lineups and needing to get under the luxury tax after acquiring Evan Fournier from the Orlando Magic just before the deadline, Theis became the odd man out. Robert Williams will now step into an enhanced role for Boston.
In Chicago, Theis will join a revamped frontcourt that saw all-star center Nikola Vucevic arrive from the Orlando Magic in a package that sent back Wendell Carter Jr. on Thursday.
Bradley Beal, Kyle Lowry, Lonzo Ball headline list of prominent players not traded
The NBA’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline has come and gone, and Thursday produced a flurry of deals. Much of the most important action centered on the Orlando Magic, who sent all-star center Nikola Vucevic to the Chicago Bulls, forward Aaron Gordon to the Denver Nuggets and guard Evan Fournier to the Boston Celtics.
However, a number of notable players were not traded at the deadline. Here’s a look at 10 names who are staying put, at least for now.
Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards: To no one’s great surprise, the Wizards held on to the NBA’s scoring leader and enjoyed a quiet deadline, although they did execute a minor trade for Bulls center Daniel Gafford.
Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors: After a week of intense rumors, the Raptors elected to hold onto their longtime point guards as the Philadelphia 76ers added guard George Hill and the Miami Heat acquired Victor Oladipo.
John Collins, Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks did move Rajon Rondo, but they kept Collins in advance of his 2021 free agency.
Lonzo Ball, New Orleans Pelicans: Expected to attract plenty of attention as a restricted free agent this summer, Ball will remain as a running mate for Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs: Aldridge is probably headed for the buyout market after no teams were able to construct a deal for his $24 million expiring contract.
Andre Drummond, Cleveland Cavaliers: Unable to move Drummond’s $28.7 million expiring contract, Cleveland will probably proceed to buyout negotiations.
Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings: The veteran forward drew plenty of interest thanks to his strong season, but Sacramento settled for smaller moves that sent out Cory Joseph and Nemanja Bjelica.
Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls: The Bulls had an active deadline by adding Nikola Vucevic and Troy Brown Jr., but they parted with Wendell Carter Jr. and decided to wait on a decision with Markkanen, an upcoming free agent, until the summer.
Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers: The Pacers stayed put at the deadline despite several contenders needing a defensive-minded center like Turner.
Kelly Oubre, Golden State Warriors: Acquired by Golden State with a trade exception before the season, Oubre will stick with the Warriors even though he has struggled with his outside shot and consistency.
New Orleans Pelicans agree to send JJ Redick to the Dallas Mavericks
The New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to trade guard JJ Redick and forward Nicolo Melli to the Dallas Mavericks for James Johnson, Wes Iwundu and a second-round pick, according to The Athletic.
Redick, 36, has averaged 8.7 points and 1.3 assists in 31 appearances this season, but he has been out of the rotation in recent weeks. New Orleans, which is in the process of retooling its roster around Zion Williamson, has turned to younger options in its backcourt.
Dallas battled covid-related absences earlier in the season, but it is seeking to make a push up the West’s standings. Redick, a career 41.5 percent three-point shooter, will plug in as a backup floor-spacing option around franchise star Luka Doncic.
Houston Rockets trade Victor Oladipo to Miami Heat
The Miami Heat have agreed to acquire guard Victor Oladipo from the Houston Rockets in exchange for guard Avery Bradley, forward Kelly Olynyk and a 2022 first-round pick swap, according to The Athletic and the Houston Chronicle.
Oladipo, 28, has been linked to the Heat in rumors since last season, and he will land in South Beach after he moved from the Indiana Pacers to the Rockets in January as part of the James Harden blockbuster.
The Heat, who were also linked to Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry in rumors, will add Oladipo to their backcourt as they seek to upgrade an offense that has ranked 25th this season. Oladipo has averaged 20.8 points, 5 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game this season, but his efficiency has dipped since he suffered multiple serious injuries in recent years and his trade value was muted by his upcoming free agency.
In separate deals, Miami added Trevor Ariza and Nemanja Bjelica as it gears up for another postseason run following its 2020 Finals appearance.
Bradley, a 30-year-old defensive stopper, has averaged 8.5 points and 1.4 assists in just 10 appearances for Miami this year. His contract includes a $5.9 million team option for next season.
Olynyk, 29, has averaged 10 points and 6.1 rebounds as a stretch big man in a starting role for the Heat this season. He is on a $12.1 million expiring contract this season.
Houston may have little to show for its unsuccessful dalliance with Oladipo other than financial flexibility, as it is unlikely that the Heat will select before the rebuilding Rockets in 2022.
Los Angeles Clippers agree to acquire Rajon Rondo from Atlanta Hawks for Lou Williams
Needing to shake up a stale and underperforming backcourt, the Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to acquire point guard Rajon Rondo from the Atlanta Hawks for guard Lou Williams and two second-round picks, according to The Athletic.
Rondo, 35, won a championship with the 2020 Los Angeles Lakers before signing a two-year, $15 million contract with the Hawks as a free agent. Limited by injuries this season, Rondo didn’t really find a home with Atlanta and has averaged just 3.9 points and 3.5 assists in 27 appearances.
