Shabazz Napier Reportedly to Be Traded to Orlando Magic

The Miami Heat are reportedly set to deal Shabazz Napier after the 24-year-old's first season in the NBA.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported Sunday that Napier will head to the Orlando Magic for a protected second-round pick. 

On July 18, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported the Heat were most keen to trade Napier and fellow floor general Mario Chalmers. Jackson indicated Chalmers was the more desirable trade candidate because of his $4.3 million cap hit.

The report also included testimony from Miami's summer-league head coach, Dan Craig, who praised Napier's improvement:     

"

He's been great in terms of getting into the paint and getting paint touches. We had challenged him [about] getting in the paint more, playing with a higher motor. ... He looks night and day from last summer. His pace and quickness have improved. [And] he's improved his three-point shot.

"

Napier led Connecticut to a national championship in college but couldn't find a steady role as a rookie in Miami, averaging 19.8 minutes last season with 5.1 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per contest.

The Heat acquired an upgrade at Napier's position in Goran Dragic just before the league's February trade deadline. With Dragic in the fold as the surefire starter, Napier became an expendable piece ahead of the season. 

Provided Dwyane Wade can rediscover some of his magic and center Hassan Whiteside can build on his breakout performance from the latter half of last season, this Heat squad looks promising on paper.