Multiple report throughout Sunday point out that the Orlando Magic have acquired Miami Heat’s point guard Shabazz Napier. He averaged under 20 minutes a game and only averaged 5.1 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per match. His season ended early after surgery for a sports hernia. He was being projected by some as a late-lottery pick, though ultimately the Hornets picked him 24th overall and then traded him to Miami. The Magic are finalizing a trade to get Nappier, reports Adrian Wojnarowski at Yahoo Sports. He is due $4.3 million next season, and the Heat has other, cheaper options at the guard positions if the team can find a trade partner.
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Robbins says the Heat will also send the Magic cash as part of the Napier deal.
Napier, who led Connecticut to a national championship, was a favorite of former Heat star LeBron James.
All offseason, we’ve heard rumors about the Heat looking to trade Mario Chalmers in order to save some money.
Napier struggled with his play throughout the season, even being demoted to the D-League on a couple of occasions. James had lauded Napier as the best point guard in college basketball during the 2013-14 NCAA season.
While with Miami’s Summer League team, it appears that Napier caught Orlando’s eye.
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The Magic are going to give Napier a chance as a third point guard behind Elfrid Payton and C.J. Keith Appling was also given a training camp deal not too long ago, so Napier will have a long way to go if he wants to carve out a spot in the Magic’s rotation.
