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Report: Magic could have gotten first-round pick in Arron Afflalo trade

The Magic’s trade of Arron Afflalo for Evan Fournier and the No. 56 pick was one of the most flummoxing deals in recent memory.

Couldn’t Orlando have gotten more for Afflalo, who had just been mentioned as a key piece in potential deals for the No. 1 pick or Kevin Love?

Maybe “more” is in the eye of the beholder

Zach Lowe of ESPN:

Magic could have gotten a 1st for Afflalo in various deals, but they liked Fournier, and he's making that deal look better right now.

— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) November 13, 2014

It’s unclear what the other parts of such trades would have been. The Magic were reportedly talking Afflalo with the Bulls, who had the Nos. 16 and 19 picks.

But as Lowe alluded, Fournier is thriving. He’s averaging 18.2 points on 51 percent shooting, both from the field and 3-point range.

Meanwhile, Afflalo’s production is way down in Denver. Plus, Fournier is seven years younger and on his rookie contract this season and next.

I thought the Magic could have gotten more for Afflalo than a meager return. Turns out, they did.