Orlando Magic Blog – Page 5 – NBA Blog

Orlando Magic convert contract of Admiral Schofield into standard NBA contract

The Orlando Magic have converted the contract of forward Admiral Schofield to a standard NBA contract, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Schofield (6’5”, 240, 3/30/97) signed as a free agent to a two-way contract by Orlando on July 22, 2022. He has played in 27 games this season, averaging 4.6 ppg. and 1.9 rpg. in 13.0 minpg. He also played in two games (one start) with Lakeland of the NBA G League during the NBA G League Winter Showcase, averaging 13.0 ppg., 2.5 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 24.2 minpg. Schofield has scored in double figures three times, including a season-high 13 points on December 3 @ Toronto and December 18 @ Boston.

Originally selected in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft by Philadelphia, Schofield has played in 98 career NBA regular season games (three starts) with Washington and Orlando, averaging 3.8 ppg. and 1.9 rpg. in 12.1 minpg. He has also appeared in 53 career NBA G League regular season games (50 starts) with Capital City, Greensboro and Lakeland, averaging 14.8 ppg., 5.8 rpg. and 2.3 apg. in 29.5 minpg.

Schofield played in 132 career games (94 starts) during four seasons at the University of Tennessee (2015-19), averaging 11.9 ppg., 5.3 rpg. and 1.3 apg. in 24.9 minpg., while shooting .387 (184-476) from three-point range. As a senior (2018-19), he played and started in 37 games, averaging 16.5 ppg., 6.1 rpg. and 2.0 apg. in 31.7 minpg., while shooting .418 (74-177) from three-point range. He was named to the All-SEC First Team by the conference coaches, earned All-SEC Tournament Team honors and was also an honorable mention All-American by Associated Press. As a junior (2017-18), Schofield was named to the All-SEC Second Team by the conference coaches and earned All-SEC Tournament Team honors.

Schofield wears #25 for the Orlando Magic.

Orlando Magic waive R.J. Hampton

The Orlando Magic have waived guard R.J. Hampton, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Upon clearing waivers, Hampton will become a free agent.

Hampton (6’6”, 190, 2/7/01) has played in 26 games this season with Orlando, averaging 5.7 ppg., 1.5 rpg. and 1.3 apg. in 13.9 minpg., while shooting .838 (31-37) from the free throw line. He scored in double figures eight times, including a season-high 15 points on Oct. 30 @ Dallas and Nov. 3 vs. Golden State.

Originally selected in the first round (24th overall) of the 2020 NBA Draft by Milwaukee, Hampton has played in 141 career NBA regular season games (15 starts) with Denver and Orlando, averaging 7.0 ppg., 2.9 rpg. and 2.0 apg. in 18.8 minpg. He was acquired by the Magic from Denver, along with Gary Harris and a future first round draft pick, in exchange for Gary Clark and Aaron Gordon on Mar. 25, 2021.

Hampton appeared in 116 career games (15 starts) with the Magic, averaging 8.0 ppg., 3.1 rpg. and 2.3 apg. in 20.8 minpg.

Magic sign Goga Bitadze

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent center Goga Bitadze.

Bitadze (6’11”, 230, 7/20/99) has played in 21 games this season with Indiana, averaging 3.3 ppg. and 2.3 rpg. in 9.6 minpg., while shooting .519 (27-52) from the floor. He led (or tied) the Pacers in rebounding once. Bitadze has scored in double figures once and had one double-double – a season-high 14 points and a career-high 15 rebounds on Oct. 22 vs. Detroit.

Originally selected in the first round (18th overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft by Indiana, Bitadze has played in 170 career NBA regular season games (21 starts), all with the Pacers, averaging 4.8 ppg. and 2.8 rpg. in 11.5 minpg.

A native of Georgia, Bitadze has been playing against professional competition since he was 16 years old. Prior to being drafted by Indiana in 2019, he spent his international career playing in Georgia, Serbia and Montenegro. Bitadze has been a member of the Georgian National Team.

Bitadze will wear #35 with the Orlando Magic.