Williams, 34, has seen his role cut sharply this season. The former Sixth Man of the Year has averaged 12.1 points and 3.4 assists per game and holds an $8 million expiring contract. An Atlanta native, Williams made headlines last summer when he violated the NBA’s health and safety protocols by visiting Magic City, a well-known gentleman’s club in his hometown, after leaving the Disney World bubble to attend a funeral.
The Clippers, who entered the deadline at a crossroads as they aim to deliver on championship expectations, will hope that Rondo can help as a complementary playmaker and organizing presence. Los Angeles’s offense has been overly reliant upon three-pointers and struggled to generate quality looks late in games, and Rondo is wired as a more natural distributor than Williams.
For Atlanta, the deal allows them to salvage minor draft assets for the failed Rondo signing and avoid paying his $7.5 million contract next season.
Wizards trade Moritz Wagner and Troy Brown to Chicago
The Washington Wizards dealt youth for youth ahead of the NBA trade deadline Thursday, sending center Moritz Wagner and guard Troy Brown Jr., the organization’s No. 15 pick in the 2018 draft, to Chicago, according to multiple people with knowledge of the deal.
The Wizards received 22 year-old big man Daniel Gafford and 24-year-old small forward Chandler Hutchison in return. The deal was first reported by ESPN.
Given that all-star guard Bradley Beal is expected to remain the franchise cornerstone at least through the season, Washington’s front office felt confident in its core roster approaching Thursday’s 3 p.m. deadline, even as the team stands 13th in the Eastern conference at 15-27. People in the league and within the organization said earlier this week the Wizards would probably not sign off on costly trades just to make a run at the play-in tournament this year.
Philadelphia 76ers agree to acquire George Hill from Oklahoma City Thunder
The Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to acquire Oklahoma City Thunder guard George Hill in a three-team trade with the New York Knicks, according to ESPN.com.
In the deal, the Thunder will acquire guard Austin Rivers (from New York), center Tony Bradley (from Philadelphia) and two future second-round picks. The Knicks will get Terrance Ferguson from the 76ers.
Hill, 34, has averaged 11.8 points and 3.1 assists this season, but the veteran point guard has appeared in just 14 games and hasn’t played since late-January due to a thumb injury. His arrival in Philadelphia could signal that the 76ers are no longer actively pursuing veteran guard Kyle Lowry, who has been the subject of trade rumors all week.
Blazers acquire Norman Powell from Raptors for Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood
The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired veteran guard Norman Powell from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood, according to ESPN.com and The Athletic.
Powell, 27, emerged as a rare bright spot for the Raptors during a challenging season, averaging a career-high 19.6 points, 3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 43.9 percent from beyond the arc. If Powell opts out of his $11.6 million player option for next season, he is expected to be one of the most coveted wings on this summer’s free agency market.
Trent, 22, enjoyed a strong showing at the Disney World bubble and has averaged a career-high 15 points per game this season. A quality outside shooter with streak scoring ability, the former second-round pick will be a free agent this summer.
Hood, 28, re-signed with the Blazers on a two-year, $20.9 million contract back in November, but he has struggled to reestablish himself as an impact player after sustaining an Achilles’ injury in 2019.
Portland is hoping that Powell can be a dependable complementary scorer down the stretch as it fights for playoff position in the West, and it will be glad to shed Hood’s $10.8 million contract for next season.
Toronto, meanwhile, is looking toward the future with Trent, who aligns better in age with other young Raptors centerpieces like Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby.
Miami Heat agree to acquire Nemanja Bjelica from Sacramento Kings
The Miami Heat have agreed to acquire veteran forward Nemanja Bjelica from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for forwards Moe Harkless and Chris Silva, according to ESPN.com.
Bjelica, 32, has averaged 7.2 points and 3.8 rebounds this season in a reserve role for Sacramento. A career 38.8 percent three-point shooter, Bjelica is a prototypical stretch forward who has shot a career-low 29.3 percent from beyond the arc this season.
After reaching the 2020 NBA Finals, Miami has designs on another deep playoff run, but its offense has ranked just 25th so far this season. The Heat was able to add Bjelica, who is on a $7.2 million expiring contract, for two players who have barely seen the court because the deal will provide financial savings to the Kings.
The Kings also agreed to trade guard Cory Joseph to the Detroit Pistons for guard Delon Wright on Wednesday as new General Manager Monte McNair begins to make his imprint on his roster. Bjelica was an odd man out in a frontcourt that includes Richaun Holmes, Marvin Bagley III and Harrison Barnes.
Harkless, 27, is a veteran swingman who has played sparingly for the Heat since signing as a free agent in November. He is on an expiring $3.6 million contract.
Silva, 24, is a seldom-used power forward who went undrafted out of South Carolina and has averaged 2.7 points and 2.3 rebounds per game for the Heat. His contract includes a $1.8 million team option for next season.
