Category: Orlando Magic Blog

Orlando Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman and General Manager John Hammond have both received contract extensions, CEO Alex Martins announced today.

“Jeff (Weltman) and John (Hammond) have done a tremendous job of building our basketball operations infrastructure, while putting us in position to reach our ultimate goal,” said CEO Alex Martins. “We certainly look forward to exciting days ahead.”

Said Orlando Magic Chairman Dan DeVos, “Our commitment to winning a championship is stronger than ever, while being an invested community partner. We look forward to Jeff and John continuing to lead our basketball operations and assembling teams our fans can be proud of, both on and off the floor.”

Weltman, who brings more than 30 years of experience in basketball operations in the NBA, was named president of basketball operations of the Orlando Magic on May 23, 2017. He is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the team’s basketball operations department.

Since joining Orlando, the Magic advanced to postseason play in back-to-back seasons in 2018-19 and 2019-20 for the first time in eight years (since 2010-11 and 2011-12). During his second season in Orlando (2018-19), the Magic clinched a berth into the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2012 and captured the Southeast Division title, their first since 2009-10.

Hammond was named general manager of the Orlando Magic on May 23, 2017. He begins his fifth season with the Magic, bringing more than 39 years of coaching and administrative experience to Orlando. Hammond came to the Magic after spending nine seasons (2008-17) as general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks.

During Hammond’s 30 years in the NBA, his teams have made 17 postseason appearances, including two seasons with Orlando (2018-19, 2019-20). During the 2018-19 season, the Magic clinched a berth into the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2012 and captured the Southeast Division title. After reaching the playoffs again in 2019-20, it marked the first time in eight years (since 2010-11 and 2011-12) that Orlando advanced to postseason play in back-to-back seasons. President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman served as assistant general manager under Hammond for five seasons (2008-13) and also worked with him in Detroit (2007-08).

Hammond was named general manager of Milwaukee on April 11, 2008 and promptly generated an eight-win improvement in his first season and another 12 during his second, earning the 2009-10 NBA Executive of the Year Award.

The Orlando Magic have signed guard Tim Frazier and forward Freddie Gillespie to second 10-day contracts.

Both players were originally signed to 10-day contracts via hardship exceptions by the NBA on December 21.

Frazier (6’1”, 170, 11/1/90) has played in five games (one start) with Orlando, averaging 4.6 ppg., 3.4 apg. and 1.8 rpg. in 20.0 minpg. Last season (2020-21), he appeared in five games with Memphis, averaging 1.6 ppg., 3.2 apg. and 1.6 rpg. in 12.4 minpg.

Undrafted by an NBA franchise, Frazier has played in 282 career NBA regular season games (82 starts) with Philadelphia, Portland, New Orleans, Washington, Milwaukee, Detroit, Memphis and Orlando, averaging 5.0 ppg., 4.0 apg. and 2.3 rpg. in 17.7 minpg. He has also appeared in 49 career NBA G League regular season games (47 starts), all with Maine, averaging 15.9 ppg., 9.5 apg., 7.4 rpg. and 1.61 stlpg. in 34.7 minpg., while shooting .370 (51-138) from three-point range and .803 (191-238) from the free throw line. Frazier was named the 2014-15 NBA G League Most Valuable Player and NBA G League Rookie of the Year.

Frazier played in 135 career games (113 starts) at Penn State University from 2009-14, averaging 11.4 ppg., 4.7 apg., 3.9 rpg. and 1.45 stlpg. in 30.6 minpg. He finished his collegiate career as the Nittany Lions’ all-time leader in assists with 641. Frazier was named to both the All-Big Ten First Team in Big Ten All-Defensive Team in 2011-12, while leading the conference in assists during both the 2011-12 and 2013-14 campaigns.

Gillespie (6’9”, 245, 6/14/97) has played in five games (one start) with Orlando, averaging 3.0 ppg., 4.6 rpg. and 1.00 blkpg. in 12.9 minpg. He has also played in 12 games (11 starts) this season with Memphis of the NBA G League, averaging 11.4 ppg., 12.2 rpg., 1.0 apg., 2.75 blkpg. and 1.17 stlpg. in 33.2 minpg. At the time of his original signing, he was leading the team in rebounding (T-2nd in NBA G League) and led the entire NBA G League in blocked shots.