Magic waive Terrence Ross

The Orlando Magic have waived guard Terrence Ross, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Assuming he clears waivers, Ross will become a free agent.

“We want to thank Terrence (Ross) for all of his contributions during his time here in Orlando,” said Weltman. “We truly appreciate his professionalism and veteran leadership. We are excited this agreement will give him an outstanding opportunity, and we wish he and his family all the best.”

Ross (6’7”, 205, 2/7/01) has played in 42 games (nine starts) this season with Orlando, averaging 8.0 ppg., 2.0 rpg. and 1.3 apg. in 22.5 minpg. He scored in double figures 12 times and 20+ points twice, including a season-high 29 points on Oct. 22 vs. Boston.

Originally selected in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft by Toronto, Ross has played in 712 career NBA regular season games (187 starts) with Toronto and Orlando, averaging 11.0 ppg., 2.8 rpg. and 1.3 apg. in 24.7 minpg. He was acquired by the Magic from Toronto, along with a future first round draft pick, in exchange for Serge Ibaka on Feb. 14, 2017.

Ross appeared in 349 career games (55 starts) with the Magic, averaging 12.7 ppg., 3.0 rpg. and 1.7 apg. in 26.1 minpg. He ranks sixth on both Orlando’s all-time three-pointers made list with 697 and three-pointers attempted list with 1,986.

Magic waive Patrick Beverley

The Orlando Magic have waived guard Patrick Beverley, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Assuming he clears waivers, Beverley will become a free agent.

Beverley (6’2”, 180, 7/12/88) was acquired from the L.A. Lakers along with cash considerations, as well as a future second draft pick from Denver, as part of a four-team trade on Feb. 9. He has played and started in 45 games this season with the L.A. Lakers, averaging 6.4 ppg., 3.1 rpg. and 2.6 apg. in 26.9 minpg. Beverley did not appear in any games with Orlando.

Magic, Lakers, Nuggets and Clippers complete 4-team trade

The Orlando Magic have acquired guard Patrick Beverley and cash considerations from the Los Angeles Lakers, as well as a future second round draft pick (2024 selection) from the Denver Nuggets, as part of a four-team trade also involving the L.A. Clippers, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today. Orlando sends center Mo Bamba to the L.A. Lakers as part of the deal.

The Magic are not requiring Patrick Beverley to report.

Other details of the trade are as follows: Denver acquires Thomas Bryant from the L.A. Lakers, the L.A. Clippers acquire Bones Hyland from Denver, and the L.A. Lakers acquire Bamba from Orlando, Davon Reed from Denver, as well as two future second round draft picks (2024 and 2025 selections) from the L.A. Clippers.

Bamba (7’0”, 230, 5/12/98) has played in 40 games (six starts) this season with Orlando, averaging 7.3 ppg., 4.6 rpg. and 1.1 apg. in 17.0 minpg., while shooting .398 (43-108) from three-point range. He ranks 29th in the NBA in blocked shots (0.95 blkpg.).

Originally selected in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2018 NBA Draft by Orlando, Bamba has played in 266 career NBA regular season games (81 starts), all with the Magic, averaging 7.7 ppg., 5.8 rpg. and 1.37 blkpg. in 18.3 minpg.

Beverley (6’2”, 180, 7/12/88) has played and started in 45 games this season with the L.A. Lakers, averaging 6.4 ppg., 3.1 rpg. and 2.6 apg. in 26.9 minpg. He scored in double figures nine times, including a season-high 18 points on Jan. 25 @ San Antonio.

Originally selected in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2009 NBA Draft by the L.A. Lakers, Beverley has played in 571 career NBA regular season games (483 starts) with Houston, the L.A. Clippers, Minnesota and the L.A. Lakers, averaging 8.7 ppg., 4.2 rpg., 3.4 apg. and 1.12 stlpg. in 27.4 minpg.

Mo Bamba, Austin Rivers and Jalen Suggs suspended for roles in Magic-Timberwolves altercation

Orlando Magic center Mo Bamba has been suspended four games without pay and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Austin Rivers has been suspended three games without pay for their roles in an on-court altercation, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.

