Orlando Magic Blog – Page 16 – NBA Blog

Magic sign John Petrucelli, waive B.J. Johnson

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard John Petrucelli and have waived B.J. Johnson.

Petrucelli (#12, 6’4”, 190, 10/27/92) appeared in 43 games (seven starts) last season (2017-18) with the Lakeland Magic of the NBA G League, averaging 8.3 ppg., 4.1 rpg., 1.2 apg. and 1.28 stlpg. in 20.9 minpg. He has played in 75 career NBA G League games with Erie and Lakeland, averaging 7.1 ppg., 3.6 rpg., 1.3 apg. and 1.09 stlpg. in 21.0 minpg. Petrucelli spent two seasons (2014-16) in Slovakia after playing collegiately at Molloy College (NY).

Thunder waive Richard Solomon, Bryce Alford and K.J. McDaniels

The OKC Thunder waived center Richard Solomon, guard Bryce Alford and forward K.J. McDaniels today.

Solomon did not play at all in preseason.

Alford played in three preseason games, averaging 2.3 points and 0.7 rebounds in 3.0 minutes per outing.

McDaniels participated in two preseason games and averaged of 3.5 points and 3.0 rebounds in 8.2 minutes.

According to the Oklahoman, “the Thunder has until the NBA’s opening day (Oct. 16) to get its roster to 15 or fewer guaranteed contracts, not including two-way players. The Thunder is currently carrying 14 guaranteed contracts. Two-way contracts do not count against the NBA salary cap.”

Magic sign Devin Davis, waive Gabe York

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent forward Devin Davis. The team has also waived guard Gabe York.

Davis (6’6”, 225, 3/29/95) played in 55 career games (48 starts) during two seasons (2016-18) at the University of Houston, averaging 9.9 ppg., 5.9 rpg. and 1.2 apg. in 24.1 minpg. As a senior (2017-18), he played and started in all 35 contests, averaging 10.9 ppg., a team-high 6.3 rpg. and 1.3 apg. in 26.0 minpg. Davis was the only Cougar to start all 35 outings and ranked seventh in the American Athletic Conference in rebounding.

Magic exercise contract option on Jonathan Isaac

The Orlando Magic have exercised their third-year team option on forward Jonathan Isaac.

Isaac is now signed through the 2019-20 season.

Isaac (6’10”, 210, 10/3/97) played in 27 games (ten starts) during his rookie campaign last season with the Magic, averaging 5.4 ppg., 3.7 rpg., 1.22 stlpg. and 1.11 blkpg. in 19.8 minpg. Isaac was originally selected by Orlando in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2017 NBA Draft.

Magic sign Amile Jefferson to two-way contract

The Orlando Magic signed free agent forward Amile Jefferson to a two-way contract today.

Jefferson, who is 6-foot-9, 222 pounds, born 5/7/1993, played in 47 games (46 starts) last season with the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G League, averaging 17.8 ppg., a team-high 12.8 rpg., 2.5 apg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 34.8 minpg., while shooting .626 (335-525) from the floor. He recorded an NBA G League-record 36 double-doubles. Jefferson was named to the All-NBA G League Second Team, the NBA G League All-Defensive and All-Rookie Teams.

Not drafted by an NBA franchise in 2017, Jefferson played 150 career games at Duke University from 2012-17, averaging 7.2 ppg. and 6.3 rpg. in 22.3 minpg., while shooting .620 (426-687) from the floor. His 150 games are the most played in Duke history and tied for the seventh most all-time in NCAA history. Jefferson helped the Blue Devils capture the 2015 NCAA National Championship. Duke went 124-26 when he played, giving him the third-most wins in program history. At the end of his career, Jefferson also ranked second on Duke’s all-time list in field goal percentage, third in offensive rebounds (361), seventh in blocked shots (138) and 11th in rebounds (944).

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.

Grizzlies, Magic trade Dakari Johnson, Tyler Harvey, Jarell Martin

The Memphis Grizzlies have acquired center Dakari Johnson and the draft rights to guard Tyler Harvey in a trade with the Orlando Magic for forward Jarell Martin and cash considerations.

