Orlando Magic Blog – Page 21 – NBA Blog

Magic shooting badly in preseason

Preseason is just a warmup, and it’s never smart to pay too much attention to stats. Unless something particularly important — like shooting — stands out one way or another. Then, you still don’t sound any alarms. But you take notice. Here’s the Orlando Sentinel reporting:

Setting aside Evan Fournier’s and Jeff Green’s numbers, the rest of the Magic have made only 40.0 percent of their shots.

Wednesday’s 95-89 loss to the San Antonio Spurs provided a case in point. Fournier went seven for 14 from the field, while Green converted seven of his 12 attempts.

The rest of the Magic combined to shoot 32.7 percent…

Center Nikola Vucevic struggled with his shooting stroke against San Antonio, scoring six points on 1-of-7 shooting. But Vucevic said he concentrated on moving the ball and acclimating to playing alongside Serge Ibaka as Ibaka made his preseason debut.

Many Magic players have something to prove

The Magic have a nice chunk of talent coming into this season. Many of their players have been supporting guys in their careers and now have an opportunity to step up and emerge as leaders. There’s plenty of potential on this roster. Seeing how it comes together will be worth watching. For more on the Magic, here’s the Orlando Sentinel:

The Orlando Magic have one of the NBA’s most diverse rosters. The players hail from six different countries. They can speak a dizzying assortment of languages. And they range widely in age, from 20-year-old rookie Stephen Zimmerman to 32-year old veteran C.J. Watson.

But there’s one thing almost all Magic players seem to share in common.

Many of them have something to prove.

Bismack Biyombo and Evan Fournier, signed over the summer to multi-year deals worth $17 million a season, can prove they deserve their big contracts. Jeff Green, Serge Ibaka and Jodie Meeks, who are scheduled to become free agents in July, can show they’re worthy of big investments. And Elfrid Payton and Watson can demonstrate that their disappointing 2015-16 seasons were anomalies.

“It’s definitely a good thing,” said center Nikola Vucevic, who can prove he can become a better defender and also faces competition from Biyombo.

Magic sign Nick Johnson, Cliff Alexander, Kevin Murphy, Branden Dawson, Damjan Rudez and Arinze Onuaku

Filling up most of their training camp roster, the Magic have signed six free agents: forward Cliff Alexander, forward Branden Dawson, guard Nick Johnson, guard Kevin Murphy, center Arinze Onuaku (ah-RIN-zay on-ooh-AH-koo) and forward Damjan Rudez (DAHM-yahn ROO-dezh).

Alexander (#2, 6’8”, 245, 11/16/95) played in eight games last season during his rookie campaign with Portland, averaging 1.3 ppg. in 4.5 minpg. He also spent time with the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA Development League. Alexander, who was not drafted by an NBA franchise, played in 28 games (six starts) during his only season at the University of Kansas (2014-15), averaging 7.1 ppg., 5.3 rpg. and 1.32 blkpg. in 17.5 minpg.

Dawson (#22, 6’6”, 225, 2/1/93) appeared in six games last season during his rookie campaign with the Los Angeles Clippers, tallying five points in 4.8 minpg. He also played with the Bakersfield Jam, Erie BayHawks and Grand Rapids Drive of the NBA Development League. Originally selected in the second round (56th overall) of the 2015 NBA Draft by New Orleans, Dawson played in 130 career games (122 starts) during four seasons at Michigan State University (2011-15), averaging 10.1 ppg., 6.9 rpg., 1.4 apg., 1.25 stlpg. and 1.09 blkpg. in 26.6 minpg., while shooting .559 (566-1,013) from the floor.

Johnson (#13, 6’3”, 202, 12/22/92) played in 34 games (25 starts) last season with the Austin Spurs of the NBA Development League, averaging 10.4 ppg., 3.7 rpg. and 3.0 apg. in 28.9 minpg. As a rookie during the 2014-15 campaign, he appeared in 28 games with the Houston Rockets, averaging 2.6 ppg. and 1.4 rpg. in 9.4 minpg. Originally selected in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft by Houston, Johnson played in 108 career games (101 starts) during three seasons at the University of Arizona (2011-14), averaging 12.3 ppg., 3.7 rpg., 2.8 apg. and 1.27 stlpg. in 30.9 minpg.

