The feared reality has officially come to pass for the Magnolia Hotshots. After weeks of speculation, William Navarro’s overseas dream has become a reality, with the versatile 6-foot-6 forward officially signing with the Busan KCC Egis of the Korean Basketball League (KBL).
Navarro, a former Gilas Pilipinas standout, was selected second overall by NorthPort in the 2021 PBA Draft. He flourished during his four-year stint with the Batang Pier, establishing himself as one of the league's top young forwards with averages of 20.57 points, 10.57 rebounds, and 1.86 assists per game before being traded.
On May 27, Magnolia acquired Navarro in a blockbuster trade that sent veteran star Calvin Abueva, Jerrick Balanza, and a future second-round pick to NorthPort. The move was widely seen as a gamble to infuse the Hotshots with new talent, but it has now backfired spectacularly.
Navarro, under the system of former head coach Chito Victolero, struggled to find his footing in his brief time with Magnolia. Now, with his departure for the KBL, Magnolia has officially lost the Navarro trade with NorthPort. The team has given up a veteran leader and fan favorite in Abueva, along with other assets, for a player who will not log a single minute for them in the coming season.
This turn of events places the Magnolia front office in a difficult and unenviable position. The trade, which was meant to be a step forward, has become a major step back. Now, the big question looms for the Hotshots in this ongoing offseason: Will they now be forced to find another trade to correct their monumental error? With a new head coach in LA Tenorio and an urgent need to fill the void left by Navarro's potential absence, the Hotshots must now scramble to find a solution. Their pursuit of another trade will be a clear indicator of how the franchise plans to move forward from this significant setback.
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