Category: Orlando Magic Blog

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Magic sign Joe Ingles

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent forward Joe Ingles, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Ingles’ Magic contract is reportedly a two-year, $22 million deal.

“We would like to welcome Joe (Ingles) to the Magic family,” said Weltman. “Joe is a smart, tough player who truly impacts winning in every way. His shooting, playmaking and experience will be a welcome addition to our team.”

Ingles (6’9”, 235, 10/2/87) played in 46 games last season (2022-23) with Milwaukee, averaging 6.9 ppg., 3.3 apg. and 2.8 rpg. in 22.7 minpg., while shooting .409 (83-203) from three-point range and .857 (18-21) from the free throw line. He was tied for 24th in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage. Ingles scored in double figures 10 times, including a season-high 17 points on Jan. 9 @ New York. He also appeared in five playoff games, averaging 6.8 ppg., 2.0 apg. and 1.2 rpg. in 17.8 minpg., while shooting .500 (10-20) from three-point range.

Not drafted by an NBA franchise, Ingles has played in 636 career NBA regular season games (313 starts) with Utah and Milwaukee, averaging 8.5 ppg., 3.7 apg. and 3.2 rpg. in 25.5 minpg., while shooting .408 (1,154-2,825) from three-point range. He has also played in 50 career playoff games (40 starts), averaging 9.5 ppg., 3.6 apg., 3.5 rpg. and 1.06 stlpg. in 29.9 minpg., while shooting .400 (106-265) from three-point range. For three straight seasons (2016-19), Ingles appeared in all 82 games. He stands as Utah’s all-time franchise leader in three-point field goals made with 1,071.

Ingles was a member of the Australian Men’s National Team, including participating in four Olympic Games (2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020). He has appeared in 55 career national team games, averaging 10.3 ppg., 3.8 rpg. and 3.5 apg.

Ingles will wear #7 for the Orlando Magic. Two-way player Kevon Harris will switch to #8.

Orlando Magic promote Anthony Parker to general manager and Pete D’Alessandro to executive vice president

The Orlando Magic have restructured their basketball operations, promoting Anthony Parker to general manager and Pete D’Alessandro to executive vice president, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deals are not disclosed.

In addition, John Hammond, who has served 32 seasons in the NBA, will transition to the role of senior advisor to the president of basketball operations.

“We are excited for John’s well-deserved next chapter,” said Weltman. “He has, and will continue to be, an invaluable resource. His experience has helped set the table for the Magic’s future and we look forward to continuing to lean on him in regard to everything from player evaluation to player development. He helped build a great team in Milwaukee and won a championship in Detroit. He has, and will continue to be, a great friend, mentor and confidant to the Magic family.

“We are equally excited for Anthony and Pete in their well-deserved promotions. Anthony brings a unique perspective to our group as a former player and it has been great to watch his progression from player to scout to G League GM to the Magic’s assistant general manager. Anthony is the ultimate team player and we look forward to his continued leadership, experience and energy.

“Pete has been instrumental in multiple areas, ranging from salary cap expertise to coordination with the league office. He is an outstanding leader and his creativity, experience and knowledge are instrumental to what we’re doing.”

Parker has spent the last two seasons (2021-23) as assistant general manager with the Magic. He rejoined Orlando after spending four seasons (2017-21) as general manager of the Lakeland Magic (now Osceola Magic) of the NBA G League. Under his leadership, Lakeland recorded 94 regular season victories since beginning play, tied for the most in the NBA G League during that span. They capped off the 2020-21 campaign by winning the NBA G League championship.

Prior to joining Lakeland, Parker spent five seasons (2012-17) as a scout with the Orlando Magic.

Originally selected in the first round (21st overall) of the 1997 NBA Draft by New Jersey, Parker played in 494 career NBA regular season games (423 starts) during nine seasons (1997-2000, 2006-12) with Philadelphia, Orlando, Toronto and Cleveland, averaging 9.1 ppg., 3.2 rpg. and 2.3 apg. in 27.8 minpg., while shooting .404 (596-1,474) from three-point range. He also appeared and started in 22 career NBA playoff contests, averaging 10.9 ppg., 4.0 rpg., 1.4 apg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 34.9 minpg., while shooting .407 (33-81) from three-point range.

Parker also spent six seasons (2000-06) playing professionally in Europe – five seasons in Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv and one in Italy with Lottomatica Roma. While with Maccabi, he helped them capture five Israeli Super League national championships, five Israeli National Cups and three European titles (two EuroLeague championships and one FIBA SuproLeague championship). Parker was named EuroLeague MVP in both 2003-04 and 2004-05.

Parker played at Bradley University for four seasons from 1993-97. He completed his collegiate career as one of only two players in school history (joining Hersey Hawkins) to finish in the school’s top 10 all-time lists in scoring (1,683 points, eighth), assists (355, ninth), steals (159, seventh) and blocked shots (78, fifth). Parker was named Most Valuable Player of the Missouri Valley Conference following his junior season (1995-96) and was honored as one of 15 players named to Bradley’s All-Century basketball team in 2003.

