Orlando Magic Blog – Page 40 – NBA Blog

Kobe Bryant reaction to Dwight Howard trade

The Lakers revamped their roster by acquiring Steve Nash in a sign-and-trade with Phoenix, and with the addition of Howard, the NBA’s most dominant big man who was left off the Olympic roster following back surgery.

“I’ll probably play two or three more years and (after that) the team is his,” Bryant said. “I’m excited for the Lakers franchise. Because this is a guy who can carry the franchise well after I’m gone. So it should be his. He should be willing to accept the challenge.”

Bryant whispered as he spoke to a large group of reporters after the U.S. defeated Argentina for the third time in three weeks. He was trying to play it cool but after expressing disappointment in December when the NBA voided a deal that would have sent Chris Paul to the Lakers, Bryant couldn’t contain his excitement.

“All of a sudden, that gets pulled out from underneath us,” Bryant said of the rejected Paul trade. “Then (the Lakers front office) regroups and they come up with something that’s even better. It’s . . . it’s unprecedented.”

— Reported by Frank Isola of the New York Daily News

Dwight Howard traded to Lakers in 4-team deal; Bynum to 76ers, Iguodala to Nuggets

The Orlando Magic have acquired six players and five future draft picks in a four-team, 12-player trade, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today.

Orlando acquired guard Aaron Afflalo (ah-FLAH-low) and forward Al Harrington from Denver, forward Maurice Harkless and center Nikola Vucevic (KNEE-coal-uh VOOCH-uh-vitch) from Philadelphia, as well as forward Josh McRoberts and guard/forward Christian Eyenga (eye-EN-gah) from the Los Angeles Lakers.

In addition, the Magic have also acquired five additional draft picks over the next five years. Orlando receives: a second round pick from Denver in 2013, a first round pick from either Denver or New York in 2014, a conditional first round pick from Philadelphia and a conditional second round pick from the L.A. Lakers in 2015, and a conditional first round pick from the L.A. Lakers in 2017.

The Magic have traded center Dwight Howard, guard Chris Duhon and forward Earl Clark to the L.A. Lakers, while sending guard Jason Richardson to Philadelphia. As part of the deal, Philadelphia has acquired center Andrew Bynum, while Denver has acquired guard/forward Andre Iguodala.

“A primary goal for our basketball team is to achieve sustainability while maintaining a long-term vision. We feel this deal puts us in a position to begin building in that direction,” said Hennigan. “In addition to the six players joining our team, we will be in a position to maximize our salary cap flexibility in the near future, as well as utilize the multiple draft picks we have acquired going forward.”

“Dwight Howard accomplished tremendous success on and off the court during his eight years in Orlando,” said Hennigan. “We wish him, Chris (Duhon), Earl (Clark) and Jason (Richardson) all the best in the future.”

Afflalo (6’5”, 215, 10/15/85) played and started in 62 games last season with Denver, averaging a career-high 15.2 ppg., 3.2 rpg. and 2.4 apg. in 33.6 minpg. He shot .471 (329-699) from the field, .398 (88-221) from three-point range and .798 (197-247) from the free throw line. Afflalo ranked 24th in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage and 39th in scoring. He led (or tied) the team in scoring 11 times, in rebounding twice and in assists once. Afflalo scored a career-high 32 points on Mar. 5 vs. Sacramento. He also played and started in seven playoff games, averaging 10.9 ppg., 3.6 rpg. and 2.7 apg. in 32.7 minpg.

Harrington (6’9”, 245, 2/17/80) played in 64 games last season (one start) with Denver, averaging 14.2 ppg., 6.1 rpg. and 1.4 apg. in 27.5 minpg. He scored in double figures 53 times, and had 10 games with 20-or-more points, including a season-high 31 points on Feb. 20 vs. Minnesota. Harrington also appeared in seven playoff outings, averaging 9.7 ppg. and 4.3 rpg. in 23.3 minpg.

