Boston Celtics: 2 Orlando Magic trades after Fultz injury

Why the Boston Celtics do it

Evan Fournier was a trade candidate this offseason for the Golden State Warriors, who owned a $17 million trade exception that they ended up acquiring Kelly Oubre with. Fournier has seen his shot attempts go drastically down this season after rumors he can be moved into a trade exception surfaced.

Am I seeing tea leaves that aren’t there?

Fournier is in the midst of a contract year, and his 3-point efficiency has fallen five percentage points off of the 40 percent clip he was averaging the past two seasons. If nobody else, his agent is not likely a fan of Fournier’s decline in 2020-21 early on.

Should that cause the Magic to make a deal, no team is better equipped to take on his salary than the Boston Celtics. Owner’s of a $28.5 million trade exception, the Cs could acquire Fournier without giving up a single player.

Javonte Green would be the most likely roster cut in this situation, given the lack of outbound players in the deal.

Why the Orlando Magic do it

If Fournier isn’t going to pick up more minutes (his 25 MPG are his lowest since his second season) elsewhere, why not get multiple draft picks for the French sharpshooter while you can?

The Magic may not have a role for Fournier in the future, and they may not be able to get a first-round pick for him either with his declining value. This deal allows them to get off his contract and prepare for a potential rebuild if they end up having a firesale.