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Hedo Turkoglu has retired from NBA

Hedo Turkoglu has retired from NBA

Forward Hedo Turkoglu, who played 15 seasons in the NBA and eight with the Orlando Magic, has announced his retirement yesterday. Turkoglu will be honored and recognized by the Magic during a special ceremony on Friday, December 18, when Orlando hosts Portland at Amway Center (7 p.m. start).

“I am very thankful and grateful for the opportunity to live out my dream and play in the NBA,” said Turkoglu. “I will always remember my teammates, coaches, staff members and all of the fans who made my career so wonderful for myself and my family.”

Turkoglu played in 497 regular season games (412 starts) with Orlando from 2004-09 and 2010-13, averaging 14.5 ppg., 4.5 rpg. and 3.9 apg. in 32.7 minpg., while shooting .379 (794-2,005) from three-point range and .805 (1,402-1,741) from the free throw line. He also appeared and started in 49 playoff games with the Magic, averaging 14.4 ppg., 4.5 rpg. and 4.5 apg. in 38.0 minpg.

Turkoglu earned the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award in 2007-08 and helped Orlando reach the 2009 NBA Finals. He ranks on the Magic’s all-time list in nearly every statistical category, including minutes played (fourth, 16,233), three-point field goals made (fourth, 794), points scored (sixth, 7,216), games played (sixth, 497), free throws made (sixth, 1,402), rebounds (2,221) and assists (sixth, 1,927).

Originally selected by Sacramento in the first round (16th overall) of the 2000 NBA Draft, Turkoglu appeared in 997 regular season games (571 starts) during his 15-year NBA career with Sacramento, San Antonio, Orlando, Toronto, Phoenix and the L.A. Clippers, averaging 11.1 ppg., 4.0 rpg. and 2.8 apg. in 26.8 minpg., while shooting .384 (1,246-3,246) from three-point range. He has also appeared in 109 career playoff outings (72 starts), averaging 9.7 ppg., 3.8 rpg. and 2.6 apg. in 27.4 minpg.

Orlando Magic notes, Nov. 9, 2015

Below are team notes on the 3-4 Orlando Magic

Orlando kicks off a four-game week tonight when they take on the Indiana Pacers at 7 p.m. at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. On November 11, the Magic will host the Los Angeles Lakers, and on Friday, November 13, the Magic will take on the Utah Jazz at home before ending the week at the Washington Wizards Saturday (7 p.m.). All games are broadcast exclusive locally on FOX Sports Florida.

Evan Fournier is coming off a career week with the Orlando Magic. On Nov. 3, Fournier scored a career-high 30 points and hit a pair of 3-pointers in the final 1:13 of the game to lift Orlando to its first victory of the season over the New Orleans Pelicans. On Nov. 4, he had another 20+ scoring performance, adding 29 points, including two free throws with 1.1 seconds left in regulation to send the Magic to overtime against the Houston Rockets. Fournier finished the week as the leading scorer for the Magic, averaging 21.8 ppg. over the four-game stretch.

From the floor, the Magic are holding opponents to .410 (256-of-625 FG), which ranks fourth in the NBA (as of Nov. 8). In addition, Orlando is holding the opposition to shoot .292 (61-of-209) from beyond the three-point arc, which ranks sixth in the league (as of Nov.8).

The Orlando Magic are averaging 6.71 blkg. (47 blocked shots) this season, which ranks second in the NBA (as of Nov.8).

Orlando went 3-1 last week, including wins over the New Orleans Pelicans, Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers. The Magic notched their first win of the season (103-94) on Nov. 3 on the road against the Pelicans, and then took the Houston Rockets to overtime before falling, 114-119. Following a home win on Nov. 6 against the previously unbeaten Toronto Raptors (92-87), the Magic defeated Philadelphia, 105-97, at Wells Fargo Center.

Dewayne Dedmon to start tonight for Magic

Here’s the Orlando Sentinel with an update on tonight’s Magic lineup:

Dewayne Dedmon to start tonight for Magic

Dewayne Dedmon started six games during the 2013-14 season and 15 more games last season, so moving into the Orlando Magic’s starting lineup tonight against the Toronto Raptors won’t be new to him.

Still, now that a right-knee bone bruise will prevent Nik Vucevic at least from playing tonight, Dedmon wants to show how much he’s grown since he last started on April 11, 2015.

“It’s definitely an opportunity,” Dedmon said. “I definitely don’t want it to come like this, with the big fella going down. But you’ve just got to take it in stride. You hope he gets back as soon as possible, but it’s definitely an opportunity for me to showcase a little bit.”

Magic exercise contract options on Aaron Gordon, Shabazz Napier, Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo

The Orlando Magic have exercised their third-year team options on forward Aaron Gordon, guard Shabazz Napier, and guard Elfrid Payton, while also exercising their fourth-year team option on guard Victor Oladipo, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today.