Johnson (7-0, 255) saw action in 31 games (six starts) for the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2017-18 season and averaged 1.8 points and 1.1 rebounds in 5.2 minutes. The 22-year-old has spent three seasons in the NBA G League with the Oklahoma City Blue since he was selected by Oklahoma City with the 48th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft following his sophomore season at the University of Kentucky. The New York native was acquired by Orlando on July 20.

Harvey (6-4, 185) competed for Antibes in the French LNB Pro A during the 2017-18 season. Selected by Orlando with the 51st overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft following his junior season at Eastern Washington University, the 25-year-old Torrance, California native also has spent time in the NBA G League with the Erie BayHawks (2015-16) and in Italy with Fiat Torino (2016-17).

Martin (6’10”, 239, 5/24/94) played in 73 games (36 starts) last season with Memphis, averaging 7.7 ppg., 4.4 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 22.7 minpg. He scored in double figures 23 times, including a career-high 20 points on Dec. 27 @ L.A. Lakers. Martin led (or tied) the Grizzlies in scoring once, in rebounding four times and in assists once. He pulled down 10+ rebounds five times, including a career-high 14 boards on Mar. 28 vs. Portland, and recorded two double-doubles. Martin also played and started in two games with the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League, averaging 11.0 ppg., 5.5 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 26.8 minpg.

Originally selected in the first round (25th overall) of the 2015 NBA Draft by Memphis, Martin has appeared in 142 career NBA regular season games (39 starts), all with the Grizzlies, averaging 6.2 ppg. and 4.0 rpg. in 18.3 minpg. He has also played in 34 career games (27 starts) in the NBA G League with Iowa and Memphis, averaging 15.3 ppg., 7.0 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 28.3 minpg.

During his college career at Louisiana State University, Martin played in 65 games (57 starts) during two seasons from 2013-15, averaging 13.7 ppg., 6.9 rpg. and 1.4 apg. in 30.7 minpg. As a sophomore (2014-15), he played 33 games (32 starts) with the Tigers, averaging 16.9 ppg., 9.2 rpg. and 1.8 apg. in 35.1 minpg. Martin was a consensus All-SEC First Team selection and led LSU to their first NCAA appearance since 2009.

Orlando Magic announce new flagship radio station home

In Florida NBA radio news, FM 96.9 The Game will serve as the new flagship home for the Orlando Magic Radio Network.

Every preseason, regular season and postseason Magic game is broadcast on the Magic Radio Network, with radio affiliates across the state of Florida. FM 96.9 The Game will serve as the flagship station in Orlando, where you can also listen on AM 740.

“We are extremely excited to continue our relationship with iHeartMedia and expand upon it by naming FM 96.9 The Game our new flagship station for the Magic Radio Network,” said Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins. “iHeartMedia and FM 96.9 The Game will bring our product to our fans and stakeholders in a first-class manner. We thank ESPN 580 Orlando for 27 excellent years of serving as the radio home of the Magic.”

Dennis Neumann will provide the play-by-play for every game, Richie Adubato takes on the color analyst duties for all home games, while Brandon Kravitz serves as pregame, halftime and postgame host for all games, and will provide sideline reports for all home contests.

“We are thrilled about this expansion of our partnership with the Orlando Magic and iHeartMedia,” iHeartMedia Division President Linda Byrd said. “This is an exciting time to be a Magic fan and an exciting time for FM 96.9 The Game. Adding Orlando Magic games to our programming lineup truly solidifies our radio station’s position as Orlando’s Sports Leader!”

In addition, “Magic Drive Time,” hosted by Dante Marchitelli, will return for its eighth season and air Monday-Friday from 6-6:30 p.m. on FM 96.9 The Game, AM 740 and the iHeartRADIO app throughout the NBA season. Each day, Marchitelli will be joined by a different co-host, including a rotation of Head Coach Steve Clifford, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman, General Manager John Hammond, Magic players, broadcasters and front office personnel. Fans will hear all the latest Magic and NBA news from people in the know. Marchitelli enters his 20th season with the Orlando Magic and also serves as pregame host/sideline reporter for FOX Sports Florida.

