Category: Orlando Magic Blog

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Orlando Magic re-sign Gary Clark

The Orlando Magic have re-signed free agent forward Gary Clark, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Clark reportedly signed a contract for two years, $4.1 million.

“Gary (Clark) showed that he has the ability to compete with anyone during the NBA restart,” Weltman said. “He can both make shots and provide great effort on the defensive end. We are happy to have Gary return to Orlando.”

Clark (6’6”, 225, 11/16/94) played in 42 games (five starts) last season with both Houston and Orlando, averaging 3.7 ppg. and 2.6 rpg. in 13.5 minpg. He signed his first 10-day contract with the Magic on Jan. 14, then his second 10-day contract on Jan. 29, before signing for the remainder of the regular season on Feb. 8. In 24 regular season games (five starts) with the Magic, Clark averaged 3.6 ppg. and 2.9 rpg. in 14.8 minpg. He scored in double figures five times (three times with Orlando), including a career-high 15 points on Aug. 9 @ Boston. Clark also played and started in all five playoff outings, averaging 7.4 ppg., 5.6 rpg., 1.4 apg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 28.7 minpg. He scored a career playoff-high 15 points in Game #1 on Aug. 18 @ Milwaukee.

Per the Orlando Sentinel, “Clark gave the Magic a three-and-D and rebounding presence after being signed in mid-January to a 10-day contract. He wound up being signed for the rest of the year and proceeded to give the Magic bench minutes. After an injury to Aaron Gordon, Clark moved into the starting lineup near the end of the restart, then started all five games of the team’s playoff series against the Bucks.”

Undrafted by an NBA franchise, Clark has appeared in 93 career NBA regular season games (seven starts) with Houston and Orlando, averaging 3.3 ppg. and 2.4 rpg. in 13.0 minpg. He has played in seven career playoff outings (five starts), averaging 5.3 ppg., 4.1 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 21.1 minpg. Clark has also appeared and started in 11 career NBA G League games with Rio Grande Valley, averaging 14.9 ppg., 6.5 rpg., 2.6 apg., 1.55 stlpg. and 1.00 blkpg. in 32.6 minpg.

Clark appeared in 139 career games (137 starts) during four seasons at the University of Cincinnati (2014-18), averaging 10.5 ppg., 8.1 rpg., 2.0 apg., 1.29 blkpg. and 1.17 stlpg. in 28.8 minpg., while shooting .525 (542-1,033) from the floor and .383 (54-141) from three-point range. As a senior (2017-18), he averaged 12.9 ppg., 8.7 rpg., 2.1 apg., 1.42 stlpg. and 1.22 blkpg. in 28.5 minpg. Clark was named the 2017-18 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and was a two-time American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year (2016-17, 2017-18).

Magic sign NBA rookie Cole Anthony

The Orlando Magic have signed rookie guard Cole Anthony, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Anthony was selected in the first round (15th overall) of the 2020 NBA Draft.

Anthony (6’3”, 190, 5/15/00) played in 22 games (20 starts) last season as a freshman at The University of North Carolina, averaging 18.5 ppg., 5.7 rpg., 4.0 apg. and 1.32 stlpg. in 34.9 minpg. He led the Tar Heels in scoring and had the second-highest scoring average for a freshman in school history. Anthony was named Third Team All-ACC and to the All-ACC Freshman Team. He scored 20+ points nine times, including a career-high 34 points during his collegiate debut on Nov. 6, 2019 vs. Notre Dame. The 34 points was the most-ever by a UNC and ACC freshman.

As a high school senior (2018-19), Anthony was named 2019 USA Today First Team All-America and the Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year. He was the Most Valuable Player of both the 2019 McDonald’s All-American Game and the 2019 Jordan Brand Classic. Anthony was also a member of the U18 USA National Team, earned All-Tournament honors at the 2018 FIBA U18 Americas Championships and led Team USA in scoring at the 2019 Nike Hoops Summit. He is the son of Crystal McCrary and 11-year NBA veteran Greg Anthony.