Murphy (#55, 6’5”, 185, 3/6/90) appeared in 49 games last season with the Hitachi SunRockers of the Japan Basketball League, averaging 14.7 ppg., 4.3 rpg. and 2.0 apg. in 21.8 minpg. He has also spent time with the Grand Rapids Drive and Idaho Stampede in the NBA Development League. As a rookie during the 2012-13 campaign, Murphy played in 17 games with the Utah Jazz, averaging 0.9 ppg. in 3.1 minpg. Originally selected in the second round (47th overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft by Utah, Murphy played in 128 career games (110 starts) during four seasons at Tennessee Tech University (2008-12), averaging 15.8 ppg., 4.2 rpg. and 2.0 apg. in 29.0 minpg.

Onuaku (#21, 6’9”, 255, 7/13/87) played and started in 17 games with the Meralco Bolts of the Philippine Basketball Association, averaging 18.7 ppg., 17.5 rpg., 2.9 apg. and 1.5 blkpg. in 41.1 minpg., while shooting .658 (129-196) from the field. He also appeared in 11 games for Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israel Premier League, averaging 7.2 ppg. and 3.5 rpg. in 12.0 minpg. Onuaku has played in 11 career NBA games with New Orleans, Cleveland and Minnesota (2013-15), aveaging 2.7 ppg. and 2.6 rpg. in 8.9 minpg. Not drafted by an NBA franchise, Onuaku appeared in 134 career games (103 starts) during four seasons at Syracuse University (2005-06, 2007-10), averaging 9.2 ppg., 6.0 rpg. and 1.10 blkpg. in 22.8 minpg., while shooting .648 (540-833) from the floor.

Rudez (#3, 6’10”, 228, 6/17/86) appeared in 33 games last season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, averaging 2.3 ppg. in 8.4 minpg. Not drafted by an NBA franchise, he has played in 101 career NBA games (two starts) with Indiana and Minnesota (2014-16), averaging 3.9 ppg. in 13.1 minpg., while shooting .391 (86-220) from three-point range. Rudez is a former member of the Croatian Senior National Team.

Orlando’s roster stands at 19 players. Training camp opens on Tuesday, September 27.

Magic sign second round draft pick Stephen Zimmerman

The Orlando Magic have signed rookie center Stephen Zimmerman, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today.

Zimmerman was selected by Orlando in the second round (41st overall) of NBA Draft 2016.

Zimmerman (#33, 7’0”, 240, 9/9/96) played in 26 games (24 starts) with UNLV as a freshman last season, averaging 10.5 ppg., a team-high 8.7 rpg. and a team-high 1.96 blkpg. in 26.2 minpg. He ranked second in the Mountain West Conference in blocked shots and third in rebounding. Zimmerman scored in double figures 17 times, including a career-high 21 points on Feb. 2 @ New Mexico. He pulled down 10+ rebounds 13 times, including a career-best 16 boards on Jan. 19 @ Utah State.

While at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Zimmerman led the Gaels to four straight state championships, becoming the only player in Nevada history to accomplish the feat at the large-school level. His 114 career wins also made him the winningest player in school history. As a senior (2014-15), Zimmerman was selected as both a McDonald’s All-American and a Jordan Brand All-American, after averaging 14.7 ppg., 10.1 rpg., 4.2 apg., 2.4 blkpg and 1.2 stlpg.

During the summer of 2014, Zimmerman was a member of USA Basketball’s U18 National Team, which won gold at the FIBA Americas U18 Championships. He averaged 8.8 ppg., 6.2 rpg. and 1.2 blkpg. in five outings. Zimmerman teamed with Myles Turner, Justise Winslow and Stanley Johnson on that squad. He also played for the U.S. team at the 2015 Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Oregon.

