Blazers, Magic Finalize Shabazz Napier Trade

THURSDAY, 10:26am: The Magic announced today in a press release that they’ve acquired cash considerations from the Blazers in exchange for Napier.

TUESDAY, 12:08pm: The Magic are finalizing a trade that will send point guard Shabazz Napier to the Trail Blazers in exchange for cash considerations, reports Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel. The deal can’t become official until Thursday, at the earliest.

Napier, who will turn 25 next week, was the 24th overall pick in the 2014 draft, and spent his rookie year with the Heat. He was a rotation piece for most of that season, averaging nearly 20 minutes per contest. However, Miami sent him to the Magic last summer for a heavily-protected second-round pick, and he saw his role reduced in Orlando, averaging just 10.9 minutes per game in 55 appearances.

[RELATED: Magic and Trail Blazers depth charts at RosterResource.com]

With Elfrid Payton penciled in as the Magic’ starting point guard, C.J. Watson still in the mix, and D.J. Augustin set to sign with the team as a free agent, there was no room left in the rotation for Napier heading into next season, making him expendable.

The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, have utilized primary shooting guard C.J. McCollum as a alternative to Damian Lillard at the point, but the team doesn’t really have another backup point guard on the roster with Brian Roberts eligible for free agency. Napier will add depth at the position.

View Comments (8)