Denver Nuggets agree to acquire Aaron Gordon in trade with Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic have agreed to send forward Aaron Gordon to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for guard Gary Harris, guard R.J. Hampton and a protected 2025 first-round pick, according to ESPN.com.
Gordon, 25, has averaged 14.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season, and he had been the subject of trade rumors all week after he expressed his displeasure with Orlando’s losing season.
A versatile forward who is best cast as a complementary scorer, he should fit well in a Denver frontcourt built around franchise center Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets have needed a defensive-minded forward since losing Jerami Grant to the Pistons in free agency before the season, and Gordon, who is set to earn $18.1 million this season and $16.4 million next season, should plug that hole at a cheaper price.
The Magic fire sale should be nearing its completion, as Orlando has now agreed to trade three starters — Nikola Vucevic, Evan Fournier and Gordon — on Thursday.
Harris, 26, was once a prized defensive stopper but persistent injury issues have limited his value. The 2014 first-round pick is under contract through the 2021-22 season, earning $19.2 million this year and $20.5 million next year.
Hampton, 20, has averaged 2.6 points in spot minutes for Denver after being the 24th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. The Magic, who lost guard Markelle Fultz to a season-ending injury earlier this year, will offer him a larger role as they proceed through a youth movement.
Magic agree to send Evan Fournier to Celtics for picks
The Orlando Magic have agreed to send guard Evan Fournier to the Boston Celtics for two second-round picks, according to ESPN.com. The Celtics utilized a large trade exception to facilitate the trade.
The Celtics will hope that Fournier’s addition boosts their position in the East’s crowded playoff standings, but this isn’t the type of move that will land Boston back among the conference’s top-four seeds. Fournier is a capable scorer, but he is a minus defender and has a limited postseason track record.
Clippers’ championship plans reach a crossroads at trade deadline
As the buyers and sellers line up in advance of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, no aspiring contender needs a boost more than the Los Angeles Clippers.
It would be too harsh to label the Clippers as a disappointment. They entered Thursday’s action as the Western Conference’s third seed with a 29-16 record thanks to a top-five offense and the league’s most efficient three-point attack. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were easy all-star selections, and the Clippers have gotten quality contributions from offseason acquisitions Serge Ibaka and Nicolas Batum.
But familiar flaws and areas of slippage have kept the Clippers from reaching the top of the West standings, and they’ve reached the point where it would be foolish to expect different results from the same personnel. This is an organization with a mild identity crisis: Leonard and George teamed up with the hope of producing a team that was elite on both sides of the ball, yet the Clippers’ defense has fallen to merely average. The result has been a campaign marked by wild swings in effectiveness.
Chicago Bulls agree to acquire all-star center Nikola Vucevic from Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic have agreed to trade center Nikola Vucevic and forward Al-Farouq Aminu to the Chicago Bulls for center Wendell Carter Jr., forward Otto Porter and two first-round picks, according to ESPN.com. The Bulls will reportedly send the Magic their picks in 2021 and 2023.
This move provides an early answer to one of this deadline’s big questions: Will an all-star be traded? Vucevic, a two-time all-star who never managed to win a playoff series during his nine seasons in Orlando, will get a change of scenery to a Chicago team that is eying the playoffs. The 30-year-old center, who is under contract through 2022-23, is a talented scorer, averaging a career-high 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game this season. He will plug in as a centerpiece for the Bulls (19-24), who are seeking their first postseason trip since 2016-17.
Aminu, 30, is a well-traveled defensive specialist averaging 5.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game this season. He will be able to fill in Porter’s intended role as a defensive specialist and is under contract through 2021-22.
Orlando, which is mired in an injury-ravaged season with the second-worst record in the East, is clearly pursuing a youth movement after years of clinging to Vucevic as their franchise center despite losing seasons. Carter, 21, was a 2018 lottery pick who has battled injury issues throughout his first three seasons. If Carter can put his health issues behind him, he projects as a two-way center capable of starting as he progresses into his second contract.
The 27-year-old Porter never made much of a mark in Chicago due to injuries, and his inclusion in this trade is largely financial as his $28 million expiring contract was needed to match salaries.
Orlando will be glad that it pocketed two first-round picks after moving on from Vucevic. Given the Bulls’ place in the pecking order, the 2021 pick is probably going to land in the late-lottery, or just outside it, this year.
This deal marks the first major acquisition for new Bulls General Manager Arturas Karnisovas, who arrived in Chicago during the NBA’s 2020 hiatus.
Reports: JaVale McGee is heading to Denver
The Cleveland Cavaliers have worked out a deal that would send center JaVale McGee to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for big man Isaiah Hartenstein, a 2023 second-round pick (protected through No. 46) and an unprotected second-round pick in 2027, ESPN reported. McGee returns to the Nuggets after spending four seasons there from 2011-2015 and should provide both experience and stability behind all-star center Nikola Jokic.
The 33-year-old McGee is averaging eight points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks this season and brings a nice pedigree with him to Denver. He’s won three NBA titles in the past four years, including last year with the Lakers.
