Orlando Magic trade Nikola Vucevic to Chicago Bulls, sources say

The Orlando Magic are trading All-Star center Nikola Vucevic and Al-Farouq Aminu to the Chicago Bulls, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Thursday.

The Bulls are sending Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter and first-round picks in 2021 and 2023 to the Magic, sources told ESPN.

Vucevic, who is averaging 24.5 points and 11.8 rebounds this season, is a huge addition for the Bulls, who remain in pursuit of Lonzo Ball. The Magic are moving toward a rebuild now with an Aaron Gordon deal on deck.

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Chicago’s leadership — Arturas Karnisovas, Marc Eversley and Billy Donovan — wanted to bring on a productive, serious-minded veteran player to be a cornerstone for the Bulls. They get one with Vucevic, who’s been a pillar with Orlando.

Vucevic, who entered the NBA with the 76ers as the 16th overall pick in the 2011 draft, was traded to the Magic after his rookie season. In 10 seasons, the two-time All-Star selection (2019 and 2021) has averaged 16.7 points and 10.3 rebounds.

Aminu is averaging 5.5 points and 5.4 rebounds in his second season with the Magic. He has also played for the Clippers, Pelicans, Mavericks and Trail Blazers during his 11 NBA seasons.

The 21-year-old Carter, the seventh overall pick out of Duke in 2018, is averaging 10.9 points and 7.8 rebounds for the Bulls this season.

Porter will be joining his third NBA team, having played for the Wizards and Bulls since entering the league in 2013 as the third overall pick. The 27-year-old forward is averaging 9.9 points and 5.5 rebounds this season for Chicago.