ORLANDO, FL – FEBRUARY 19: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic controls the ball against Golden State Warriors during the first half at Amway Center on February 19, 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)
The Magic are reportedly sending Evan Fournier to the Celtics as a rebuild gets underway in Orlando.
The NBA trade deadline arrives Thursday afternoon and the Orlando Magic were busy before noon rolled around on the clock. Unfortunately for fans, being busy meant trading away top players.
First it was Nikola Vucevic to the Chicago Bulls. Then came another Woj bomb detailing another trade sending Evan Fournier to the Boston Celtics in exchange for two second-round draft picks.
Magic trade veteran Fournier to the Celtics
This is a great addition for a Celtics team clinging to the No. 8 spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Fournier is averaging 19.7 points per game this season in a starting role. That point total puts him third on the team behind only Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Fournier is a former first-round draft pick of the Denver Nuggets who flourished in a starting role with the Magic. He was part of a young core of talent that just couldn’t take that next step. Thus, the rebuild is underway and Aaron Gordon may be on the move next.
This is a great trade for the Celtics because Fournier shows up on an expiring deal. So if this doesn’t end up being a great fit the two sides can simply move on after the season.
The hope, of course, is that Fournier can provide a spark to a Celtics squad that enters Thursday two games under .500 at 21-23. A healthy Kemba Walker could also help provide some sort of boost and take all the pressure off Tatum and Brown.
The Magic are struggling once again in 2021 and decided to trade away veteran pieces and embrace a rebuild. The Celtics may be forced to consider a similar path if the team can’t has an early playoff exit or does the unthinkable and misses the postseason entirely.