Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) makes a move to overtake Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 1, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (Photo AP / John Raoux)
It is not expected to be a busy trading date for the Phoenix Suns.
Their key pieces have helped rise to second place in the Western Conference standoff as the NBA trade deadline approaches Thursday at noon. There are no obvious big deals that could or should be shifted for a high-profile player.
Also, if it is not broken, do not fix it.
However, the date could affect the Suns ’playoff outlook with teams making moves to push themselves up.
Below, we update the movements in the 24 hours prior to the deadline.
Make sure you build with it Arizona Sports Station 98.7 FM for our all-day trading date broadcast.
Bickley & Marotta Cam Payne will be joined by the Suns point guard at 10:15 am, as well as the Suns roundtable with Jon Bloom and Kellan Olson at 11am at 11:30 am, John Gambadoro from Burns & Gambo visit to get the latest updates before the 12pm deadline.
Trading date 2021 NBA
Evan Fournier’s magic ship to the Celtics
Evan Fournier magic guard (Photo AP / John Raoux)
According to Adrian Wojnarowski at ESPN, the Orlando Magic has sent a guard of Evan Fournier to the Celtics to bring another player and player to Boston along with their trio of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker.
On an expiring contract, Fournier averages 19.7 points and 3.7 assists. It gives the Celtics extra firepower and should be able to fire even if they work more off the ball.
Fournier, on a $ 17 million contract, was traded in a Boston exception, allowing Orlando to return without pay.
The trade is the second Thursday with the Magic, who are now moving on to find a trading partner for athletics, making power for Aaron Gordon.
Nikola Vucevic traded from Magic to Bulls
The Chicago Bulls seem to be going for it.
Just 1.5 games out of the last playoff spot and needing to find out what young bigs they are promising between Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr., they picked the first one – at least right now. Chicago put the struggling Carter forward Otto Porter Jr. and two first-round picks to the Orlando Magic center for All-Star Nikola Vucevic and onwards Al-Farouq Aminu, reciting Wojnarowski.
Vucevic has a wildly fertile year, averaging 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 40.6% from three-point territory.
That gives a talented offensive duo in front court, but they might not.
Chicago is also in the swatches to give land to New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball, according to Wojnarowski.
JaVale McGee strengthens Nuggets front court
JaVale McGee Cavaliers Center (Photo AP / Ron Schwane)
In a move that could upset the Suns, the Denver Nuggets, all Wojnarowski, sent a veteran edge defender by trading Isaiah Hartenstein and two second-round kicks to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who replaced center JaVale McGee.
McGee, of course, has plenty of playoff experience having played for the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers for a title run.
He gives Denver a real defender to contribute to All-Star center Nikola Jokic.
That seems to be preparing for a postseason where teams like the Suns, who will be releasing center Deandre Ayton, could stand in a unique position.
McGee gets an average of 8.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in just 15.2 minutes per game.
Pistons deal Delon Wright with Kings
At 9:33 pm MST Wednesday, signs began that this may be a quiet trading date with the Detroit Pistons agreeing to hand over the Delon Wright ship guard to the Sacramento Kings for Cory Joseph and two second-round kicks, all Wojnarowski.
It’s a weird move for Sacramento, which gets more protection by putting Wright alongside De’Aaron Fox and rookie combo guard Tyrese Haliburton.
The Kings could be active at the date with Harrison Barnes and Nemanja Bjelica getting interest from other teams.
Wright can play on or off the ball and averages 10.4 points, 5.0 assists and 4.6 replays per game this year.