Last season (2020-21), Gillespie played in 20 games (two starts) during his rookie campaign with Toronto, averaging 5.6 ppg., 4.9 rpg. and 1.00 blkpg. in 19.6 minpg., while shooting .524 (44-84) from the floor. He has also appeared in 27 career NBA G League regular season games (26 starts), all with Memphis, averaging 10.9 ppg., 11.3 rpg., 1.4 apg., 2.48 blkpg. and 1.22 stlpg. in 30.2 minpg., while shooting .563 (130-231) from the floor.

Gillespie played in 56 career games (41 starts) during two seasons (2018-20) at Baylor University, averaging 7.6 ppg., 6.9 rpg. and 1.68 blkpg. in 23.7 minpg., while shooting .582 (171-294) from the field. He was named Big 12 Most Improved Player in 2019-20, as well as earning All-Big 12 Second Team and All-Big 12 Defensive Team honors. Gillespie began his collegiate career at Carleton College, a NCAA Division III school located in Northfield, Minnesota.

The Orlando Magic have signed guard Hassani Gravett and forward Admiral Schofield to second 10-day contracts, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Both were originally signed to 10-day contracts via hardship exceptions by the NBA on December 17.

Orlando has four players (Mo Bamba, Mychal Mulder, Chuma Okeke and Terrence Ross) currently out due to league Health and Safety Protocols.

Gravett (#12, 6’2”, 190, 7/16/96) has played in five games (two starts) with Orlando, averaging 7.6 ppg., 3.4 rpg. and 2.4 apg. in 24.8 minpg. He has also played and started 12 games this season with Lakeland of the NBA G League, averaging 13.6 ppg., 5.2 rpg., 2.8 apg. and 1.83 stlpg. in 34.5 minpg.

Gravett signed as a free agent with Orlando on Sep. 8, 2021 and played in three preseason games with the Magic, averaging 5.0 ppg. and 1.3 rpg. in 10.2 minpg., before being waived on Oct. 16. He appeared in 12 games during the 2020-21 campaign with MZT Skopje of the Macedonian League, averaging 12.4 ppg., 4.0 rpg., 3.1 apg. and 1.17 stlpg. in 25.4 minpg. Gravett helped MZT Skopje win the 2020-21 Macedonian League championship and the 2021 North Macedonian Basketball Cup.

Gravett has appeared in 54 career NBA G League regular season games (40 starts), all with Lakeland, averaging 12.1 ppg., 4.4 rpg., 3.7 apg. and 1.20 stlpg. in 31.6 minpg., while shooting .364 (95-261) from three-point range.

Gravett played in 97 career games (30 starts) during three seasons (2016-19) at the University of South Carolina, averaging 7.2 ppg., 3.0 rpg. and 2.4 apg. in 23.8 minpg. During the 2018-19 season, he played in 32 games (five starts), averaging 11.4 ppg., 3.8 rpg. and 2.4 apg. in 29.6 minpg., while shooting .399 (65-163) from three-point range and was named SEC Sixth Man of the Year by the conference’s coaches.

Schofield (#25, 6’5”, 240, 3/30/97) has played in five games (one start) with Orlando, averaging 5.8 ppg., 2.6 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 17.2 minpg. He has also played in 12 games (10 starts) this season with Lakeland of the NBA G League, averaging 14.4 ppg., 7.2 rpg. and 1.8 apg. in 33.0 minpg.

Schofield signed as a free agent with Orlando on Sep. 21, 2021. He played in two preseason games with the Magic, averaging 1.5 ppg. in 5.8 minpg., before being waived on Oct. 16. Schofield played in 14 games (11 starts) during the 2020-21 campaign with Greensboro of the NBA G League, averaging 10.1 ppg., 5.7 rpg. and 2.1 apg. in 26.2 minpg.

Originally selected in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft by Philadelphia, Schofield has played in 33 career NBA regular season games (two starts) with Washington, averaging 3.0 ppg. and 1.4 rpg. in 11.2 minpg. He has also appeared in 59 career NBA G League regular season games (54 starts) with Capital City, Greensboro and Lakeland, averaging 14.3 ppg., 5.9 rpg. and 2.0 apg. in 30.2 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.

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard Tim Frazier and free agent forward Freddie Gillespie to 10-day contracts, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Both players were signed via hardship exceptions by the NBA.

Orlando currently has five players (Mo Bamba, Ignas Brazdeikis, R.J. Hampton, Terrence Ross and Moritz Wagner) placed in the league’s Health and Safety Protocols.

Frazier (6’1”, 170, 11/1/90) played in five games last season (2020-21) with Memphis, averaging 1.6 ppg., 3.2 apg. and 1.6 rpg. in 12.4 minpg.

