Orlando Magic Blog – Page 18 – NBA Blog

Magic sign Rashad Vaughn to 10-day contract

The Magic today signed guard Rashad Vaughn to a 10-day contract.

The 6’6”, 210-pound Vaughn, born 8/16/96, has played in a combined 23 games this season with both Mthe Bucks and Nets, averaging 2.6 points in 7.7 minutes per game. He was traded by Milwaukee to Brooklyn, along with a second round draft pick, in exchange for Tyler Zeller on Feb. 5. Vaughn was then traded by the Nets to New Orleans in exchange for Dante Cunningham on Feb. 8. He was waived by the Pelicans on Feb. 10.

Originally selected in the first round (17th overall) of the 2015 NBA Draft by Milwaukee, Vaughn has appeared in 134 career NBA regular season games (eight starts) with Milwaukee and Brooklyn, averaging 3.1 ppg. and 1.1 rpg. in 12.2 minpg. Prior to his NBA career, he spent one season at UNLV (2014-15), averaging 17.8 ppg., 4.8 rpg. and 1.6 apg. in 32.3 minpg., while shooting .383 (54-141) from three-point range. Vaughn was named 2014-15 Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year, as well as Honorable Mention All-MWC.

The Magic’s roster now stands at 16 players.

Vaughn will wear #20 with Orlando.

Suns waive Isaiah Canaan, trade for Elfrid Payton

The Phoenix Suns today waived guard Isaiah Canaan, then completed a trade to acquire point guard Elfrid Payton from the Orlando Magic in exchange for a 2018 second-round pick via Memphis.

“We are excited to add a player of Elfrid’s caliber to our young core,” said Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough. “Elfrid is an athletic point guard who has good size, length and a feel for the game. We think he’ll be a great fit with our team and we look forward to seeing him in a Suns uniform.”

In his fourth NBA season, Payton is averaging a career-high 13.0 points shooting career bests of 52.0 percent from the field (23rd in the NBA) and 37.3 percent from three-point range. In addition, he is averaging 6.3 assists (14th in the NBA), 4.0 rebounds and 1.45 steals (24th in the NBA) in 44 games. Payton is one of just three players in the NBA this season averaging at least six assists while shooting over 50 percent from the field along with LeBron James and Ben Simmons, and also joins James and Simmons as the only three players to rank in the top 25 in assists, steals and field goal percentage.

Payton holds career averages of 11.1 points, 6.4 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.36 steals in 281 games, starting 234. The Magic’s all-time franchise leader with eight career triple-doubles, he scored a career-high 30 points earlier this season on December 23 at Washington. Currently exceeding six assists per game for the fourth straight season, Payton is the first NBA player since Chris Paul from 2005-2009 to average at least six assists in each of his first four NBA seasons.

The 6-4, 185-pound floor general was originally the 10th overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers before being traded to the Magic on draft night. Named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2015, Payton twice participated in the Rising Stars Challenge at NBA All-Star Weekend.

A native of Gretna, Louisiana, Payton starred collegiately at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for three seasons from 2011-2014. He won the 2013-14 Lefty Driesell Award given annually to the nation’s top defensive player and represented USA Basketball at the 2013 FIBA Under-19 World Championship in Czech Republic, starting all nine games to help lead the U.S. to a 9-0, gold-medal finish.

The second-round pick heading to Orlando was originally secured by the Suns along with guard Troy Daniels in a deal with the Grizzlies on September 22, 2017. The pick to be conveyed will be the second most favorable selection of Memphis, Charlotte or Miami’s 2018 second-round picks.

Payton will wear uniform No. 2.

“We still consider Isaiah to be a member of the Phoenix Suns family,” said Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough. “In speaking with Isaiah and his agent, we are fully committed to doing everything we can to help him with his rehab and recovery from his injury. This move is being made strictly to create a roster spot with Isaiah being out for the remainder of the season.”

In his fifth NBA season, Canaan initially signed with the Suns on December 13 and averaged 9.1 points and 4.0 assists in 19 games with the team. He recorded 10 games scoring in double digits with the Suns, including a season-high 17 points in a win at Dallas on December 18. On January 31, Canaan sustained a fractured left ankle in the first quarter against the Mavericks then underwent successful surgery in Phoenix on February 1.

The Suns’ roster stands at 17 players

Terrence Ross out with multiple injuries

After further evaluation, including an MRI, Orlando Magic guard/forward Terrence Ross has been diagnosed with a sprained right medial collateral ligament (MCL) and a non-displaced fracture of his right tibial plateau, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced. Ross suffered the injury at the 4:38 mark of the second quarter during last night’s victory over Oklahoma City.

He will be out indefinitely and miss a significant amount of time. His return to play will depend on how the injury heals and how he responds to treatment.

Ross (6’7”, 206, 2/5/91) has played in all 22 games this season for Orlando (20 starts), averaging 9.0 ppg., 3.2 rpg., 1.6 apg. and 1.23 stlpg. in 26.2 minpg. He has scored in double figures nine times and had 20+ points once, including a season-high 22 points on Nov. 22 @ Minnesota.

There will be no 2018 Orlando Summer League

Summer bball action will change a bit in 2018. The Orlando Magic won’t be holding their usual league, which means the already-dominant main NBA-run league in Vegas will presumably become even bigger. Here’s the Orlando Sentinel reporting:

The Orlando Magic will not hold their annual summer league in Orlando next year and will participate instead in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, team officials told the Orlando Sentinel.

