Report: Magic Trade Afflalo To Nuggets
(CBS) It appears the Bulls are out of the Arron Afflalo sweepstakes.
The Magic have traded shooting guard Afflalo to the Nuggets for Evan Fournier and the No. 56 pick in tonight's NBA Draft, Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported.
Afflalo had been the center of trade speculation for some time, and the Bulls were interested. That chance has now passed, and this move could have bigger repercussions as well. The Nuggets are one of the main suitors for Wolves power forward Kevin Love, and Minnesota is said to want players in return who can provide immediate help to be competitive next season. Afflalo is that type.
Chicago has expressed interest in Love as well, so this Denver trade may accelerate the Bulls' pursuit of and desire for free agent Carmelo Anthony.
The 28-year-old Afflalo averaged a career-high 18.2 points per game last season, shooting 46 percent from the field and 43 percent from the three-point line. If Orlando's return for Afflalo seems low, it's possibly because Afflalo can opt out in the summer of 2015 -- meaning he's may basically a one-year rental.
Afflalo will make $7.5 million next season and had a player option for the same figure in 2015-'16.
The move also gives the Magic more financial flexibility.