Undrafted by an NBA franchise, Frazier has played in 277 career NBA regular season games (81 starts) with Philadelphia, Portland, New Orleans, Washington, Milwaukee, Detroit and Memphis, averaging 5.0 ppg., 4.0 apg. and 2.3 rpg. in 17.6 minpg. He has also appeared in 49 career NBA G League regular season games (47 starts), all with Maine, averaging 15.9 ppg., 9.5 apg., 7.4 rpg. and 1.61 stlpg. in 34.7 minpg., while shooting .370 (51-138) from three-point range and .803 (191-238) from the free throw line. Frazier was named the 2014-15 NBA G League Most Valuable Player and NBA G League Rookie of the Year.

Frazier played in 135 career games (113 starts) at Penn State University from 2009-14, averaging 11.4 ppg., 4.7 apg., 3.9 rpg. and 1.45 stlpg. in 30.6 minpg. He finished his collegiate career as the Nittany Lions’ all-time leader in assists with 641. Frazier was named to both the All-Big Ten First Team in Big Ten All-Defensive Team in 2011-12, while leading the conference in assists during both the 2011-12 and 2013-14 campaigns.

Frazier will wear #8 with the Orlando Magic.

Gillespie (6’9”, 245, 6/14/97) has played in all 12 games (11 starts) this season with Memphis of the NBA G League, averaging 11.4 ppg., 12.2 rpg., 1.0 apg., 2.75 blkpg. and 1.17 stlpg. in 33.2 minpg. At the time of his signing, he leads the team in rebounding (T-2nd in NBA G League) and leads the entire NBA G League in blocked shots.

Last season, Gillespie played in 20 games (two starts) during his rookie campaign with Toronto, averaging 5.6 ppg., 4.9 rpg. and 1.00 blkpg. in 19.6 minpg., while shooting .524 (44-84) from the floor. He has also appeared in 27 career NBA G League regular season games (26 starts), all with Memphis, averaging 10.9 ppg., 11.3 rpg., 1.4 apg., 2.48 blkpg. and 1.22 stlpg. in 30.2 minpg., while shooting .563 (130-231) from the floor.

Gillespie played in 56 career games (41 starts) during two seasons (2018-20) at Baylor University, averaging 7.6 ppg., 6.9 rpg. and 1.68 blkpg. in 23.7 minpg., while shooting .582 (171-294) from the field. He was named Big 12 Most Improved Player in 2019-20, as well as earning All-Big 12 Second Team and All-Big 12 Defensive Team honors. Gillespie began his collegiate career at Carleton College, a NCAA Division III school located in Northfield, Minnesota.

Gillespie will wear #44 with the Orlando Magic.

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent forward Aleem Ford, free agent guard Hassani Gravett (GRAV-it), free agent guard/forward B.J. Johnson and free agent forward Admiral Schofield to 10-day contracts, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

The four players were signed via hardship exceptions by the NBA. Orlando has five players (Mo Bamba, Ignas Brazdeikis, R.J. Hampton, Terrence Ross and Moritz Wagner) ruled out tonight vs. Miami due to league Health and Safety Protocols.

Ford (6’8”, 220, 12/22/97) has played in 12 games (seven starts) this season with Lakeland of the NBA G League, averaging 9.6 ppg., 4.4 rpg. and 1.3 apg. in 28.1 minpg. Undrafted by an NBA franchise, he played in 126 career games (82 starts) during four seasons at the University of Wisconsin (2017-21), averaging 6.5 ppg. and 3.3 rpg. in 22.5 minpg.

Ford will wear #11 with the Orlando Magic.

Gravett (6’2”, 190, 7/16/96) has played and started all 12 games this season with Lakeland of the NBA G League, averaging 13.6 ppg., 5.2 rpg., 2.8 apg. and 1.83 stlpg. in 34.5 minpg.

Gravett signed as a free agent with Orlando on Sep. 8, 2021 and played in three preseason games with the Magic, averaging 5.0 ppg. and 1.3 rpg. in 10.2 minpg., before being waived on Oct. 16. He appeared in 12 games during the 2020-21 campaign with MZT Skopje of the Macedonian League, averaging 12.4 ppg., 4.0 rpg., 3.1 apg. and 1.17 stlpg. in 25.4 minpg. Gravett helped MZT Skopje win the 2020-21 Macedonian League championship and the 2021 North Macedonian Basketball Cup.