The decision is a radical departure for the Magic, who ran and managed their own summer league in Central Florida 14 times since 2002…

Eight teams participated in the Orlando Pro Summer League this year and played five games apiece. In addition to the Magic, the other teams were the Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Full article

Magic sign Jamel Artis to two-way contract

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard Jamel Artis to a two-way contract.

Artis (#0, 6’7”, 215, 1/12/93) played in 135 career games (98 starts) during four years at the University of Pittsburgh, averaging 12.6 ppg., 4.6 rpg. and 2.3 apg. in 27.6 minpg., while shooting .378 (170-450) from three-point range. He finished his career as one of only three players in Pitt history to record at least 1,600 points, 500 rebounds and 300 assists. Artis was named Third Team All-ACC by the coaches in 2014-15 and earned All-ACC Academic Team honors in 2013-14. As a senior (2016-17), he played in 32 games (31 starts), averaging 18.2 ppg., 4.9 rpg. and 3.3 apg. in 34.3 minpg. On Jan. 11, 2017 @ Louisville, Artis poured in a career-high 43 points.

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.

Magic waive Kalin Lucas and Damjan Rudez

The Orlando Magic have waived guard Kalin Lucas and forward Damjan Rudez (DAHM-yahn ROO dezh), President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Rudež appeared in four games during the preseason with the Magic, averaging 0.8 ppg. in 8.8 minpg. He played in 45 outings last season with Orlando, averaging 1.8 ppg. in 7.0 minpg. Rudež was originally signed as a free agent on Septemner 8, 2016.

Lucas played in five games during the preseason with Orlando, averaging 2.0 ppg. in 6.7 minpg. He was originally signed as a free agent on August 31, 2017.

Orlando’s roster now stands at 16 players.

Orlando Magic waive Troy Caupain and Rodney Purvis

The Orlando Magic have waived guards Troy Caupain (CO-pain) and Rodney Purvis, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today. Orlando’s roster now stands at 18 players (see below).

Caupain and Purvis did not appear in any preseason games with the Magic. Caupain was originally signed as a free agent on August 31, while Purvis was signed as a free agent on October 9.

Magic sign Rodney Purvis

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard Rodney Purvis, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Purvis (6’4”, 205, 2/14/94) played in 137 career games (100 starts) during four years at both North Carolina State (2012-13) and the University of Connecticut (2014-17), averaging 11.6 ppg., 3.0 rpg. and 1.8 apg. in 29.1 minpg. Last season, he appeared in 33 games (32 starts), averaging 13.8 ppg., 4.2 rpg., 2.5 apg. and 1.03 stlpg. in 36.9 minpg. As a sophomore (2014-15), Purvis led the Huskies in scoring during the postseason, averaging 17.8 ppg., and was named to the 2015 American Athletic Conference’s All-Tournament Team.

Purvis will wear #15 for the Magic.

Orlando’s roster now stands at 20 players.

Orlando Magic hire Tracy McGrady

The Orlando Magic have announced that perennial NBA All-Star and Naismith Basketball Hall-of-Famer Tracy McGrady will join the front office as special assistant to the CEO.

McGrady will be available to the organization as needed in a variety of capacities. He will be available to the players and coaches on and off the court, will assist and advise the executive team in several areas and will help with promotion, marketing and community relations activities for the Lakeland Magic of the NBA G League.

“Having Tracy McGrady, a perennial All-Star and a Hall-of-Famer, on our staff is tremendous for our entire organization,” said Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins. “Whether it will be on the court with the team or in the Central Florida community, Tracy’s knowledge, experience and stature will be an incredible asset for our players and our organization. We are extremely excited to bring him back home.”

“I am thrilled to be back where I truly made a name for myself – with the Orlando Magic,” said McGrady. “The DeVos family and the entire organization have always done everything in a first-class manner and I am excited to be able to help them with whatever they may need.”

McGrady played in 295 games (294 starts) during his four seasons with the Magic (2000-04), averaging 28.1 ppg., 7.0 rpg., 5.2 apg. and 1.53 stlpg. in 39.4 minpg. While with Orlando, he was a two-time All-NBA First Team selection (2001-02, 2002-03), a two-time All-NBA Second Team selection (2000-01, 2003-04), a four-time NBA All-Star (2001-04), led the NBA in scoring twice (2002-03, 32.1 ppg.; 2003-04, 28.0 ppg.) and was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2000-01.

McGrady’s scoring average of 28.1 ppg. remains the highest in Orlando Magic history. He also stands among the franchise’s all-time leaders in free throws made (second, 1,819), points (third, 8,298), free throws attempted (fourth, 2,368), field goals attempted (fourth, 6,689), field goals made (fifth, 2,985), steals (sixth, 452), assists (seventh, 1,533), blocked shots (seventh, 292), rebounds (eighth, 2,067), three-point field goals attempted (eighth, 1,410), three-point field goals made (ninth, 509) and minutes played (tenth, 11,628). McGrady was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in September 2017.

Adreian Payne suffers broken hand

During today’s practice, Orlando Magic forward Adreian Payne suffered a fractured fourth metacarpal in his left hand, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced. His return to play will depend on how the injury heals and how he responds to treatment.

Payne (6’10”, 237, 2/19/91) signed a two-way contract with Orlando on August 21. He did not play in the Magic’s preseason opener on October 2 at Memphis.

Payne 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.