Milwaukee Bucks Receive: G Evan Fournier, C Khem Birch

Orlando Magic Receive: C Brook Lopez, F D.J. Wilson, MIL 2021 1st Round Pick, MIL 2023 1st Round Pick

One of the most underrated wing players in the entire NBA is Evan Fournier. Now in his ninth season in the NBA, the 28-year-old French wing has consistently been the best player on the Magic next to Nikola Vucevic and has been one of the sole reasons they have been in the playoffs recently.

Over the course of his career, Fournier has averaged 14.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and has shot 45% from the floor and 37.5% from three-point range. However, the last five seasons, Fournier has eclipsed his career average for points per game and is averaging upwards of 18.5 points per game this season.

Fournier is a terrific three-point shooter and given Milwaukee’s perimeter-oriented attack, the veteran wing could join this organization and immediately become a go-to scorer for them. While they would have to give up Lopez and the last of their first-round picks to acquire him, getting Fournier and Birch could open up this Bucks offense. 

At this point in the season, given all of their injuries and lack of talent, the Magic have to realize they are not going to be a playoff team this year and as a result, should be willing to trade away players on expiring contracts in return for first-round picks. 

That is exactly what this trade gives the Magic, setting them up for plenty of success moving forward. Brook Lopez is putting together a solid year and could play alongside Nikola Vucevic in the front-court, giving the Magic two very reliable big men. 

The main point of this trade is to improve the Bucks offensively, but the Magic could make out really well in this trade as well. The best thing they can do is continue building for the future, which is what trading away Fournier and Birch allows them to do.

With that said, let’s take a closer look as to why this trade makes sense for both the Magic and the Bucks.