The Orlando Sentinel: Four Teamer Sends Morant To Chicago

[WillyJakkz]

Courtesy of The Brian Schmitz Report

The Orlando Magic are back in the news with a move that was unsurprising yet shocking at the same time.

Orlando sent scoring dynamo Ja Morant to the Chicago Bulls as the main piece in a move which involved 4 teams (the Lakers and the Kings being the other two).

The total trade on Orlando's part was the Magic sending PG Ja Morant, F OG Anunoby, GF Josh Okogie, and GF Lu Dort out while receiving PG Fred VanVleet, PF Jonathan Isaac, PG Derrick White, and the Chicago Bulls 2032 1st Rd Pick.

Newly "acquired" (or maybe not) PG Fred VanVleet has spoken to the press after news broke that he was part of a huge multi team deal and he was none too pleased about it..

Yeah I'm not too pleased going from one losing situation to another losing situation at this stage of my career. I'm looking to win. I've worked too hard to make it to this level and not be given an opportunity to play in the Playoffs again or make it to the Finals and not be able to show that I can be a factor to a team winning a title.

I was brought to LA in 2028 to turn this thing around and the GM up and left after making promises to get the pieces to make us a more competitive team and we've been in limbo for over an entire season until the new GM took the job. They saw I wasn't too happy and told me they'd move me to a better situation. They didn't lie but I just thought I'd be going to a much better team.

No offense to the Lakers or the Orlando Magic, they're just too far away and I don't have that type of time left in me to wait until those guys develop. They're young and have amazing upside but I just can't do it and hopefully they'll respect what I'm saying.

This is something we will continue to keep an eye on.

VanVleet is averaging 10.6ppg while shooting 60.3% from the field and 65.7% from 3pt range on 35 attempts.

Finally. I'm finally here. I've been dreaming of coming to play for a Florida team namely Orlando and it's finally happened. They've shown alot of interest in me in the past and I actually thought a deal was done over the summer and I was actually informed that I was heading here but it didn't happen. Now it has and I'm very happy to be here to be a guy that can help steer this team defensively and get us to where we want to be.

Well I'm very excited because I'll be playing with a guy like LaMelo and hopefully I don't take too many lobs away from Mark (laughs). But really I'm excited. We have a young team we have Anthony Edwards and then the young guys on the bench so hopefully I can help make a difference. Plus I'm Haitian so it feels good to get back in the warm weather!

Known for his defense, Jonathan Isaac is sure to make a formidable frontcourt presence beside the likes of rookies Mark Williams and Walker Kessler.

No I wasn't surprised. Orlando is a cool town but I understand the nature of the business and I'm just looking forward to the next chapter of my career. I'll be a mentor to the young guys and push them to get better and do my best to pass on my knowledge of the game and show them what I know about the game and the League.

Derrick White is slated to push for the backup PG position but depending on Orlando's direction it is not known whether he will be the main guy off the bench over Killian Hayes to relieve LaMelo Ball as it appears there is some friction between Orlando and Fred Van Vleet.

Again this is something to keep an eye on in the future as teams have already contacted Orlando expressing very high interest in obtaining VanVleet who will be trade restricted for the following 30 days.

Go Magic!

[rh0xxy]

Achiuwa to Orlando originally could have been a better fit with Williams imo but to each their own. That defensive duo is definitely a problem for teams with offense oriented bigs. White is a borderline starter i think, i just can't use him because i want to develop my younger PGs especially Lee.

[Flaming Homer]

I like Ja a good bit and but it seemed with the arrival of Edwards his clock was ticking.
All 3 vets are very solid additions, which should help Orlando to some more wins this year.

If the deal pays of long term, probably depends where the Bulls 1st will end.

I personally like Isaac over Achiuwa, preferences really are very different.
Achiuwa is a good bit younger though.

[WillyJakkz]

Achiuwa to Orlando originally could have been a better fit with Williams imo but to each their own. That defensive duo is definitely a problem for teams with offense oriented bigs. White is a borderline starter i think, i just can't use him because i want to develop my younger PGs especially Lee.

That's a fair assessment. Achiuwa didn't have much value but I'm sure the Kings have different assets to attach with him to increase his value of they choose to move him.

Despite youth I prefer Jonathan Isaac to him as I love his defense next to Williams and Kessler to counter both post scoring bigs and driving guards.

It sounds great but we'll see how it may work out. though.

Plus it's not like Jonathan Isaac is over the hill imo.