Orlando Magic re-sign Evan Fournier

The Orlando Magic have re-signed restricted free agent guard/forward Evan Fournier. The deal is reportedly a $85 million dollar contract over five years.

“As soon as the season ended, we said bringing Evan (Fournier) back was a top priority for us,” said Magic General Manager Rob Hennigan. “He made tremendous strides last season and we’re confident he will continue to improve and grow as an integral member of our core. We are extremely happy to have Evan back in an Orlando Magic uniform.”

Fournier (6’7”, 205, 10/29/92) appeared in 79 games (71 starts) with Orlando last season, averaging a career-high 15.4 ppg., 2.8 rpg., 2.7 apg. and 1.22 stlpg. in a career-high 32.5 minpg., while shooting a team-high .400 (156-390) from three-point range and a team-high .836 (199-238) from the free throw line. He was tied for 17th in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage and ranked 35th in free throw percentage. Fournier led (or tied) the team in scoring 19 times, in rebounding once and in assists seven times. He scored in double figures 61 times, had 20+ points 24 times and had 30+ points twice, including a career-high 30 points on Nov. 3 @ New Orleans and Mar. 15 vs. Denver.

Originally selected by Denver in the first round (20th overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft, Fournier has appeared in 251 career NBA regular season games (111 starts) with Denver and Orlando, averaging 11.0 ppg., 2.5 rpg. and 2.0 apg. in 24.5 minpg., while shooting .389 (352-906) from three-point range. He was acquired by the Magic along with the draft rights to Devyn Marble from Denver in exchange for Arron Afflalo on June 26, 2014.

Magic sign D.J. Augustin

This is a bigger and longer deal than Augustin was expected to receive

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard D.J. Augustin (August-teen), General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today. The deal is reportedly a $29 million dollar contract over four years.

“D.J. (Augustin) is a proven veteran that will add leadership, toughness and depth to our backcourt,” said Hennigan. “He is a premier perimeter shooter and we are extremely excited to welcome him to the Magic family.”

Augustin (#14, 6’0”, 183, 11/10/87) played in 62 games with both Oklahoma City and Denver last season, averaging 7.5 ppg., 3.2 apg. and 1.5 rpg. in 19.0 minpg., while shooting .405 (68-168) from three-point range and .805 (103-128) from the free throw line. He led (or tied) the Nuggets in scoring five times and in assists 13 times. Augustin scored in double figures 21 times and had 20+ points four times, including a season-high 26 points on Mar. 2 vs. L.A. Lakers.

Originally selected by Charlotte in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft, Augustin has appeared in 573 career NBA regular season games (170 starts) with Charlotte, Indiana, Toronto, Chicago, Detroit, Oklahoma City and Denver, averaging 9.8 ppg., 4.0 apg. and 1.8 rpg. in 24.2 minpg., while shooting .374 (701-1,872) from three-point range and .867 (1,249-1,440) from the free throw line. He has also played in 28 career NBA playoff contests (one start), averaging 6.5 ppg., 1.6 apg. and 1.0 rpg. in 18.9 minpg.

Magic sign Jeff Green

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent forward Jeff Green. The deal is reportedly just for one year, $15 million.

“Jeff (Green) is a veteran that brings versatility and depth to our frontcourt,” said General Manager Rob Hennigan. “He will provide tremendous leadership to our team, both on and off the floor, and we are extremely excited to welcome him into the Magic family.”

Green (#34, 6’9”, 235, 8/28/86) played in 80 regular season games with both Memphis and the L.A. Clippers last season (41 starts), averaging 11.7 ppg., 4.2 rpg. and 1.7 apg. in 28.2 minpg. He scored in double figures 47 times and had 20+ points 11 times, including a season-high 30 points on Jan. 25 vs. Orlando. Green became the first player in Grizzlies franchise history to record 20+ points off the bench in three consecutive games. He also appeared in six playoff contests (one start), averaging 10.2 ppg., 3.2 rpg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 26.4 minpg.