Gravett has appeared in 54 career NBA G League regular season games (40 starts), all with Lakeland, averaging 12.1 ppg., 4.4 rpg., 3.7 apg. and 1.20 stlpg. in 31.6 minpg., while shooting .364 (95-261) from three-point range.

Gravett played in 97 career games (30 starts) during three seasons (2016-19) at the University of South Carolina, averaging 7.2 ppg., 3.0 rpg. and 2.4 apg. in 23.8 minpg. During the 2018-19 season, he played in 32 games (five starts), averaging 11.4 ppg., 3.8 rpg. and 2.4 apg. in 29.6 minpg., while shooting .399 (65-163) from three-point range and was named SEC Sixth Man of the Year by the conference’s coaches.

Gravett will wear #12 with the Orlando Magic.

Johnson (6’7”, 200, 12/21/95) has played and started in 10 games this season with Lakeland of the NBA G League, averaging 24.7 ppg., 7.5 rpg., 1.3 apg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 34.5 minpg. He currently leads Lakeland in both scoring and rebounding.

Johnson signed as a free agent with Orlando on Sep. 8, 2021, but did not appear in any preseason action with the Magic, before being waived on Oct. 16. He played and started in 14 games in 2020-21 with Long Island of the NBA G League, averaging 18.4 ppg., 5.6 rpg., 1.6 apg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 31.1 minpg. Johnson also appeared in 11 games last season with Brisbane of the National Basketball League in Australia, averaging 10.0 ppg. and 3.7 rpg. in 21.5 minpg.

Johnson has played in 17 career NBA games with Atlanta, Sacramento and Orlando, averaging 3.1 ppg. and 1.4 rpg. in 7.8 minpg. He played in 10 games with the Magic during the 2019-20 campaign, averaging 3.0 ppg., and 1.5 rpg. in 8.3 minpg. Johnson has also appeared in 91 career NBA G League regular season games (84 starts) with Lakeland and Long Island, averaging 19.2 ppg., 5.7 rpg., 1.5 apg. and 1.49 stlpg. in 32.4 minpg., while shooting .402 (187-465) from three-point range and .821 (247-301) from the free throw line.

Johnson appeared in 56 career games (55 starts) in two seasons (2016-18) with La Salle University, averaging 19.1 ppg., 7.3 rpg. and 1.21 stlpg. in 33.8 minpg. During his senior campaign with the Explorers (2017-18), he played and started in 27 games, averaging 20.8 ppg., 8.3 rpg. and 1.30 stlpg. in 35.2 minpg., while shooting .869 (126-145) from the free throw line. Johnson was named Second Team All-Atlantic 10 Conference in 2017-18. He also played in 35 career games during two seasons (2013-15) at Syracuse University, averaging 3.4 ppg. and 2.5 rpg. in 12.0 minpg.

Johnson will wear #24 with the Orlando Magic.

Schofield (6’5”, 240, 3/30/97) has played in all 12 games (10 starts) this season with Lakeland of the NBA G League, averaging 14.4 ppg., 7.2 rpg. and 1.8 apg. in 33.0 minpg.

Schofield signed as a free agent with Orlando on Sep. 21, 2021. He played in two preseason games with the Magic, averaging 1.5 ppg. in 5.8 minpg., before being waived on Oct. 16. Schofield played in 14 games (11 starts) during the 2020-21 campaign with Greensboro of the NBA G League, averaging 10.1 ppg., 5.7 rpg. and 2.1 apg. in 26.2 minpg.

Originally selected in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft by Philadelphia, Schofield has played in 33 career NBA regular season games (two starts) with Washington, averaging 3.0 ppg. and 1.4 rpg. in 11.2 minpg. He has also appeared in 59 career NBA G League regular season games (54 starts) with Capital City, Greensboro and Lakeland, averaging 14.3 ppg., 5.9 rpg. and 2.0 apg. in 30.2 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 will wear #25 with the Orlando Magic.

As with all fully rebuilding teams, the Orlando Magic are a team for the future. Here’s the Via the Orlando Sentinel on their latest:

The Orlando Magic found themselves in a familiar position during their 118-116 loss to the Houston Rockets on Friday night.

After trailing by as many as 13 late in the fourth quarter, the Magic (5-19) used a second-half surge similar to their recent loss to the Philadelphia 76ers and win over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday to get back into the game.