Anthony will wear #50 with the Orlando Magic.

Magic and Michael Carter-Williams reportedly agree to a contract

The Magic and Michael Carter-Williams will reportedly extend their time together. Via the Orlando Sentinel:

The Magic reportedly have reached an agreement with free agent guard Michael Carter-Williams, who spent last season as a key rotational piece in Orlando…

Carter-Williams averaged 7.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 18.5 minutes per game last season and delivered the same energy and effort he’s come to be known for. With Augustin holding the back-up point guard role behind Markelle Fultz, Carter-Williams played the off-guard position for much of the season. While he struggled with consistency from the perimeter, Carter-Williams was adept at scoring at the rim.

Defensively, the Magic deployed the 6-foot-6 Carter-Williams at times against opponent’s small forwards and wing players, adding to his value.

Magic and James Ennis reportedly agree to contract

The Magic will reportedly be retaining the services of swingman James Ennis, who last season averaged 5.8 points per game for the Sixers and then 8.5 PPG for the Magic. It’s a one-year contract. Via the Orlando Sentinel:

Earlier in the week, the veteran forward declined to exercise his $2.13 million player option for 2020-21. Coming back for the same length of time on a new deal would seem to indicate Ennis could be getting more money or that he’s on track to be the Magic’s starting small forward.

In fact, Ennis will become the only small forward on the roster. Rookie Chuma Okeke is more of a power forward, although he could end up playing at the small forward spot. The Magic on Thursday declined to extend a qualifying offer to small forward Wes Iwundu, making him a free agent.

Orlando Magic extended qualifying offer to forward Gary Clark

The Orlando Magic have extended a qualifying offer to forward Gary Clark, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

By extending a qualifying offer to Clark, he now becomes a restricted free agent.

Clark (6’6”, 225, 11/16/94) played in 42 games (five starts) last season with both Houston and Orlando, averaging 3.7 ppg. and 2.6 rpg. in 13.5 minpg. He signed his first 10-day contract with the Magic on Jan. 14, then his second 10-day contract on Jan. 29, before signing for the remainder of the regular season on Feb. 8. In 24 regular season games (five starts) with the Magic, Clark averaged 3.6 ppg. and 2.9 rpg. in 14.8 minpg. He scored in double figures five times (three times with Orlando), including a career-high 15 points on Aug. 9 @ Boston. Clark also played and started in all five playoff outings, averaging 7.4 ppg., 5.6 rpg., 1.4 apg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 28.7 minpg. He scored a career playoff-high 15 points in Game #1 on Aug. 18 @ Milwaukee.

Undrafted by an NBA franchise, Clark has appeared in 93 career NBA regular season games (seven starts) with Houston and Orlando, averaging 3.3 ppg. and 2.4 rpg. in 13.0 minpg. He has played in seven career playoff outings (five starts), averaging 5.3 ppg., 4.1 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 21.1 minpg. Clark has also appeared and started in 11 career NBA G League games with Rio Grande Valley, averaging 14.9 ppg., 6.5 rpg., 2.6 apg., 1.55 stlpg. and 1.00 blkpg. in 32.6 minpg.

Clark appeared in 139 career games (137 starts) during four seasons at the University of Cincinnati (2014-18), averaging 10.5 ppg., 8.1 rpg., 2.0 apg., 1.29 blkpg. and 1.17 stlpg. in 28.8 minpg., while shooting .525 (542-1,033) from the floor and .383 (54-141) from three-point range. As a senior (2017-18), he averaged 12.9 ppg., 8.7 rpg., 2.1 apg., 1.42 stlpg. and 1.22 blkpg. in 28.5 minpg. Clark was named the 2017-18 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and was a two-time American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year (2016-17, 2017-18).

