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Orlando Magic Trade Grades: Nikola Vucevic, Evan Fournier and Aaron Gordon deadline deals

By Max Mortenson

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ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 24: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic controls the ball against the Phoenix Suns at Amway Center on March 24, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 24: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic controls the ball against the Phoenix Suns at Amway Center on March 24, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /

Trade Grade: B-

After Nikola Vucevic was sent to Chicago, the Orlando Magic made quick work to finalize the deal to send Evan Fournier on his expiring $17-million deal to the Boston Celtics for two second-round picks.

This is the NBA’s equivalent of a fire sale. The assumption is that there was muted interest for Fournier on the market and Orlando’s management felt that a small return would be better than simply losing Fournier outright in free agency this summer.

According to Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe, the picks are Boston’s own 2027 second-rounder and the lesser of the Boston Celtics’ 2025 second-round pick or the 2025 second-round pick the team acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies.

Orlando did a good job in pushing these picks out as far in the future as possible, in hopes that either or both will fall closer to the beginning of the second round.

Jeff Teague also came to Orlando in the deal, but the Magic quickly released the veteran guard, affording him the opportunity to find a new home in the buyout market.

To make the trade work, Boston is sending Orlando a $17.15 million trade exception which can be used in a future trade. That may end up being the real prize of this deal if Orlando can acquire a player within this tool.

So perhaps judgment of this deal is a bit premature.

Fournier has been the Magic’s surest high-volume outside shooter this season. The 28-year-old shooting guard is shooting 38.8-percent on 7.2 3-point attempts per game.

While Orlando will certainly miss his floor spacing, Fournier provided little additional benefit to this Magic roster, particularly on the defensive end of the floor.