Harkless (6’8”, 210, 5/11/93) was selected in the first round (15th overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft by Philadelphia. He played and started all 32 games as a freshman last season with St. John’s University, averaging 15.5 ppg., 8.6 rpg., 1.5 apg., 1.59 stlpg. and 1.41 blkpg. Harkless ranked second in the nation in rebounding among freshmen and sixth in scoring. He was named the 2011-12 Big East Conference Rookie of the Year.

Vucevic (7’0”, 240, 10/24/90) played in 51 games (15 starts) during his rookie campaign last season with Philadelphia, averaging 5.5 ppg. and 4.8 rpg. in 15.9 minpg. He ranked among all NBA rookies in rebounding (t-sixth), blocked shots (t-sixth) and field goal percentage (.450, eighth). Vucevic led (or tied) the Sixers in scoring four times and in rebounding nine times. He also played in one playoff outing.

McRoberts (6’10”, 240, 2/28/87) played in 50 games last season (six starts) with the Lakers, averaging 2.8 ppg., 3.4 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 14.4 minpg. He scored a season-high 16 points on Apr. 26 @ Sacramento. McRoberts also played in six playoff contests.

Eyenga (6’5”, 210, 6/22/89) played in seven combined games last season with both Cleveland and the Lakers, averaging 2.4 ppg. and 2.0 rpg. in 14.7 minpg. He was acquired by Los Angeles along with Ramon Sessions in exchange for Luke Walton, Jason Kapono, a future first round pick and other considerations on Mar. 15. Eyenga also played in three playoff contests.

Howard appeared in 621 career regular season games with Orlando from 2004-12, averaging 18.4 ppg., 13.0 rpg., 1.5 apg., 2.16 blkpg. and 1.01 stlpg. in 36.2 minpg. He was named to the All-NBA First Team five times (2007-12), was a six-time NBA All-Star (2007-12) and was the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year for three consecutive seasons (2009-11).

Clark played in 78 regular season games during his two seasons with Orlando (2010-12), averaging 3.3 ppg. and 2.7 rpg. in 12.2 minpg.

Duhon played in 114 regular season games during his two seasons with Orlando (2010-12), averaging 3.2 ppg., 2.4 apg. and 1.4 rpg. in 17.5 minpg.

Richardson played and started in 109 regular season games during his two seasons with Orlando (2010-12), averaging 12.8 ppg., 3.8 rpg., 2.0 apg. and 1.09 stlpg. in 32.2 minpg. He also shot .377 (229-608) from three-point range.

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Lakers have deal to get Dwight Howard; Bynum to 76ers, Iguodala to Nuggets

The Los Angeles Lakers have a deal in place to acquire Dwight Howard from Orlando in a four-team, eight-player trade also involving Denver and Philadelphia, and the NBA has scheduled a conference call Friday with the four general managers to finish the deal, according to multiple reports…

Philadelphia would get Andrew Bynum from Los Angeles and Jason Richardson from Orlando, while Denver would get Andre Iguodala from the 76ers.

Orlando would receive Arron Afflalo and Al Harrington from Denver, Nikola Vucevic and Moe Harkless from Philadelphia, and lottery protected first-round picks from each of the three teams.

— Reported by the Associated Press

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Magic sign second round pick Kyle O’Quinn

The Orlando Magic have signed rookie forward Kyle O’Quinn, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today.

O’Quinn was selected in the second round (49th overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft. He averaged 8.8 ppg. and 6.2 rpg. in 21.4 minpg. during last month’s AirTran Airways Orlando Pro Summer League.

O’Quinn (#9, 6’10”, 240, 3/26/90) appeared in 129 career games at Norfolk State University, averaging 12.5 ppg., 8.5 rpg. and 2.2 blkpg. in 27.3 minpg. and shot .553 (610-1,104) from the field during his collegiate career. He was the 2012 Lou Henson recipient as the nation’s top mid-major player. O’Quinn was the 2011-12 MEAC Player of the Year and a two-time MEAC Defensive Player of the Year (2010-11, 2011-12). He was also named MVP of the 2012 Portsmouth Invitational, averaging 11.7 ppg., 11.7 rpg. and 3.7 blkpg. in three games.

