Orlando Magic Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Mason, Okeke Can Add Scoring For Magic; Bamba Squeezed Out Of Center Rotation

February 3rd, 2021 at 10:27pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

Newly-signed Magic guard Frank Mason III should be able to provide some offensive firepower to an injury-depleted Orlando squad, according to Josh Cohen of Magic.com.

As a two-way player during the 2019/20 season, Mason played 23 games for the Bucks’ NBAGL affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd. The 5’11” University of Kansas alum was the leading scorer in the G League last year, averaging 26.4 PPG. Cohen anticipates Mason’s biggest scoring contribution to the Magic will be via pull-up jumpers off of pick-and-rolls.

Magic head coach Steve Clifford has indicated that center Mohamed Bamba has been feeling a minutes squeeze as a result of Orlando’s significant depth at his position, according to Josh Robbins of The Athletic. “As I explained to him, the reality is this: Our best position by far is the five spot,” Clifford said. “[Nikola Vucevic] is playing at an All-Star level. Khem Birch is not just good now; Khem Birch is having a terrific year. So a lot of it is that. (Bamba) is playing behind two guys who (are excelling).”
In a 123-108 loss to the Raptors Tuesday, rookie Magic forward Chuma Okeke displayed his scoring prowess, according to Roy Parry of the Orlando Sentinel. The game marked Okeke’s first action since suffering a bone bruise in his left knee on December 31, which kept him out of commission for 16 games. “It feels really good because coming back after being away so long you don’t know how you’re going to play,” Okeke said.

Magic Sign Frank Mason To Two-Way Deal, Cut Jordan Bone

February 3rd, 2021 at 1:15pm CST by Luke Adams

FEBRUARY 3: The Magic have officially signed Mason, announcing in their press release that they’ve waived Bone to open up the required two-way slot. Roy Parry of The Orlando Sentinel notes (via Twitter) that Mason should be able to forgo the usual quarantine period for a newly-added free agent, since he has been at the G League bubble in Disney.

FEBRUARY 2: Free agent guard Frank Mason has agreed to sign a two-way contract with the Magic, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).

The 34th overall pick in the 2017 draft, Mason has appeared in a total of 99 NBA regular season games for the Kings and Bucks over the last three seasons. While his NBA output (6.8 PPG on .397/.298/.757 shooting) has been modest, the 26-year-old had a huge year in the G League in 2019/20, averaging 25.3 PPG with a .502/.428/.815 shooting line in 24 games (30.2 MPG) and earning NBAGL MVP honors.

Mason was signed and waived by the Sixers in December for G League purposes, as the team intended to make him an affiliate player for the Delaware Blue Coats. For now though, it sounds like Mason will report to the Magic once he officially signs a contract and clears the NBA’s health and safety protocols. There could be a pathway to immediate playing time with Markelle Fultz (ACL) out for the season and Michael Carter-Williams (foot) also ailing.

While the NBA and NBPA have talked about creating a third two-way slot for teams this season, there’s no indication any agreement on that front is imminent, so the Magic will presumably have to waive one of their current two-way players to make room for Mason. Of the two, Jordan Bone has been a more regular part of Orlando’s rotation than 20-year-old rookie Karim Mane.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Okeke Returns From Bone Bruise

February 2nd, 2021 at 9:17pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Magic rookie Chuma Okeke returned to action after being out since New Year’s Eve due to a bone bruise in his left knee, Roy Parry of the Orlando Sentinel tweets. Okeke tore his left ACL in March 2019 while a sophomore at Auburn but Orlando still chose him with the No. 16 pick in that summer’s draft. He missed last season recovering from that injury.

Aaron Gordon Expected To Miss 4-6 Weeks With Ankle Injury

February 1st, 2021 at 3:44pm CST by Luke Adams

Magic forward Aaron Gordon has been diagnosed with a severe left ankle sprain and is expected to be sidelined for the next four to six weeks, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).

Gordon suffered the injury during the third quarter of Sunday’s loss to Toronto when he rolled the ankle while bringing the ball up the court. He was seen on crutches after the game.

While Gordon didn’t sustain a fracture, it’s still terrible news for a Magic team that has already been hit hard this season by injuries. Jonathan Isaac won’t play at all in 2020/21 due to a torn ACL and Markelle Fultz was limited to eight games before suffering an identical season-ending ACL tear.

Evan Fournier, Michael Carter-Williams, and Chuma Okeke have also missed time due to injuries, while Al-Farouq Aminu hasn’t been able to play at all as he continues to recover from a knee issue. With Gordon, Isaac, Aminu, and Okeke all currently on the shelf, Orlando will have to lean heavily on Gary Clark and Khem Birch at the power forward spot.

The Magic currently sit at No. 12 in the East with an 8-13 record. Without Gordon and so many other players available, they’ll be hard-pressed to make a run and push their way back up the standings in the coming weeks.

Jonathan Isaac Embracing Grind Of Rehab

January 31st, 2021 at 5:29pm CST by JD Shaw

Magic forward Jonathan Isaac is embracing the grind of his rehab, working his way back from a torn ACL suffered last August, Roy Parry of the Orlando Sentinel writes. “I like the work. I like getting in and grinding every day,” Isaac said. “I think most people would think that that’s the hardest part but I take it like I’m out there playing on the court when I’m doing my rehab. This is my game right now. But the hardest part is definitely just being on the sideline and watching those guys fighting and just wishing I was out there with them.”