In addition, Magic guard Jalen Suggs has been suspended one game without pay for escalating the altercation by aggressively grabbing Rivers around the neck and pulling him to the floor.

Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels has been fined $20,000 for his role in the altercation which included running into the scrum and pushing Bamba in the back.

The incident, for which all four players received technical fouls and were ejected, occurred with 1:32 remaining in the third quarter of the Magic’s 127-120 win over the Timberwolves on Feb. 3 at Target Center.

Bamba and Rivers engaged in an altercation in front of the Magic bench, with both players throwing punches. Suggs and McDaniels then entered the altercation as non-peacemakers, which resulted in a continued escalation of the situation.

Following the incident, Bamba attempted to continue to engage with Rivers in a hostile manner in the corridor outside the locker rooms where he also aggressively shoved a security representative. Both Bamba and Rivers continued the escalation on social media following the game.

Bamba will begin serving his four-game suspension and Suggs will serve his one-game suspension on Sunday, Feb. 5 when the Magic visit the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Rivers will begin serving his three-game suspension on Sunday, Feb. 5 when the Timberwolves host the Denver Nuggets at Target Center.

Jonathan Isaac set to make long-awaited return for Orlando Magic

Via the Orlando Sentinel:

After over 2 1/2 years away from an NBA floor, Jonathan Isaac could make his return to the Orlando Magic tomorrow.

The Magic are going to list Jonathan Isaac as questionable for Monday’s home game vs. the Celtics, league sources told the Orlando Sentinel Sunday afternoon.

Isaac was drafted 6th in 2017, and averaged 5.4 points per game for the Magic as a rookie, 9.6 PPG in year two, and in 2019-20 was averaging 11.9 PPG and 6.8 RPG before suffering a major knee injury.

Magic forward Paolo Banchero named NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of Month for Dec. 2022

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero has been named the NBA’s Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for December 2022.

Banchero becomes the ninth player in franchise history to be named the league’s Rookie of the Month, joining Dennis Scott, Shaquille O’Neal (four times), Anfernee Hardaway (twice), Mike Miller (twice), Victor Oladipo (twice), Elfrid Payton, R.J. Hampton and Franz Wagner.

Banchero (6’10”, 255, 11/12/02) played and started in 15 games during December, averaging 19.1 ppg., 6.5 rpg., 4.1 apg. and 1.07 stlpg. in 33.5 minpg. He led all NBA rookies in scoring and minutes played, while ranking second in assists. Banchero scored 20+ points in seven consecutive games from Dec. 5-18, tying the longest streak by a rookie in franchise history (O’Neal, Feb. 11-26, 1993).

Selected in the first round (first overall) of the 2022 NBA Draft, Banchero has played and started in 30 games this season with Orlando, averaging a team-high 20.9 ppg., 6.7 rpg. and 3.9 apg. in 34.1 minpg. He ranks among all NBA leaders in scoring (33rd) and minutes played (T-36th). Banchero leads all NBA rookies in scoring and minutes played, while also ranking among leaders in rebounding (3rd), assists (2nd), FG percentage (8th, .435), free throw percentage (6th, .755), steals (5th) and blocked shots (6th). He has scored 20+ points 21 times this season, the most of any NBA rookie.

Magic forward Chuma Okeke undergoes surgery

Orlando Magic forward Chuma Okeke has undergone an arthroscopic surgical procedure on his left knee.

A chondroplasty was performed and he will be re-evaluated in four weeks.

Okeke (6’8”, 230, 8/18/98) has played in 18 games (seven starts) this season with Orlando, averaging 5.4 ppg., 4.2 rpg. and 1.4 apg. in 21.8 minpg. He has missed the last 14 games (Nov. 25-Dec. 19) due to left knee soreness.

Originally selected in the first round (16th overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft by Orlando, Okeke has appeared in 133 career NBA regular season games (46 starts), all with the Magic, averaging 7.9 ppg., 4.5 rpg., 1.8 apg. and 1.17 stlpg. in 24.6 minpg., while shooting .802 (101-126) from the free throw line.