The Celtics traded for Orlando guard Evan Fournier, who is averaging career highs of 19.7 points and 3.7 assists this season. John Raoux/Associated Press
Evan Fournier is being traded by the Orlando Magic to the Boston Celtics for Jeff Teague and a pair of second-round draft picks, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said Thursday.
The Celtics were able to take on Fournier’s salary by using part of the trade exception that they created last year in the move that sent Gordon Hayward to Charlotte, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was still pending NBA approval.
Daniel Theis, who can become an unrestricted free agent after this season, was traded Thursday to the Chicago Bulls in a three-team trade. In return, the Celtics got Mo Wagner from the Washington Wizards and Luke Kornet from the Bulls. Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press
Also, according to ESPN, the Celtics are parting ways with center Daniel Theis, who is heading to the Chicago Bulls in a three-team trade that also included the Washington Wizards. Boston also gave up Javonte Green and got back two big men – 6-foot-11 Mo Wagner from the Wizards and 7-2 Luke Kornet from the Bulls.
Theis, who was averaging 9.5 points and 5.2 rebounds, is making $5 million this season and is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. His departure likely will open more playing time for emerging center Robert Williams III.
Fournier was averaging career highs of 19.7 points and 3.7 assists this season for the Magic, who turned trade-deadline day into the start of their rebuild. Orlando struck a deal earlier Thursday to send All-Star forward Nikola Vucevic to the Bulls. Later, the Magic traded Aaron Gordon to the Denver Nuggets.
Fournier is in the final year of a five-year contract extension he signed in 2016 and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.
Fournier gives the Celtics added wing depth and another ball handler. The Celtics started Thursday eighth in the Eastern Conference with a 21-23 record, well below their expectations coming into the season.
On Wednesday night in Orlando, Fournier scored the last of his 21 points on a difficult driving layup over Phoenix center Deandre Ayton with 6.4 seconds left as the Magic beat the Suns, 112-111.
While he didn’t know at the time that it would be his final game with Orlando, Fournier spoke openly about his connection to Orlando and what playing for the Magic has meant to him.
“I’ve been here for seven years. I had a son here. I got married. It means more than a lot because it’s kind of hard to put words into it,” he said. “I got traded here when I was 21. Now I’m a totally different man. I’m a totally different player. I have a lot of love for the franchise and the people that work here, you guys included. So if it’s the end, it’s the end, but I obviously love the franchise and the city.”
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