Within a piece on Kevin Murphy‘s quest for a roster spot, Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel notes that Magic officials likely want to open the season with 14 players instead of the maximum 15, to maintain some flexibility. Still, if the team decides to carry a 15th man with a non-guaranteed contract, that player could be cut any time before January 10 and Orlando wouldn’t be on the hook for his full salary. As Robbins notes, Jodie Meeks‘ absence could help improve Murphy’s chances of earning a roster spot for the Magic.
Here’s more from out of the Southeast:
- In another story for The Sentinel, Robbins notes that Serge Ibaka showed signs in his Magic debut on Wednesday of why the team traded for him. Meanwhile, new Orlando head coach Frank Vogel believes the frontcourt additions the team made this summer, including Ibaka, will benefit Elfrid Payton, as John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com details.
- The Hawks announced earlier this week that big man Tiago Splitter is expected to miss at least four weeks of action due to a hamstring injury, but Splitter’s status shouldn’t have an impact on how the team’s final roster is determined, per head coach Mike Budenholzer (Twitter link via Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution).
- After spending two seasons in Milwaukee, Johnny O’Bryant talks to Ava Wallace of The Washington Post about making the transition to Washington, where he’s battling to earn a roster spot with the Wizards.