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The NBA Trade Deadline is off to a big start as the Orlando Magic trade All-Star center Nikola Vucevic to the Chicago Bulls for a package of Otto Porter, Wendell Carter, Jr., and two first-round draft picks. Former Portland Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouq Aminu will head to the Bulls as part of the deal.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweeted the news:
Here's the deal: The Bulls land Nikola Vucevic and Al Farouq Aminu for Otto Porter, Wendell Carter Jr., and two first-round picks. Huge addition for Chicago, who remains in pursuit of Lonzo Ball. The Magic are moving toward a rebuild now with Aaron Gordon deal on deck.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 25, 2021
Porter has appeared in 25 games for the Bulls this year, starting 6. He’s averaging 9.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, shooting 44.1% from the floor and 40.0% from the arc, playing 21.6 minutes a night. Carter, Jr.—the 7th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft—has started 25 of his 32 games, playing 24.8 minutes per with averages of 10.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists.
Vucevic, a 2021 NBA All-Star, has started all 44 games for the Magic. He’s averaging 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists on 48.0% shooting from the field, 40.6% from the arc. The 30-year-old center plays 34.1 minutes per game.
Aminu has started 14 of 17 games, playing 21.6 minutes, averaging 5.5 points and 5.4 rebounds.
Per Wojnarowski, the Magic will also be moving guard Evan Fournier to the Boston Celtics for a pair of second-round picks. Forward Aaron Gordon is expected to be dealt today as well. The Trail Blazers face the Magic tomorrow night.