The Magic went on a 13-0 run to tie the score at 114 with 47 seconds left, but unlike their game against the Nuggets and more in line with their matchup against the 76ers, they didn’t complete the comeback attempt despite holding the Rockets (6-16) to 4 points over the final 4 1/2 minutes.

“If we would’ve played the whole game like we played the last two minutes, we would’ve won the game by 30,” said Cole Anthony, who had game-highs of 26 points and 7 assists. “That’s personally what I think.”

The Magic are 5-10 this season, which is the second worst record in the Eastern conference, just ahead of the 4-18 Detroit Pistons.

The leading Magic scorers so far in 2021-22 are Anthony at 20.2 points per game, then Franz Wagner at 13.6 ppg and Wendell Carter Jr. at 13.1 ppg.

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard Mychal Mulder to a two-way contract.

Mulder (6’3”, 185, 6/12/94) appeared in 60 games (six starts) last season with Golden State, averaging 5.6 ppg. and 1.0 rpg. in 12.8 minpg., while shooting .397 (85-214) from three-point range. He scored in double figures 13 times and 20+ points three times, including a career-high 28 points on May 14 vs. New Orleans. Mulder was named to the 2021 NBA Rising Starts World Team.

Undrafted by an NBA franchise, Mulder has played in 67 career NBA regular season games (nine starts), all with Golden State, averaging 5.6 ppg. and 1.2 rpg. in 14.5 minpg., while shooting .380 (101-266) from three-point range. He has also played in 134 career NBA G League games (112 starts) with Windy City and Sioux Falls, averaging 13.1 ppg., 4.3 rpg. and 1.6 apg. in 32.3 minpg., while shooting .386 (365-946) from three-point range.

Mulder played in 56 career games (two starts) during two seasons at the University of Kentucky (2015-17), averaging 2.9 ppg. and 1.3 rpg. in 7.6 minpg.

Mulder will wear #2 with the Orlando Magic.

Orlando’s roster now stands at 17 players, including two two-way contracts.

All of you who were thinking of buying Shaq’s house are too late and must seek out a different property. Via the Orlando Sentinel:

After more than three years on the market, Shaquille O’Neal’s Isleworth mansion has finally sold for $11 million, one of the highest prices ever paid for a home in Central Florida.

The basketball legend, who bought the estate for $3.95 million in 1993, didn’t get anywhere near what he initially hoped for, however.

The house at 9927 Giffin Court near Windermere was put on the market in 2018, priced at $28 million. Over the years, that was slashed repeatedly. Most recently, it was listed for $16.5 million.

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

Also today, the team waived center Jeremiah Tilmon. He was signed as a free agent by Orlando on October 7 and did not play in any preseason action.

Cannady (6’1”, 190, 5/21/96) played in three games last season with Orlando, averaging 4.7 ppg. in 4.5 minpg. He originally was signed to a 10-day contract by Orlando on Apr. 6, then released on Apr. 13, before signing a two-way contract on Apr. 16. Cannady suffered an open fracture of his right ankle during the first quarter on Apr. 25 vs. Indiana. He was later waived on May 4.

Prior to his time in Orlando last season, Cannady played in 13 games (nine starts) with Lakeland of the NBA G League, averaging 11.7 ppg., 2.8 rpg. and 2.7 apg. in 25.8 minpg., while shooting .400 (28-70) from three-point range. He played and started in all three playoff outings, averaging 15.7 ppg., 4.7 rpg. and 3.3 apg. in 29.7 minpg., while shooting .450 (9-20) from three-point range. During the 2021 NBA G League Final on Mar. 11 vs. Delaware, Cannady tallied 22 points, six rebounds and four assists and was named G League Final MVP, helping Lakeland capture the 2020-21 NBA G League championship.

Cannady has played in 52 career NBA G League games (38 starts) with Long Island and Lakeland, averaging 13.8 ppg., 3.7 rpg., 2.7 apg. and 1.04 stlpg. in 29.7 minpg., while shooting .365 (141-386) from three-point range and .939 (62-66) from the free throw line.

Cannady played in 104 career games (67 starts) during four seasons at Princeton University (2015-19), averaging 14.6 ppg., 4.1 rpg., 1.6 apg. and 1.09 stlpg. in 31.1 minpg., while shooting .403 (268-665) from three-point range and a school-record .896 (285-318) from the free throw line. He was named Second Team All-Ivy League as a junior in 2017-18 and Honorable Mention All-Ivy League as a sophomore in 2016-17.

Cannady will wear #30 with the Orlando Magic.