Magic and Bucks trade second round draft picks

The Orlando Magic have acquired two future second round draft picks from the Milwaukee Bucks (a second round pick owed to Milwaukee from Indiana in either 2022, 2023 or 2024 and Milwaukee’s second round pick in 2026) in exchange for the Magic’s second round draft pick (45th overall) in the 2020 NBA Draft.

The 2020 NBA draft, which like many other 2020 events, had to be rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic. It will take place tonight.

Quick Orlando Magic free agency overview

The Magic have a fairly simple free agency situation this offseason. They don’t face particularly big decisions, at least in terms of their own current roster. Here’s the Orlando Sentinel:

With the NBA draft and free agency tipping off this week, the Orlando Magic are expected to make decisions that will shape their 2020-21 roster.

D.J. Augustin and Michael Carter-Williams will be unrestricted free agents, and the Magic will have to decide whether to extend qualifying offers to Wes Iwundu and Gary Clark. Plus, the Magic will need to carve out a spot for 2019 first-round pick Chuma Okeke, who signed his rookie-scale contract on Monday, and likely for their 2020 draft pick (or picks) as well.

Free agent negotiations around the league formally begin Friday, and signings are allowed starting Sunday.

Magic sign rookie forward Chuma Okeke, who was drafted in 2019

The Orlando Magic have signed rookie forward Chuma Okeke, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Okeke (6’8”, 230, 8/18/98) was selected in the first round (16th overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chuma (Okeke) to the team,” said Weltman. “He’s demonstrated all of the characteristics that we had seen in him when we drafted him and we look forward to him starting his career with us.”

He played and started in 38 games during the 2018-19 campaign as a sophomore at Auburn University, averaging 12.0 ppg., 6.8 rpg., 1.9 apg., 1.82 stlpg. and 1.21 blkpg. in 29.1 minpg., while shooting .387 (55-142) from three-point range. Okeke led the Tigers in rebounding, steals (third in the SEC) and blocked shots. He was named to the 2019 SEC All-Tournament Team and the 2019 All-Midwest Regional Team. Okeke helped the Tigers reach the 2019 NCAA Final Four, but sustained a season-ending knee injury (torn left ACL) during their Sweet Sixteen win against North Carolina. During that contest, he became the first Auburn player since 2000 and fifth ever to record 20+ points and 10+ rebounds in a NCAA Tournament game.

Okeke played in 72 career games (38 starts) during two seasons (2017-19) at Auburn University, averaging 9.9 ppg., 6.3 rpg., 1.5 apg. and 1.28 stlpg. in 25.5 minpg., while shooting .389 (89-229) from three-point range.

Magic forward Jonathan Isaac undergoes surgery for torn ACL

Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac underwent surgery today on his left knee to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscal tear. The procedure was performed by Dr. Robert LaPrade.

Isaac will be out indefinitely and his return to the court will depend on how he responds to treatment and rehabilitation. He suffered the injury on August 2 during the fourth quarter of the Magic’s victory against Sacramento.

Isaac (6’10”, 230, 10/3/97) has played in 34 games (32 starts) this season for Orlando, averaging 11.9 ppg., 6.8 rpg., 1.4 apg., 2.29 blkpg. and 1.56 stlpg. in 28.8 minpg.

The Magic are currently playing the Sixers. If Orlando wins, they clinch the final-remaining Eastern conference playoff spot.

Earlier today, the Nets beat the Kings, which clinched a playoff spot for the Nets.

The Magic will also clinch a playoff spot if the Wizards lose tonight.

Magic forward Jonathan Isaac injured with torn ACL

Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac suffered a left knee injury with 9:19 remaining in the fourth quarter tonight against Sacramento. He underwent an MRI immediately after the game. Results revealed that Isaac has sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Isaac will be out indefinitely and his return to the court will depend on how he responds to treatment and rehabilitation.

Isaac (6’10”, 230, 10/3/97) has played in 34 games (32 starts) this season for Orlando, averaging 11.9 ppg., 6.8 rpg., 1.4 apg., 2.29 blkpg. and 1.56 stlpg. in 28.8 minpg.