Orlando Magic is swapping All-Star Nikola Vucevic and Al-Farouq Aminu for the Chicago Bulls for Otto Porter Jr., Wendell Carter Jr. and two future choices in the first round, by Adrian Wojnarowski from ESPN. After weeks of speculation, Orlando closes a deal by sending his best player to Chicago in exchange for a big young man in Carter, and future compensation for recruiting.
This is an exchange that should be a total shock, considering that of all Orlando players being discussed as candidates for the exchange in recent weeks, such as Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier, Vucevic was not considered to be moved. But moving the best player in the franchise could be a sign of what’s to come for the rest of the day to Orlando, as well as the future of Magic.
With Vucevic now on a different team, it becomes Gordon is increasingly likely to be traded before today’s deadline too, by Wojnarowski. It could become a food frenzy in the Orlando squad, which also has guys like Terrance Ross and Fournier, who can make an impact on other opposing teams.
For Chicago, this is a flashy move that certainly moves the needle towards the postseason this year. The Bulls may not have finished yet today, as they are supposed to still in the mix to exchange for Lonzo Ball. If Chicago is able to do that today, they will certainly be the first favorites as one of the winners of the negotiation deadline.
Here is a look at the commercial notes for this amazing transaction.
Chicago receives:
Orlando receives:
- Two future choices in the first round
Commercial classification of bulls: A
It cannot be overstated how much offensive firepower Vucevic brings to the Bulls. He is one of only four players this season, averaging 24 points and 10 boards per game – the other three are all MVP candidates (Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid). The pick-and-pop game between him and Zach LaVine is going to be a dream come true for the Bulls, and they probably hope to swing a few minutes together so that when LaVine goes to the bank his attack is not stalled as he is likely to do.
Chicago is under pressure to win now. LaVine will enter the last year of his contract next season and will certainly attract the attention of several teams in the league. Adding another All-Star to this list gives LaVine some reason to stay, especially if this team makes it to the playoffs this year. Giving up Carter, who has a long history of injuries, Porter and two choices in the first round to keep the star player on the team happy is an incredibly small price to pay on a journey towards the postseason.
Commercial magic class: B-
In fact, I am surprised that Magic has not managed to get a better deal with the Bulls or any other team in the league for an All-Star twice who is getting numbers in his career. That doesn’t hurt Carter, but Vucevic has been criminally underestimated in recent seasons, and although he is 30 now, he could have made a considerable impact on a rival team like Boston or Portland. Getting two choices in the first round is a bonus, and perhaps a change in the scenario – and the climate – will have a positive impact on Carter’s career going forward. He will have tons of opportunities in Orlando on a team that made it clear that he is going into reconstruction mode, and he showed glimpses of being an impactful player on both ends of the court.
We will have to wait a season or two before we have an accurate reading on this trade for Orlando, because if Carter becomes a dominant striker, then it will have been a low buying moment for them. If not, at least they have the compensation project to compensate.