All four players are now signed through the 2016-17 season.

Gordon (6’9”, 220, 9/16/95) played in 47 games (eight starts) last season with the Magic, averaging 5.2 ppg. and 3.6 rpg. in 17.0 minpg. He ranked among all NBA rookies in rebounding (11th) and blocked shots (8th). Gordon was originally selected by Orlando in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft.

Napier (6’1”, 175, 7/14/91) appeared in 51 games (ten starts) last season with Miami, averaging 5.1 ppg., 2.5 apg. and 2.2 rpg. in 19.8 minpg., while shooting .364 (43-118) from three-point range. He ranked among all NBA rookies in three-point field goal percentage (3rd) and assists (7th). Napier was originally selected by Charlotte in the first round (24th overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft. He was acquired by Orlando along with cash considerations in exchange for a conditional second round draft pick on July 27, 2015.

Payton (6’4”, 185, 2/22/94) played in all 82 games (63 starts) last season with the Magic, averaging 8.9 ppg., a team-high 6.5 apg., 4.3 rpg. and a team-high 1.73 stlpg. in 30.3 minpg., while compiling an assists-to-turnover ratio of 2.63 (533/203). He was named to the 2014-15 NBA All-Rookie First Team and finished fourth in voting for NBA Rookie of the Year. Payton ranked 13th in the NBA in steals, 14th in assists and 16th in assists-to-turnover ratio. He also among all NBA rookies in scoring (8th), rebounding (T-8th), assists (1st), field goal percentage (7th), steals (2nd) and minutes played (4th). Payton was originally selected by Philadelphia in the first round (10th overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft. He was acquired by Orlando in exchange for the draft rights to Dario Saric, a future first round draft pick and a future second round draft pick on June 26, 2014.

Oladipo (6’4”, 210, 5/4/92) played in 72 games (71 starts) last season with the Magic, averaging 17.9 ppg., 4.2 rpg., 4.1 apg. and 1.67 stlpg. in a team-high 35.7 minpg., while shooting a team-best .819 (262-320) from the free throw line. He was tied for eighth in the NBA in minutes played, ranked 16th in steals, 21st in scoring and tied for 36th in assists. Oladipo has appeared in 152 regular season games during his NBA career, all with Orlando, averaging 15.8 ppg., 4.2 rpg., 4.1 apg. and 1.64 stlpg. in 33.3 minpg. He was originally selected by Orlando in the first round (second overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft and was named to the 2013-14 NBA All-Rookie First Team.

Magic waive Nnanna Egwu

The Orlando Magic have waived center Nnanna Egwu (EGG-woo), General Manager Rob Hennigan announced following Friday’s preseason game. Orlando’s roster now stands at 14.

Egwu appeared in five preseason games with the Magic, averaging 1.2 ppg. and 3.2 rpg. in 8.4 minpg.

Orlando begins the 2015-16 regular season on Wednesday, October 28 at home against Washington (7 p.m.).

Magic waive Greg Stiemsma

The Orlando Magic have waived center Greg Stiemsma (STEAM-smuh), General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today. Orlando’s roster now stands at 15.

Stiemsma appeared in two preseason games with the Magic, averaging 1.5 rpg. in 8.3 minpg.

Orlando begins the 2015-16 regular season on Wednesday, October 28 at home against Washington (7 p.m.).

Magic waive Melvin Ejim

The Orlando Magic have waived forward Melvin Ejim (EDGE-um), General Manager Rob Hennigan announced following tonight’s preseason game.

Orlando’s roster now stands at 16.

Ejim appeared in four preseason games with the Magic, averaging 3.5 ppg. and 2.3 rpg. in 8.0 minpg.

Orlando begins the 2015-16 regular season on Wednesday, October 28 at home against Washington (7 p.m.).

Magic paying big money to Tobias Harris

Magic paying big money to Tobias Harris

Here’s the Orlando Sentinel reporting on a talented young Magic player who now has a lot of pressure on his shoulders to earn his much bigger salary:

Magic paying big money to Tobias Harris

Tobias Harris checks in at a svelte 235 pounds, not counting, of course, the extra weight he’s carrying.

It’s quite a load.

He’s put on an additional $64 million.

Harris and the Magic can only hope it doesn’t show this season.

A huge four-year contract has made Tobias the team’s highest-paid player, surpassing Nik Vucevic’s deal.

This is all new for Harris at 23. He says all that money won’t affect him. He says he doesn’t see himself “pressing” to try to justify the count and the amount.

“It doesn’t change me or my game. I don’t play the game just for the paycheck. I play for the love and the love of winning,” Harris told me. “When I signed my deal, the next day I was back in the gym, working just as hard. It’s no time to go out and celebrate crazy. I’m blessed enough to be in this position.

“It drives me. It just shows me if you want another one, you have to work twice as hard.”