Southeast Notes: Westbrook, Herro, Anthony, Hunter

January 31st, 2021 at 10:55am CST by Arthur Hill

Frustrations may be boiling over for Wizards guard Russell Westbrook, who was involved in his second on-court incident of the week Friday night, writes Chris Cwik of Yahoo Sports. Westbrook was ejected from the loss to the Hawks after a game-long battle with Rajon Rondo. They both received technicals for a second-quarter altercation, then Westbrook picked up another one after shoving Rondo in the fourth quarter.

Westbrook was also involved in a double-technical incident Tuesday in Houston during an exchange with John Wall, the player he was traded for in December. The combination of losing and a sub-par shooting year are undoubtedly contributing to Westbrook’s short fuse.

“Honestly, it’s more on me,” he responded when asked about the dispute with Rondo. “I cannot allow myself to stoop down to anybody’s level. That’s not my character, who I am.”

There’s more from the Southeast Division:

The Heat may have another looming COVID-19 problem, according to an ESPN story. Tyler Herro learned at halftime Saturday night that someone he lives with has tested positive for the virus. He’s not sure yet if he’ll have to quarantine. Kendrick Nunn didn’t play Saturday because the team was awaiting his test results, but he was cleared by the second quarter. Jimmy Butler returned after missing 10 games due to health and safety protocols.
The Magic are being patient with first-round pick Cole Anthony as he goes through the ups and downs of being a rookie, notes Josh Robbins of The Athletic. Anthony, who has moved into the starting lineup for the past 12 games, has impressed teammates with his desire to improve. “He’s hard on himself,” said James Ennis, who serves as a mentor to Anthony. “He doesn’t like making mistakes. I give him credit. He’s tough. It’s hard to find young guys like that. He listens, also. So it’s hard to find young guys that come in and listen and want to compete and just want to be perfect.”
The Magic aren’t likely to re-sign Evan Fournier when he becomes a free agent after this season, Robbins adds in the same piece. Although Fournier is only 28, Orlando has some cap concerns after giving extensions to Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz. Robbins expects the team to explore trade offers for Fournier if it falls out of the playoff race before the March 25 deadline.
De’Andre Hunter‘s condition will be reviewed this week after an MRI Saturday showed articular wear and tear in his right knee, the Hawks announced in a press release. Hunter will be held out of Monday’s game against the Lakers.

Magic Granted DPE For Fultz’s Injury

January 30th, 2021 at 1:01pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The NBA has granted the Magic a Disabled Player Exception worth approximately $6.14MM due to Markelle Fultz‘s season-ending injury, Shams Charania of The Athletic tweets. The DPE will expire on April 19.

It’s the second DPE awarded to Orlando this season. The Magic were also granted a DPE following Jonathan Isaac‘s season-ending ACL tear. Fultz tore the ACL in his left knee early this month.

The DPE is a salary cap exception designed to allow teams to add a replacement for a player who suffers a season-ending injury. It’s worth either half the injured player’s salary or the value of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, whichever is lesser. Fultz has a $12,288,697 salary this season.

The disabled player exception doesn’t give a team an extra roster spot, but it allows the club to add a player without requiring cap space to do so. It can be used to sign a free agent, to claim a player off waivers, or to acquire a player in a trade. However, it can only be used on one player and can only accommodate a player on a one-year deal. A free agent signee can’t get a multiyear contract, and any trade or waiver target must be in the final year of his contract.

The Magic currently have a full 15-man roster and are approximately $3MM away from the luxury tax line. However, guard Michael Carter-Williams is dealing with a sprained left foot and is out indefinitely, Josh Robbins of The Athletic tweets, which might increase the odds of the Magic making a roster move.

Jonathan Isaac Offers Update On Recovery From Torn ACL

January 29th, 2021 at 12:59pm CST by Arthur Hill

Magic forward Jonathan Isaac provided an update on his recovery from a torn ACL, tweets Roy Parry of The Orlando Sentinel. Isaac told reporters he has started jumping while shooting, and the ACL doesn’t feel as stiff as it used to. He wants to strengthen his quad, hamstring and calf muscles before he resumes running. Isaac is expected to miss the entire season.

Latest On Magic Injuries

January 28th, 2021 at 9:57am CST by Luke Adams

The Magic will be without Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac for the rest of the season due to their torn ACLs, but the team is moving closer to getting some of its other injured players back on the court. According to Josh Robbins of The Athletic (Twitter link), head coach Steve Clifford said that veteran guard Michael Carter-Williams (foot) could return as soon as Friday after missing Orlando’s last 12 games.

Meanwhile, Clifford couldn’t provide exact timetables for when Magic forwards Chuma Okeke (knee) and Al-Farouq Aminu (knee) will play again, but did say that Okeke will likely be ready to go before Aminu is, Robbins adds.

Evaluating Mo Bamba In Year Three

January 25th, 2021 at 10:57am CST by Luke Adams

The sixth overall pick in 2018, Magic center Mohamed Bamba has an underwhelming NBA résumé so far, but it’s unfair to label him a bust since injuries and a lack of playing time have prevented him from showing what he can do, contends Jonathan Tjarks of The Ringer. The 22-year-old has been limited to 33 total minutes across four games so far this season.