NBA Trade News: Orlando Magic Acquire Shabazz Napier From Miami Heat

The Orlando Magic added young point guard Shabazz Napier after a reported trade with the Miami Heat, who will acquire a future second round pick. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported the deal on Twitter and stated that the future pick is protected and added that the Heat traded Napier to reduce their luxury tax hit.

The 24-year-old point guard, who is from Roxbury, Massachusetts, was drafted in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft, selected No. 24 overall by the Charlotte Hornets, Napier, who was the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 2014, had an impressive college stint with the University of Connecticut Huskies, helping the school to national titles in 2011 and 2014.

In the second title run, ex-Heat star LeBron James took to Twitter to vouch for Napier, who was eventually acquired by Miami in a draft day deal. However, Napier never played with James as the latter returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Napier had a respectable rookie NBA season, playing in 51 games and starting 10 for the Heat. He averaged 5.1 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 19.8 minutes per game. Napier’s best game as a pro came in February against the New York Knicks when he had 18 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in a blowout 111-87 win. Napier also played for the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the NBA Developmental League.

In Orlando, Napier is expected to battle for the back-up point guard spot against veteran C.J. Watson, who was acquired by the Magic earlier in the offseason.