The Nikola Vucevic era in Orlando has come to an end. According to multiple media reports, the Magic have decided to move their All-Star center and franchise lynchpin to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for a package of players and picks. The news of the deal was first broke by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, who brought word that the Magic will package Vucevic and veteran swingman Al-Farouq Aminu in the deal.
Orlando is trading Nikola Vucevic Al-Farouq Aminu to Chicago, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 25, 2021
Then, Wojnarowski and Shams Charania of The Athletic began piecing the deal together, with the Magic receiving a haul back. According to the reports, a pair of first-round Draft picks will head to Orlando — including the Bulls’ selection in the 2021 Draft — along with young big man Wendell Carter Jr. and the expiring contract of Otto Porter Jr.
The Orlando Magic are trading Nikola Vucevic to Chicago for Wendell Carter Jr. and Otto Porter, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 25, 2021
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
The Bulls are sending the Magic 2021 and 2023 first-round picks in the deal, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 25, 2021
The deal positions Chicago, which sits 19-24 and is in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, for a push towards the playoffs, while Orlando gets itself in a spot to build towards the future with a promising young big man in Carter and a pair of potentially solid Draft picks, although it is unclear if there are any sort of protections that will exist on either of them. Since joining Orlando in 2012, Vucevic has been a two-time All-Star selection, and this season, he’s averaging a career-best mark in scoring at 24.5 per game.
