DENVER — The Nuggets will have a familiar face back in blue next season after executing a trade with the Orlando Magic in which the teams swapped shooting guards and one draft pick hours before the start of the NBA draft on Thursday.
The Nuggets received Arron Afflalo, who last played for the team during the 2011-2012 season, in exchange for one of their two second round draft picks, the 56th overall selection, and 21-year-old guard Evan Fournier.
Though the 28-year-old Afflalo was not much more than an average player the last time he played for the Nuggets, he had a career year for the Magic last season, averaging 18.2 points per game and 3.6 assists — both career highs. However, Afflalo was also playing for a Magic team that had the third-worst record in the NBA at 23-59.
Though Fournier showed some promise in his second year with the Nuggets last season, averaging 8.4 points he game, he too was not much more than a bench player during his time in Denver.
The Nuggets still own the 11th overall pick in Thursday’s draft, though there have been rumors that the team could trade that pick, as well — possibly to the Chicago Bulls for that team’s No. 16 and 19 selections.
The NBA Draft begins at 5 p.m. MST Thursday, and will be broadcast live on ESPN.