As Magic prepare for the league restart, the franchise is taking difficult steps due to the COVID-19 related drop in revenue. It has laid off 31 full-time employees, approximately 10% of its staff, according to The Athletic’s Josh Robbins and Shams Charania. The Magic had 10 regular-season home games remaining, as well as potential playoff games, prior to the stoppage of play in March.
“This is not the fault of any specific individual that we must part with today, this decision is purely about becoming more efficient in a post COVID-19 environment, and the requirement to be more efficient in this unknown future that we find ourselves faced with,” Magic CEO Alex Martins said in part in a prepared statement.
Here’s more from out of the Southeast:
- Having been in and out of the rotation prior to the NBA’s hiatus, Gary Clark is hoping to prove this summer that he can be a dependable contributor for the Magic, as Chris Hays of The Orlando Sentinel writes. “I think my role there and now is just being a reliable player,” Clark said. “At the end of the day, put Gary on the court, he’s going to hold defensive presence and he’s going to be able to let our offensive flow (be) smooth out there.”
- Wizards big man Thomas Bryant returned to practice over the weekend after recovering from the coronavirus, according to Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington. Bryant traveled to Orlando on Wednesday, about a week after the bulk of the team arrived. Bryant said on Sunday night he’s doing fine, Hughes reports in a separate story. “Me being sick, that’s in the past,” he said. “My focus right now is just with the team and going forward trying to win some games.”
- FSU wing Devin Vassell is the 16th-rated prospect on ESPN’s 2020 big board, but Chris Kirschner of The Athletic contends that Vassell is a player the Hawks should seriously consider if they end up drafting in the No. 5-7 range this fall.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
Vassell will be top 10 pick
Cole Anthony will be around 20th pick
If I were a hawk I would trade up to get Edwards
I would love to see Gary Clark re-sign with Houston during the offseason.
Vassell is a nice player. Nice 2way player. Who can shoot. He’s been moving up on most boards. Definitely a lottery pick.
I’ve had him for GSW when he was lower-ranked a while back… I doubt Myers will be gunning for a big trade involving their first.
They can be more sure of getting the right center by scouting pros.
I doubt Myers thinks he can win any title with any backup PG.
This draft is taking forever.
If the Wizards are serious about building around Bradley Beal they need to bring in someone young to help him.
I know it’s unlikely but the player I believe under the most pressure when the season resumes will be Ben Simmons. He’s moved from point guard to peer forward and their projected starting 5 haven’t played together all season so it’s definitely a hard situation. Ben already isn’t a fan favourite because of his lack of wanting to shoot threes, if he and Joel underperform again there will be even more talk about splitting the two and getting a natural point guard.
How about Ben Simmons, Al Horford, Korkmaz for John Wall, Rui Hachimura, this years first (top 10) and another future first.
Wizards get to pair Bradley Beal who averaged 30 points per game, the second best in the league, with Ben Simmons who averaged the 5th most assists in the league. Both have that big desire to be winners and are both good leaders.
As for Ben he gets three shooting bigs in Horford, Thomas Bryant and Davis Bertans who can give him some spacing which he lacks.
For the Sixers they get a true point guard in John Wall who can help get the ball to Joel and Tobias and run the team efficiently. They get rid of Al Horfords terrible contract but have to take on board Walls. They get a potentially young star in Rui Hachimura and two first round picks.
As a Sixers and Ben Simmons fan I’d rather he stays and Brett Brown gets fired but if he is forced out I like this situation for both my team and Ben
From there as a Sixers fan I’d want us to trade Josh Richardson, Zhaire Smith and one of the first for Gary Harris and Bol Bol.
Harris is a good role player and team player but can step up his game if needed. Bol Bol has huge potential, can block shots, shoot threes, pass the ball well and having him beef up and learn with Joel Embiid would be great.
1. Wall. Milton
2. G Harris. Shayok
3. Hachimura. Thybulle
4. T Harris. Scott. Pelle
5. Embiid. Bol Bol
Injury concern
Wall
Embiid
Why would the sixers trade one non shooting Pg for another?? That doesn’t solve their main problem
Wall can shoot, not amazingly but atleast he attempts it. Ben doesn’t at all