Multiple sources claim that the Miami Heat has decided to trade Shabazz Napier to the Orlando Magic. Trading Napier will free up roughly .3 million this year for the Heat, and $4.9 million when taking the luxury tax into consideration. LeBron famously called him the best point guard in the draft, and across the workouts and combines leading to the draft, Napier continued to impress. The Magic, who signed C.J.
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As a rookie, Napier averaged 5.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 51 games.
Napier hasn’t really shown any exceptional promise in one area during his rookie season, shooting way below. Still mostly unproven after season-ending surgery for sports hernia, Napier now moves a few hours up Florida’s Turnpike to play for a team that mostly rebuilds through the draft.
The Heat still need to make a few more roster decisions as the calendar inches closer to the regular season.
Cleveland made some moves on Sunday (Monday Manila time) and unloaded Brendan Haywood, Mike Miller, and two future first-round picks to Portland for cash considerations, according to reports. He now joins a backcourt in Orlando with former 2nd overall pick Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton.
While Napier earned praise from assistant coach Dan Craig, who guided the Heat’s summer program, he simultaneously was being shopped around the league.
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Should this be the case, Appling could return to the National Basteball Association D-League’s Erie Bayhawks, whom he spent the 2014-15 season with, per Robbins.
