Adonal Traded to the Grizzlies

by Chris Navalta

One would think that being in the NBA for 12 years means having experienced just about everything. But for Adonal Foyle, he continues to get caught off-guard.

Adonal, who's been able to avoid being traded his entire career, will be switching teams in the middle of the season for the first time. He, along with teammate Mike Wilks and an unconditional first-round draft pick, was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-team deal that also involved the Houston Rockets. The Magic needed to make a move at the trade deadline to fill the void at point guard, where Jameer Nelson was lost for the season due to a shoulder injury.

As any NBA player would explain, nothing can prepare you for hearing the news that you've been dealt.

"I spent (Thursday) working out in the morning, and when I was done, I was doing an interview," Adonal said. "In the middle of the interview, my phone rang and the (caller ID) said it was (Magic General Manager Otis Smith). Right there, I knew something was up. I knew right away - I had been traded."

Adonal immediately had to mentally change gears; he had 48 hours to report to Memphis. But in the meantime, he now had to come up with a plan to move out of Orlando and reach out to his friends before he leaves.

"It's all surreal right now," Adonal said. "It's been a whirlwind and it's a weird feeling. But it's also part of the NBA experience. And I'm experiencing it for the first time."

Once he heard the news, Adonal immediately called his dad to tell him he would be leaving Orlando. He also reached out to his agent to see what the next steps would be. After playing 10 seasons at Golden State, Adonal built a new home in Orlando and immediately became a fan favorite. He set his footprint in the community and made great friends along the way.

"When you move to another area, there's always that time to get accommodated to the environment. And I will get accommodated to Memphis," Adonal said. "I'll move on, just like any other player who's been traded. "But it doesn't take to account all the great people I've met in the area and the impact you're making in the community. It's almost like leaving a family."

Alongside the surreal feeling, Adonal is also experiencing bittersweet feelings. He is excited to meet his new teammates and is ready contribute both on and off the court. At the same time, he will miss his old friends in Orlando and will support them in their run for an NBA title.

"Anytime you leave a team, it's a bittersweet feeling," Adonal said. "No. 1, you get so close to the guys in the locker room and the fans. On the other hand, that's just how it is in this business. You come, you become one and then you leave. That's the nature of the league. In a way, I like that. It gives me an opportunity to keep moving forward and adjust to whatever is placed in front of me."

Adonal emphasized how much he appreciated his fans for their support throughout the season.

"I just want to thank them all very much for making Orlando my home for almost two years. It was truly an amazing ride and I was privileged to be part of their circle. I will miss them and they will always have a special place in my heart. And for that, I have grateful. I may be with another team, but I will always be part of the Orlando Magic experience. It will forever be a part of who I am."

Because No. 31 is already worn by Darko Milicic, Adonal will wear No. 30 with the Grizzlies (his high school All-American number).