Miami acquires Victor Oladipo from Rockets: reports
Magic trade Aaron Gordon to Nuggets, Vucevic running with Bulls
On a trade deadline day where moves were getting made right up until the last possible moment, the Miami Heat acquired Victor Oladipo according to multiple reports.
Miami, who was one of the biggest pursuers for Toronto's Kyle Lowry, and may still target him as a free agent later this year, wound up adding Oladipo from the Houston Rockets on Thursday.
It didn't cost Miami much: Kelly Olynyk was on an expiring deal, and Avery Bradley has barely played for the Heat this season because of COVID-19 and then a calf injury. The deal also included a swap of 2022 picks, a person with knowledge of the matter told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal needed league approval.
Oladipo has wanted to be in Miami for some time, and the Rockets made that happen.
Nuggets acquire Aaron Gordon
The Denver Nuggets have made another aggressive move at the trade deadline by acquiring Aaron Gordon from the Orlando Magic, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said Thursday.
In exchange, the Magic receive veteran shooting guard Gary Harris, rookie R.J. Hampton and a first-round draft pick, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was still pending NBA approval. Denver also is receiving forward Gary Clark as part of the trade package.
The 25-year-old Gordon averaged 14.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Magic this season. He was the fourth overall pick by Orlando in the 2014 draft.
Clark appeared in 35 games for the Magic this season, with 11 starts. He averaged 3.4 points and 3.2 rebounds over 18.2 minutes per game.
Harris has long been a favourite of Denver's coaching staff due to his defence. He's been plagued by injuries since being picked 19th overall in the 2014 draft. Playing time has been sporadic for Hampton, who is averaging 9.3 minutes per game.
The deal was another splashy move by the Nuggets as they chase after their first NBA title.
Earlier in the day, they acquired backup centre JaVale McGee from the Cleveland Cavaliers for Isaiah Hartenstein and two second-round picks. McGee will spell All-Star big man Nikola Jokic, who is part of the MVP conversation because he is nearly averaging a triple-double.
The Nuggets made it to the Western Conference finals last season before losing to the champion Los Angeles Lakers. The team currently is 26-18 and in fifth place in the West standings.
Vucevic being traded by Magic to Bulls: sources
All-Star centre Nikola Vucevic is being traded from the Orlando Magic to the Chicago Bulls, a person with knowledge of the deal said Thursday.
Vucevic and Al-Farouq Aminu are going to the Bulls in exchange for Otto Porter Jr., Wendell Carter Jr. and two future first-round selections, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was still pending NBA approval.
The deal would appear to be the start of a rebuild for the Magic, with Vucevic unquestionably the team's best player for the past several seasons. The two-time All-Star is averaging a career-best 24.5 points this season and 11.8 rebounds.
He also has two full seasons left after this one on his contract, a four-year, $100 million deal signed in 2019. Vucevic is in his 10th NBA season, the last nine of which have been with the Magic.