As a senior (2011-12), O’Quinn played in 36 games, averaging 15.9 ppg., 10.3 rpg., 1.4 apg. and 2.7 blkpg. in 31.3 minpg. He helped the #15-seed Spartans to a historic upset of #2-seed Missouri in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament with 26 points and 14 rebounds. O’Quinn, an All-MEAC First Team selection and MVP of the 2012 MEAC Tournament, led the conference and tied for fifth in the nation with 20 double-doubles. He also ranked 14th in the country in field goal percentage (.573, 205-358), 15th in blocked shots and 16th in rebounding.

During his junior year (2010-11), O’Quinn appeared in 32 games, averaging 16.4 ppg., 11.1 rpg. and 3.44 blkpg. in 32.8 minpg. He ranked in the top 10 in the nation in blocked shots (fourth), rebounds (fifth) and double-doubles (eighth, 19). O’Quinn led the MEAC in blocked shots and rebounding, while ranking second in field goal percentage (.556) and fifth in scoring. He set single-season school records (Division I era) with 110 blocked shots and 355 rebounds. O’Quinn was named MEAC Player of the Week and Defensive Player of the Week four times, and was voted to the MEAC All-Tournament Team.

As a sophomore (2009-10), O’Quinn appeared in 30 games, averaging 11.5 ppg., 8.7 rpg. and 1.7 blkpg. in 28.3 minpg., while shooting a conference-best .549 from the floor. He was named to the All-MEAC Second Team. During his freshman season (2008-09), he averaged 5.3 ppg. and 3.4 rpg. in 16.2 minpg.

Dwight Howard will reportedly not attend his own youth basketball camp in Orlando

According to an official at his annual basketball day camp for children, Dwight Howard will not attend this year, and families who paid the camp’s $199 registration fee were sent e-mail messages Monday to inform them Howard will remain in Southern California in order to continue rehabilitating his back.

Originally, Howard was scheduled to be back in Orlando a few days after having out-patient back surgery, but he hasn’t been seen by the Magic in Orlando in more than three months. He has, however, attended at least two Los Angeles Dodgers games and a portion of the adidas Nations basketball tournament in L.A.

Howard’s annual camp originally was scheduled for July 1-2 at UCF, and Howard was supposed to attend both days. But it was postponed and rescheduled for Aug. 13-14 at Orlando Volleyball Academy.

— Reported by Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel (Blog)

Oklahoma City Thunder sign Daniel Orton

The Oklahoma City Thunder signed forward Daniel Orton to a contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Orton (6-10, 255 pounds) appeared in 16 games (two starts) during the 2011-12 season as a member of the Orlando Magic and recorded averages of 2.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in 11.7 minutes per contest.

After attending Bishop McGuiness High School in Oklahoma City, Orton spent one year at the University of Kentucky where he averaged 3.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.40 blocks during his freshman season.

New Magic coach Jacque Vaughn discusses his coaching style

“I don’t think I’ll pigeonhole myself into a certain style,” he answered. “I’ve been kind of inclusive about the different styles I’ve played against. Coach [Jerry] Sloan had a style that he used for 20 years. Pop [Gregg Popovich] has been extremely innovative. I watch the game of basketball internationally, and I love some of the things that they do.

“For me, it’s about putting guys in a position to make plays. I will not call a play every single time down the floor. My demeanor on the sideline is more calm, not garish at all, and I think players will be receptive to that and want to play. As long as I can teach them, and they’re receptive to teaching, then I’ll let them make plays.”