Parker also excelled academically while at Bradley. As a chemistry major, Parker was a two-time recipient of the Major Robert H. Lawrence Jr. Scholarship, given annually to an African-American student who does outstanding work in the field of chemistry. He switched his major during his senior year to liberal arts and science.

Magic waive Bol Bol

The Orlando Magic yesterday waived forward-center Bol Bol, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced.

Bol (7’2”, 220, 11/16/99) played in 70 games (33 starts) last season (2022-23) with Orlando, averaging 9.1 ppg., 5.8 rpg., 1.0 apg. and 1.21 blkpg. in 21.5 minpg., while shooting .546 (261-478) from the floor.

Originally selected in the second round (44th overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft by Miami, Bol has played in 123 career NBA regular season games (35 starts) with Denver and Orlando, averaging 6.3 ppg. and 3.8 rpg. in 14.9 minpg., while shooting .533 (315-591) from the field.

Magic exercise option on Goga Bitadze for 2023-24 season

The Orlando Magic have exercised their team option on center Goga Bitadze for the 2023-24 season, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

In addition, Orlando has declined its team options on Michael Carter-Williams and Admiral Schofield.

Bitadze (6’11”, 230, 7/20/99) played in 38 combined games (one start) last season (2022-23) with both Indiana and Orlando, averaging 4.4 ppg., 3.6 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 12.0 minpg., while shooting .552 (69-125) from the floor. He appeared in 21 games with the Pacers, averaging 3.3 ppg. and 2.3 rpg. in 9.6 minpg. Bitadze was waived by Indiana on Feb. 9, then signed as a free agent by Orlando on Feb. 13. He played in 17 games (one start) with the Magic, averaging 5.8 ppg., 5.2 rpg. and 1.2 apg. in 15.0 minpg. Bitadze scored in double figures six times (five times with Orlando), including a season-high 14 points on Oct. 22 @ Detroit and had 10+ rebounds twice, including a career-high 15 rebounds on Oct. 22 @ Detroit and on Apr. 7 @ Brooklyn.

Originally selected in the first round (18th overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft by Indiana, Bitadze has played in 187 career NBA regular season games (22 starts) with Indiana and Orlando, averaging 4.9 ppg. and 3.0 rpg. in 11.9 minpg.

A native of Georgia, Bitadze has been playing against professional competition since he was 16 years old. Prior to being drafted by Indiana in 2019, he spent his international career playing in Georgia, Serbia and Montenegro. Bitadze has been a member of the Georgian National Team.

Bitadze wears #35 with the Orlando Magic.

In NBA G League, Osceola Magic name Dylan Murphy head coach

The Osceola Magic, NBA G League affiliate of the Orlando Magic, have named Dylan Murphy head coach, Orlando Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Murphy will also serve as head coach of the Orlando Magic’s NBA Summer League team in Las Vegas.

“Dylan (Murphy) has done a tremendous job in regard to player development in his role as an assistant coach with the Magic,” said Weltman. “He also brings past G League experience and we look forward to his continued leadership and seamless connectivity between the Osceola and Orlando Magic.”

Murphy has spent the last five seasons with the Orlando Magic, including three seasons as an assistant coach (2020-23). From 2018-20, he served as basketball operations analyst, providing analytics support to the coaching staff.

Murphy joined Orlando after serving as a graduate assistant with the men’s basketball team at Ball State University in 2018. Before his time with Ball State, he spent one season (2016-17) as an NBA G League scout for the Atlanta Hawks. In that role, he was responsible for identifying potential call-up candidates for the Hawks NBA roster.

Prior to Atlanta, Murphy spent three seasons (2013-16) as assistant coach of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA G League. In 2013-14, the Mad Ants won the NBA G League championship, posting a league-best record of 34-16 during the regular season and going a perfect 6-0 during their playoff run. In the following season (2014-15), the Mad Ants earned a second-straight trip to the G League Finals.

Murphy earned a bachelor’s degree in classics from Columbia University in 2012.

Orlando Magic select Anthony Black 6th overall in 2023 NBA Draft

The Orlando Magic have selected guard Anthony Black in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2023 NBA Draft.

Black (6’7”, 200, 1/20/04) played and started in all 36 games last season as a freshman at the University of Arkansas, averaging 12.8 ppg., 5.1 rpg., 3.9 apg. and 2.06 stlpg. in 34.8 minpg. He was named to the 2022-23 All-SEC Second Team (coaches), as well as the 2022-23 All-SEC Freshman Team. Black led the Razorbacks and SEC in minutes played, while setting Arkansas freshman records in games played, games started, minutes played (1,253), steals (74) and free throw attempts (190). He was the only player in the SEC to rank in the top 25 in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and blocked shots.