Originally selected by Boston in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft, Green has appeared in 636 career NBA regular season games (473 starts) with Seattle, Oklahoma City, Boston, Memphis and the L.A. Clippers, averaging 14.0 ppg., 4.9 rpg. and 1.7 apg. in 32.0 minpg. He has also played in 38 career NBA playoff contests (15 starts), averaging 11.0 ppg., 4.1 rpg. and 1.3 apg. in 29.3 minpg.

Magic trade Shabazz Napier to Blazers

The Orlando Magic have acquired cash considerations from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for guard Shabazz Napier, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today.

Napier (6’1”, 175, 7/14/91) played in 55 games with Orlando last season, averaging 3.7 ppg., 1.8 apg. and 1.0 rpg. in 10.9 minpg. He was acquired by the Magic, along with cash considerations, from Miami in exchange for a conditional second round draft pick on July 27, 2015. Originally selected in the first round (24th overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft by Charlotte, Napier has appeared in 106 career NBA regular season games (ten starts) with Miami and Orlando, averaging 4.4 ppg., 2.1 apg. and 1.6 rpg. in 15.2 minpg.

Magic sign Bismack Biyombo

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent center Bismack Biyombo (bis-MOCK bee-OM-bo), General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today. The deal was reported to be 4 years, $72 million.

“Bismack (Biyombo) is a tremendous competitor and athlete who excels on the defensive end of the floor,” said Hennigan. “He proved during the playoffs that he can rebound and protect the rim at an elite level, and he will bring toughness and winning fiber to our frontcourt. We are confident that his best basketball is ahead of him and we’re extremely excited to welcome him to the Orlando Magic family.”

Biyombo (6’9”, 255, 8/28/92) played in all 82 regular season games with Toronto last season (22 starts), averaging 5.5 ppg., a career-high 8.0 rpg. and a team-high 1.62 blkpg. in 22.0 minpg., while shooting .542 (156-288) from the floor. He ranked 13th in the NBA in blocked shots. Biyombo led (or tied) the Raptors in rebounding 32 times. He scored in double figures 17 times, including a career-high 16 points on Mar. 17 @ Indiana. Biyombo had nine double-doubles, recorded 10+ rebounds 23 times and pulled down 20+ rebounds twice, including a career-high and franchise-record 25 rebounds on Mar. 17 @ Indiana. He tied a career-high with seven blocked shots on Dec. 17 @ Charlotte.

During the 2016 NBA Playoffs, Biyombo appeared in all 20 games (10 starts), averaging 6.2 ppg., 9.4 rpg. and a team-high 1.35 blkpg. in 25.3 minpg., helping the Raptors reach the Eastern Conference Finals. He scored in double figures five times and had 10+ rebounds eight times during the postseason, including a franchise-playoff-record and career-playoff-high 26 rebounds in Game #3 of the Eastern Conference Finals vs. Cleveland on May 19.

Originally selected by Sacramento in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft, Biyombo has appeared in 366 career NBA regular season games (158 starts) with Charlotte and Toronto, averaging 4.6 ppg., 6.5 rpg. and 1.57 blkpg. in 21.2 minpg., while shooting .507 (630-1,242) from the floor. He has also played in 23 career NBA playoff contests (11 starts), averaging 5.7 ppg., 8.6 rpg. and 1.26 blkpg. in 24.1 minpg.

Pistons trade Jodie Meeks to Magic

The Detroit Pistons announced today that the team has acquired a 2019 conditional second round pick from the Orlando Magic in exchange for guard Jodie Meeks.

Meeks, 28, signed as a free agent with the Detroit Pistons in 2014. In 63 games with Detroit, he averaged 10.9 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 23.9 minutes. Last season, Meeks suffered a fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his right foot during the second game of the season and only appeared in three games, averaging 7.3 points and 1.7 rebounds in 14.3 minutes. The 6-4 guard averaged 11.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 24.4 minutes in 60 games during the 2014-15 season, but missed the first 22 games after suffering a stress reaction in his lower back during the preseason.

The seven-year veteran has played for Milwaukee, Philadelphia, L.A. Lakers and Detroit and holds career averages of 9.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 24.3 minutes in 418 games.