— Reported by Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic name Jacque Vaughn head coach

Orlando Magic name Jacque Vaughn new head coach

Jacque Vaughn, who spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs and was a member of their 2006-07 NBA World Championship team as a player, has been named head coach, Orlando Magic General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today. Vaughn becomes the tenth head coach in franchise history.

“We are beyond excited to name Jacque Vaughn as our head coach,” Hennigan said. “As we navigated through our coaching search, we quickly saw that Jacque’s spirit and leadership strengths made him the clear choice. We are confident that his diligence, attention to detail and communication style will help establish the bedrock of our culture moving forward. His commitment and passion to building a sustainable program will help steer our organization for years to come.”

According to the Deseret News, “Most league insiders regard Vaughn as bright, hard-working and organized. But, at the same time, those same insiders note that Vaughn brings just two seasons of coaching experience. He ended his 12-year NBA playing career in 2009. A year later, the Spurs hired him as an assistant coach. In San Antonio, Vaughn had the same duties as fellow assistant coaches Mike Budenholzer, Don Newman and Brett Brown. They scouted future opponents, helped run practices and had other responsibilities. Still, league rules allow only three assistant coaches on the bench during games, and Budenholzer, Newman and Brown — all longer-tenured — occupied those seats. Meanwhile, Vaughn sat directly behind the bench.”

During Vaughn’s two seasons on San Antonio’s staff, the Spurs compiled a regular season record of 111-37 (.750).

Vaughn was originally selected in the first round (27th overall) of the 1997 NBA Draft by Utah. He played 12 years in the NBA from 1997-2009 with Utah, Atlanta, Orlando, New Jersey and San Antonio, averaging 4.5 ppg. and 2.5 apg. in 776 career regular season games.

Vaughn played 80 games (48 starts) with the Orlando Magic during the 2002-03 season, averaging 5.9 ppg., 2.9 apg. and 1.5 rpg. in 21.1 minpg.

As a collegian, Vaughn played four years at Kansas University. He was named Second Team All-America during both his junior (1995-96) and senior (1996-97) campaigns by The Associated Press. Vaughn concluded his collegiate career as the school’s all-time leader in assists with 804. He was named the Big Eight Conference Player of the Year in 1996 and the Newcomer of the Year in 1994.

Vaughn also excelled off the court, being named a two-time First Team GTE Academic All-American and the 1996-97 GTE Team Member of the Year, signifying him as the top student-athlete among Division I basketball players, after posting a 3.72 GPA. He earned his degree in business administration while at KU.

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Orlando Magic coaching search: Jacque Vaughn may be favorite

The Orlando Magic’s search for a new head coach is entering its final phase.

San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Jacque Vaughn, widely presumed to be front-runner for the job, met with Magic CEO Alex Martins on Friday in Las Vegas for a second-round interview.

“We’re not going to comment on the process and where it stands,” Martins told the Orlando Sentinel on Saturday…

Magic general manager Rob Hennigan conducted first-round interviews with six candidates and whittled the field down to three: Philadelphia 76ers associate head coach Michael Curry, Phoenix Suns player development coach Lindsey Hunter and Vaughn.

— Reported by Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel

If traded to L.A., Dwight Howard now open to signing extension with Lakers

Dwight Howard open to signing extension with Lakers

Dwight Howard’s camp is leaking to the media that he’s now open to signing an extension with the Lakers, clearing a small hurdle on the path to a deal that always seemed to make the most sense.

Whether or not Howard will land in Los Angeles with Kobe Bryant – thereby killing Brooklyn’s aspiration of acquiring the All-Star center by February’s trade deadline – is still up to Orlando, which is in no rush. Howard had previously stated he’d only sign an extension with the Nets.

Magic GM Rob Hennigan is hesitant about the Lakers’ main trade chip, Andrew Bynum, because of a history of injuries and, most importantly, his contract expires after next season. The Magic don’t want to deal Howard for a one-season Bynum rental, so other teams are reportedly being recruited into joining a potential three-team blockbuster.

— Reported by Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News