InsideHoops.com NBA News

The Orlando Magic have acquired guard DeShawn Stevenson and a future second round draft pick from the Utah Jazz in exchange for guard-forward Gordan Giricek, General Manager John Gabriel announced today.

Stevenson (6’5”, 210, 4/3/81) has played and started in 54 games this season for Utah, averaging 11.4 ppg., 3.3 rpg. and 1.7 apg. in 28.0 minpg. He has led (or tied) the Jazz in scoring eight times, in rebounding once and in assists once. Stevenson has scored in double figures 34 times, including a career-high 24 points on Nov. 1 @ Dallas. He also recorded a career-high 11 rebounds on Jan. 5 vs. Dallas.

“DeShawn (Stevenson) is young, athletic and a fierce competitor,” said Gabriel. “He has grown nicely under the leadership of Jerry Sloan and the Jazz organization, and we look forward to him taking the next step with us. Losing Gordan (Giricek) is tough and we wish him the very best.”

Originally selected by Utah in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2000 NBA Draft out of Washington Union High School (California), Stevenson has appeared in 222 regular season games during his NBA career, all with the Jazz. He has averaged 5.9 ppg., 1.9 rpg. and 1.2 apg. in 16.7 minpg. during his career. Stevenson has also played in five career playoff outings. At 19 years old, he became the youngest player to ever play and start for the Jazz during the 2000-01 season.

Giricek (6’6”, 210, 6/20/77) was acquired by Orlando, along with Drew Gooden and cash considerations, from Memphis in exchange for Mike Miller on Feb. 19, 2003. He appeared in 48 games this season with the Magic (25 starts), averaging 10.2 ppg., 3.4 rpg. and 1.7 apg. in 29.9 minpg. Giricek was originally selected in the second round (41st overall) of the 1999 NBA Draft by Dallas. He has appeared in 124 career games with Memphis and Orlando, averaging 11.5 ppg., 3.2 rpg. and 1.8 apg. in 28.9 minpg.