Thunder and Magic trade Rodney Purvis, Dakari Johnson

The Oklahoma City Thunder has acquired guard Rodney Purvis from the Orlando Magic in exchange for center Dakari Johnson and cash considerations, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Purvis (6-4, 205) played in 16 games (two starts) last season and averaged 6.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 18.1 minutes per game.

Johnson, originally selected by Oklahoma City with the 48th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, appeared in 31 games (six starts) during the 2017-18 campaign, averaging 1.8 points and 1.1 rebounds in 5.2 minutes per contest.

Three-team trade sends Bismack Biyombo to Hornets, Jerian Grant to Magic

Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations & General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced today that the team has acquired center Bismack Biyombo and two second-round draft picks from the Orlando Magic.

In a three-team trade with the Orlando Magic and Chicago Bulls, Charlotte received center Bismack Biyombo and two future second-round picks in the 2019 and 2020 NBA Drafts while sending Timofey Mozgov to the Magic and Julyan Stone to the Bulls.

Additionally, Orlando received guard Jerian Grant from Chicago in the deal.

Biyombo played in all 82 regular-season games with Orlando last season (25 starts), averaging 5.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and a team-high 1.2 blocks in 18.2 minutes per contest. With 95 blocked shots in 2017-18, he ranked 19th in the NBA. Biyombo scored in double figures 14 times, including a career-high 21 points at Washington on Jan. 12. He also recorded seven double-doubles last season.

The seventh-year center began his NBA career in Charlotte after being selected by Sacramento in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft and sent to Charlotte in a draft night trade. Biyombo has appeared in 529 career NBA regular-s‎eason games (210 starts) with Charlotte, Toronto and Orlando, averaging 5.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 20.9 minutes per game, while shooting .513 (992-1933) from the floor. He has also played in 23 career NBA playoff contests (11 starts), averaging 5.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 24.1 minutes per game.

Biyombo, who played for Charlotte from 2011-14, remains fifth in Hornets history in career blocks (443) and blocks per game (1.6), and ranks seventh in career offensive rebounds (571).

Mozgov was acquired by the Hornets in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets on July 6, 2018. Mozgov holds career averages of 6.8 points and 4.9 rebounds in 18.0 minutes per game over the course of eight NBA seasons with the New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets.

Stone (6-6, 200) has played in the NBA for four seasons with career averages of 1.1 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. He went undrafted in 2011, but signed with the Denver Nuggets as a free agent and made his NBA debut on Jan. 11, 2012. Stone has also seen time with the Toronto Raptors (2013-14), and most recently with the Hornets, where he played in 23 games in the 2017-18 season. He also has G League experience with the Idaho Stampede, Iowa Energy and Greensboro Swarm.

Magic promote Charles Freeman to President of Business Operations

The Orlando Magic have promoted Charles Freeman to President of Business Operations.

Freeman is entering his 23rd season with the team.

Freeman, who in mid 2015 received promotion to Chief Operating Officer, is responsible for oversight and management of tickets sales, premium sales, client services, ticket operations, corporate partnerships, marketing, arena operations, retail, philanthropy and social responsibility.

“Charlie has provided tremendous leadership in growing our business and is incredibly deserving of this promotion,” said Magic Chief Executive Officer Alex Martins. “On a daily basis, he lives our core values of community, innovation, legendary service and teamwork.”

Freeman started with the Magic in 1996 as a market research analyst for corporate sponsorship and broadcast sales. He was responsible for all research and strategic planning for the department.

This past year, Orlando posted its highest attendance average (17,915 per game) in the last seven years, while ranking No. 1 in in the NBA in group ticket sales and No. 3 in single-game ticket sales. The Magic also was named the 2018 NBA’s Retailer of the Year.

Additionally, the Magic renewed major ‘Champion of the Community’ corporate partners Walt Disney World, Florida Hospital and Harris, while adding RP Funding to the family. Under Freeman’s watch, the Magic became the first NBA team to launch VenueNext technology, a fully mobile platform to enhance the fan experience at the Amway Center.