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Orlando Magic Rumors: Orlando Magic discussed possible Evan Fournier-Reggie Jackson swap with Detroit Pistons

By Sam Skubala

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 1: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic puts a move on to try to pass Quincy Acy #13 of the Brooklyn Nets in an NBA basketball game on January 1, 2018 at Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Nets won 98-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 1: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic puts a move on to try to pass Quincy Acy #13 of the Brooklyn Nets in an NBA basketball game on January 1, 2018 at Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Nets won 98-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic are expected to be active this trade deadline and that activity is already buzzing. They reportedly talked a deal with the Detroit Pistons.

The Orlando Magic reportedly discussed a trade involving Evan Fournier with the Detroit Pistons before talks collapsed, it has been revealed. It signals the Magic’s willingness to part with the team’s second-leading scorers and one of its highest paid players. Although it is not clear exactly what the Magic would want in return.

As the trade season kicks up, more rumors about the Magic’s movement are surely going to start up again.

Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, discussions centered around the French swingman heading to Detroit, with Reggie Jackson and possibly Luke Kennard coming to Central Florida. The deal, it seemed, originated with the Pistons pursuing Fournier, suggesting there is a market for him despite his salary.

"Detroit pursued a deal for Fournier, but that would’ve been hard to execute without Reggie Jackson’s contract included — even if Detroit decided to include promising rookie Luke Kennard. Jackson will be sidelined for another month-plus with a severely sprained ankle.Detroit has remained one of the most aggressive teams on the early market, reflective of the Stan Van Gundy regime’s desire to win now."

Jackson’s contract would likely be a salary dump, with the Pistons having attempted to move the veteran point guard before. Jackson is owed $51.1 million in the next three years. He is averaging 14.6 points and 5.5 assists per game this year. A severe ankle sprain will sideline him likely until the All-Star Break.

Fournier has $68 million over four years left on his deal. He will make $17 million per year in each year of the contract before it expires in the summer of 2021. Assuming he picks up his player option in the final year. Jackson will make $16 million this year with steady increases to $18 million in 2020, the final year of that deal.

The Pistons drafted Kennard with the 12th pick in last year’s NBA draft and has done decently in limited minutes. But he was likely not enough to sway Orlando to move one of its top stars.

Fournier is averaging a career-high 17.9 points this season, the sixth consecutive season where he has increased his scoring average. He is also shooting 40.5 percent from deep, his highest percentage from beyond the arc since his rookie season.

In his piece, Wojnarowski noted Fournier is among several high-priced wings that teams are showing interest in. It suggests the Magic could be due to make a big deal with one of the more interesting young wings and shooters on the market.

Fournier’s combination of shooting and ball-handling likely makes him an attractive option for teams looking to take a step forward. He is currently ranked in the 97th percentile of spot-up shooting per NBA.com, and he has matured into a dependable, if not striking, offensive threat.

But there are potential stumbling blocks. First of all, Fournier’s $17 million salary the next three years means teams will have to exchange big salaries to make a deal work. Orlando is likely looking to cut some salary with a trade or regain financial flexibility. That could be tough as other teams certainly have the same goal. Three years might be too much to swallow right now.

Furthermore, there is no onus on the Magic to move him.

While the team is looking at potential deals, they have been insistent that they are not engaged in a fire sale. This comes despite calls from fans to trade some of the roster’s more experienced talent, including Evan Fournier, D.J. Augustin and Nikola Vucevic.

Next: Self-inflicted wounds haunt Orlando Magic

The trade season is still getting started, Wojnarowski reports. Action has been slow and there are still plenty of dominos to fall before the February 8 deadline.