Black graduated from Duncanville High School in Duncanville, TX. As a senior (2021-22), he was named a McDonald’s All-American and played in the Iverson Classic. Black led Duncanville to the 2022 Texas 6A state championship and was named the Texas 6A State Tournament MVP. He was also a highly-regarded recruit as a wide receiver, receiving offers from Arkansas, Baylor and Texas among others.

2023-24 Orlando Magic preseason schedule

The Orlando Magic will open the 2023 preseason at New Orleans on Tuesday, October 10.

After playing at Cleveland on Thursday, October 12, Orlando will host its first preseason game at Amway Center on Tuesday, October 17 vs. New Orleans. Tip-off is 7 p.m.

On Friday, October 20, Orlando will host its preseason finale against Brazilian-team Flamengo. Tip-off is 7 p.m. This will mark Flamengo’s third trip all-time to Amway Center (2014, 2018) and the fourth time that the Magic and Flamengo have faced each other during the preseason. In 2015, Orlando traveled to Brazil as part of NBA Global Games Rio.

Magic forward Paolo Banchero wins 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year award

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero has been named the 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year.

For his accomplishments, he will be awarded the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy by the league.

Banchero joins Shaquille O’Neal (1992-93) and Mike Miller (2000-01) as the only Orlando Magic players ever to be named NBA Rookie of the Year.

Banchero received 494 points (98 first place votes) from a panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters.

Selected in the first round (first overall) of the 2022 NBA Draft, Banchero played and started in 72 games this season with Orlando, averaging a team-high 20.0 ppg., 6.9 rpg. and 3.7 apg. in 33.7 minpg. He ranked among all NBA leaders in rebounding (T-38th) and minutes played (T-37th). Banchero led all NBA rookies in scoring and minutes played, while also ranking among rookie leaders in rebounding (5th), assists (3rd), free throw percentage (7th), steals (4th) and blocked shots (7th).

Banchero became just the sixth NBA rookie in the last 50 seasons (since 1973-74) to average 20+ ppg., 6+ rpg. and 3+ apg. (minimum 50 games). He scored 20+ points 40 times and 30+ points six times this season, the most by any NBA rookie. The 40 20+ point games were the second-most by a rookie in team history (O’Neal, 60, 1992-93) and tied for fifth-most in NBA history for most 20+ point games by a rookie age 20-or-younger. Banchero’s six 30+ point games were also second-most by a rookie in team history (O’Neal, 10, 1992-93).

Banchero was named the Kia NBA’s Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month four consecutive times from December 2022-March/April 2023, joining Shaquille O’Neal (1992-93) as the only players in franchise history to win the honor four straight times.

The Wilt Chamberlain Trophy features a player palming two basketballs at once. Chamberlain’s 1959-60 season is unmatched for an NBA rookie. He averaged 37.6 ppg. and 27.0 rpg. in 46.4 minpg. for the Philadelphia Warriors, winning both Rookie of the Year and MVP awards. His career highlights include two NBA championships, 13 NBA All-Star selections, four league MVPs, 10 All-NBA Team selections, an NBA Finals MVP and inclusion on the league’s 35th, 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.

Orlando Magic hire Arnie Kander as vice president of player performance and wellness

The Orlando Magic have named Arnie Kander as vice president of player performance and wellness, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Kander, who brings more than 24 seasons of NBA experience, will be responsible for overseeing the Magic’s high performance staff, including the management of athletic training services, injury reduction and rehabilitation programming, strength and conditioning, sports science and recovery, and player nutrition.

“We are thrilled to welcome Arnie (Kander) to the Magic family,” said Weltman. “Over his career, Arnie has helped define the space of player performance. His experience and expertise will be invaluable as we train and care for our players. We look forward to him leading our performance team.”

An innovator in the fields of injury prevention, sports rehabilitation and physical conditioning, Kander is renowned in the professional sports world for his unique methods of application. He has designed recovery and workout programs that have proven to be successful.

Kander spent 23 seasons with the Detroit Pistons, originally joining the team during the spring of 1992, when he became the team’s first strength and conditioning coach. His duties in Detroit included the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries, as well as the design and implementation of specific programs that are aimed at enhancing individual players’ flexibility, strength and aerobic conditioning.

Kander also spent the 2015-16 season with the Minnesota Timberwolves as vice president of sports performance. Following his stint with Minnesota, Kander consulted with the Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers, while also working individually with a host of NBA players.

Magic forward Paolo Banchero had an outstanding rookie season

Via the Orlando Sentinel:

As the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft, Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero faced a plethora of expectations — internally and externally.

He met his own exceptions as a rookie while exceeding others.

“I wouldn’t say I exceeded them but I definitely met them,” Banchero said. “I did everything I wanted to do in my first year. It’s definitely time to take it to another level this next year. That’s what I’m excited about.”

While shifting his focus to his offseason work, Banchero also took time to reflect on the season that led to him being the betting favorite for Rookie of the Year.

With averages of 20 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists, he became the 12th rookie in the league’s history to average at least 20 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists for a season.