Magic sign Adreian Payne to two-way contract

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent forward Adreian Payne to a two-way contract, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Payne (6’10”, 237, 2/19/91) appeared in 18 games last season with Minnesota, averaging 3.5 ppg. and 1.8 rpg. in 7.5 minpg. He also spent time with the Erie BayHawks of the NBA G League. Originally selected in the first round (15th overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft by Atlanta, Payne has played in 102 career NBA regular season games (24 starts) with Atlanta and Minnesota, averaging 4.0 ppg. and 3.0 rpg. in 13.3 minpg. He has also spent time with Fort Wayne, Austin and Erie of the NBA G League.

Payne played in 138 career games (94 starts) during four years at Michigan State University, averaging 8.9 ppg., 5.3 rpg. and 1.02 blkpg. in 20.0 minpg., while shooting .526 (447-850) from the floor. He finished his career as the Spartans’ all-time leader in blocked shots with 141. Payne helped Michigan State reach the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in three consecutive seasons (2011-14) and the Elite Eight in 2013-14. He was named Second Team All-Big Ten in both 2012-13 and 2013-14. As a senior (2013-14), Payne played in 31 games (28 starts), averaging 16.4 ppg., 7.3 rpg. and 1.3 apg. in 28.1 minpg. During the second round of the NCAA Tournament, he poured in a career-high 41 points, including 17-of-17 from the free throw line, on Mar. 20 vs. Delaware.

NBA Two-Way Contracts Explained

Per NBA rules, teams are permitted to sign two players to two-way contracts in addition to the 15-man regular-season roster. A two-way player for Orlando will provide services to the team’s G League affiliate – the Lakeland Magic – but can spend up to 45 days with Orlando, not including any time prior to the start of Lakeland’s training camp and at the conclusion of their season.

Rockets sign Demetrius Jackson to two-way contract

Rockets sign Demetrius Jackson to two-way contract

The Rockets have signed free agent guard Demetrius Jackson to a two-way contract.

Jackson (6-1, 201) was the 45th overall pick by Boston in the 2016 NBA Draft following his junior season at Notre Dame. He appeared in five games for the Celtics last season, spending the majority of 2016-17 assigned to their D-League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws. In 32 D-League games, Jackson averaged 14.8 points, 6.0 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.3 steals.

In his NBA debut, Jackson had 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in 11 minutes of play vs. Denver on Nov. 6, 2016. He averaged 9.3 points, 4.0 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.00 steals while shooting 46.4% from the floor and 50.0% from 3-point range for Boston in the MGM Resorts NBA Summer League 2017.

About Two-Way Contracts

NBA rosters have expanded from 15 to 17 players with the additional spots available for players under two-way contracts. Teams may have up to two players under two-way contracts who will spend the bulk of the season in the NBA G League (formerly NBA Development League) and not more than 45 days with their NBA team. Only players with four or fewer years of NBA service are able to sign two-way contracts, which can be for either one or two seasons.

Mavericks sign Jeff Withey

The Dallas Mavericks have signed free agent center Jeff Withey.

Withey (7-0, 230) is a four-year veteran who was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round (39th overall pick) of the 2013 NBA Draft. His draft rights were acquired by the New Orleans Pelicans on July 10, 2013. He spent his first two seasons in New Orleans before signing with the Utah Jazz as a free agent on Aug. 24, 2015. He has averaged 3.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 10.3 minutes in 197 career games (15 starts) with New Orleans and Utah.

The San Diego, Calif., native played four years at the University of Kansas where he saw action in 117 career games (76 starts) for the Jayhawks. In his senior campaign, Withey averaged 13.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per contest while earning NABC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Big 12 and Second Team All-American.

Adetunji Adedipe named Lakeland Magic assistant GM

Adetunji Adedipe has been named assistant general manager of the Lakeland Magic (G League), it was announce today by Orlando Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman.

Adedipe is in his third season with the Orlando Magic organization. He began his career as a basketball operations assistant for the Erie BayHawks of the NBA G League during the 2014-15 season prior to joining IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. While at IMG, Adedipe coached the Ascenders junior varsity and assisted in NBA pre-draft workouts. During the summer of 2015, he interned with the Philadelphia 76ers in the basketball operations department. Adedipe joined the Orlando Magic in September of 2015 as a basketball operations associate and served as basketball operations coordinator with the Erie BayHawks in 2016-17.

Adedipe was a three-year letterman and former captain of the Ohio University men’s basketball team. The Bobcats advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament in 2010 with a win over Georgetown. A native of Cleveland, Oh., Adedipe graduated from Ohio University in 2010 and received a master’s degree in comparative politics in 2012.