Orlando ships Arron Afflalo to Denver in exchange for Evan Fournier and pick No. 56.
Orlando Magic
Trade rumors have vigorously swirled over the past two days surrounding Arron Afflalo. While the previous rumor included his addition in an attempt to acquire the top overall draft choice, Orlando opted instead to flip him to Denver for French guard Evan Fournier and a late second-round pick.
Fournier is a good outside shooter who saw nearly 20 minutes per game last season for the Nuggets, where he averaged 8.4 points and 2.7 rebounds for the season. He closed the year on a hot streak, averaging nearly 14 points per game to go with 2.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists. With plenty of potential still, Orlando has acquired a good shooting guard prospect who is still just 21 years old.
This second round pick is No. 56, and will likely be a draft-and-stash player.
The biggest question mark surrounding this deal for Orlando is whether or not it settled. Could the Magic have received more for Afflalo? In a matter of days, he went from a key piece in an offer for the No. 1 pick to a player dealt for an unproven shooting guard and a late second-round pick.
Grade: C
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets acquired Afflalo in the deal, who was a Nugget from 2009-12. The former UCLA guard had a career year in Orlando last season, where he averaged 18.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, while shooting over 42 percent from beyond the 3-point line.
Afflalo is a significant upgrade over the departing Fournier and Randy Foye. Afflalo is a good perimeter defender and can help augment Ty Lawson’s scoring ability in the Denver backcourt. Acquiring his services without giving up a first-round pick (they pick at No. 11 in the draft) was exemplary.
The Nuggets now have two picks in the draft, after dealing No. 56 to Orlando.
Grade: A
Summary:
Denver acquires Arron Afflalo to significantly upgrade its shooting guard position while only giving up Fournier and a late draft choice.
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