Orlando Magic Blog – Page 16 – NBA Blog

NBA Players of Week: Nikola Vucevic and Anthony Davis

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Magic center Nikola Vucevic has been named the NBA’s Eastern Conference Player of the Week, and Pelicans forward-center Anthony Davis the Western Conference Player of the Week for games played between November 11-18, 2018.

It marks the second time that Vucevic has won the award during his career and the first time a Magic player has won the award since Vucevic earned it for the period ending Mar. 30, 2014.

During four games last week, Vucevic averaged 27.8 ppg., 10.5 rpg., 4.0 apg. and 1.25 stlpg., while shooting .581 (43-74) from the floor and .471 (8-17) from three-point range. He led Orlando to a 3-1 record with wins over Philadelphia, the L.A. Lakers and New York. Vucevic tallied three double-doubles and scored 28-or-more points in three consecutive games, becoming the first Magic player since Dwight Howard accomplished the feat Mar. 1-5, 2012.

Vucevic has played and started in all 17 games this season, averaging a team-high 20.4 ppg., a team-high 10.8 rpg., 3.6 apg., 1.12 stlpg. and 1.12 blkpg. in 30.5 minpg., while shooting a team-best .556 (144-259) from the floor, .452 (19-42) from three-point range and .813 (39-48) from the free throw line. He has led (or tied) the Magic in scoring seven times, in rebounding 13 times and in assists twice.

Davis led the Pelicans to a 3-1 week behind averages of 34.3 points (ranked 2nd in the NBA), 14.0 rebounds (4th in the NBA) and 2.0 blocks (T-5th in the NBA). Davis helped lead the Pelicans to a win at Toronto – handing the Raptors just their second loss of the season, and their first loss at home, behind 25 points and a season-high 20 rebounds – a 19-point comeback victory against New York on Nov. 16, registering a season-high 43 points to go with 17 rebounds and five assists, and capped off the week with 40 points, eight rebounds and a career-high-tying eight assists, while shooting 20-of-21 at the free throw line, Nov. 17 vs. Denver. Davis finished the week as one of just five players (at least 50 field goal attempts) to shoot at least .500 from the floor, .400 from three-point range and .850 from the free throw line.

This marks the fifth time Davis has earned Player of the Week honors during his career, and the first time during the 2018-19 season, becoming the first player in franchise history to earn multiple Player of the Week honors in the same season since Chris Paul in 2008-09.

Davis is currently averaging 27.5 points (ranked fifth in the NBA), 12.7 rebounds (ranked tied for sixth in the NBA) and 2.8 blocks (ranked second in the NBA) on the season for the Pelicans.

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Thunder sign Dez Wells, Donte Grantham and Scotty Hopson

The Oklahoma City Thunder has signed forwards Dez Wells and Donte Grantham, and guard Scotty Hopson.

These signings probably won’t carry into the regular season. NBA preseason wraps up Friday, then teams must trim down their rosters.

Grantham (6-8, 205) was a four-year starter at Clemson University. In 114 career games (113 starts), he averaged 9.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 30.2 minutes per game.

The West Virginia native is one of six players in Clemson history to amass 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 200 assists in a career.

Hopson (6-7, 204) played with Galatasaray in Turkey during the 2017-18 season, appearing in 27 games (13 starts) and averaging 11.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 20.9 minutes per game.

The Tennessee product played in 43 games (35 starts) during the 2014-15 season with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA G League and averaged 19.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 32.2 minutes per game.

Wells (6-5, 215) spent the 2017-18 season with Sidigas Avellino in Italy, appearing in 52 games (28 starts) and averaging 11.3 points on 54.2 percent shooting from the field, 2.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 22.4 minutes per game.

Wells has previously appeared in 47 games (22 starts) over two seasons with the Oklahoma City Blue and averaged 12.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.06 steals in 27.5 minutes per game.

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.