BLAZERS NET NAPIER FROM OVERHAULING ORLANDO
The Portland Trail Blazers acquired point guard Shabazz Napier from the Orlando Magic for cash.
What does it give the Portland Trail Blazers
Blazers GM Neil Olshey has done a nice job the past few seasons of finding underrated talent, and Napier probably fits into that category. Napier wasn't playing much at all for Orlando, but now he has a solid chance to become Portland's top backup at point guard. His contract is very affordable, so this may prove to be a steal.
What does it give the Orlando Magic
Few teams have shuffled more roster pieces this off-season than the Magic, and that continues here with Napier. With Orlando inking veteran D.J. Augustin to be the likely top backup point-man, Napier became expendable--so the team saves a little money here by moving him.
Fantasy impact
Napier's fantasy fortunes get a solid speculative boost with this move. Even though he's stuck behind big-minute superstar Damian Lillard on the Blazers depth chart, if Lillard is sidelined then Napier may now get a chance to start. There's little to no change in fantasy fortunes for the Magic, since Elfrid Payton seems still entrenched as the starter (and Augustin is the new backup, as mentioned).
