Orlando Magic News

EASTERN SOUTHEAST

Malaki Branham • SG • Magic

Malaki Branham Officially Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with Magic

The Orlando Magic officially signed guard/forward Malaki Branham to an Exhibit 10 contract, one of two camp deals completed alongside JD Davison. Branham, a former Ohio State guard, finished last season with the G-League's Cleveland Charge after Charlotte waived him in February. Orlando has 13 guaranteed contracts plus Jamal Cain's non-guaranteed deal, leaving Branham and Davison to compete for a possible final standard roster spot under new head coach Sean Sweeney. The two-way path is already closed, with Izaiyah Nelson, Alex Morales, and Colin Castleton occupying those slots. Branham has a scoring pedigree, but Orlando's guard depth leaves him buried unless the roster picture changes.

5 days ago

JD Davison • PG • Magic

JD Davison Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with Magic

The Orlando Magic signed guard JD Davison to an Exhibit 10 contract, one of two camp deals the team completed alongside Malaki Branham, according to Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. Davison, the 2024-25 G-League MVP, was waived by Houston in August after the Rockets had converted him to a standard contract in April. His path into Sean Sweeney's rotation is close to blocked. Orlando has all three two-way spots filled by Izaiyah Nelson, Alex Morales, and Colin Castleton, while Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Anthony Black, Jevon Carter, and Jase Richardson crowd the guard rotation. Davison is likely competing for an Osceola role, not fantasy relevance.

5 days ago

Goga Bitadze • C • Magic

Goga Bitadze Scores 23 Points as Georgia Routs Montenegro

Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze put up 23 points, eight rebounds, one steal, and two blocks in Georgia's 101-74 win over Montenegro on Friday in Group I of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. The 27-year-old finished second on the team behind Tornike Shengelia, who led all scorers with 24 points, while Sandro Mamukelashvili chipped in 17 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Summer form is not Bitadze's issue. Playing time is. He averaged 5.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 15.2 minutes last season and was out of the rotation by Game 7 against Detroit. Orlando then added Nikola Vucevic after Moritz Wagner's departure, leaving Bitadze behind Wendell Carter Jr. and Vucevic in a crowded center mix. He stays off fantasy radars unless an injury opens minutes.

Aug 29

Malaki Branham • SG • Magic

Malaki Branham Agrees to Exhibit 10 Deal with Magic

The Orlando Magic have agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with guard/forward Malaki Branham, according to Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. HoopsHype's Michael Scotto first reported the agreement between the two sides. Branham, the No. 20 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has averaged 8.0 points across 216 NBA games with the San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards. His best season came in 2023-24, when he posted 9.2 points, 2.1 assists, and 2.0 rebounds in 21.3 minutes per game. Orlando's backcourt is crowded with Desmond Bane, Jalen Suggs, Anthony Black, and Jase Richardson ahead of him, leaving Branham off fantasy radars unless he turns the camp deal into a real rotation spot.

Aug 26

Nikola Vučević • C • Magic

Nikola Vucevic Downplays Celtics Rift

Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic pointed to Boston's expensive roster structure, not locker-room tension, when discussing the Celtics' offseason shake-up. Speaking to SKWEEK, Vucevic said the contracts for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, combined with the NBA's new financial rules, made it difficult for Boston to keep enough depth around its stars. He also said he sensed no issues between Tatum and Brown before Boston traded Brown to Philadelphia for Paul George and multiple picks. The fantasy fallout is more about Boston than Vucevic, who returns to a crowded Orlando frontcourt. George should see cleaner usage next to Tatum, while Vucevic will need steady minutes before becoming more than a fringe fantasy name.

Aug 25

Tristan da Silva • PF • Magic

Tristan da Silva Earns Germany Qualifier Spot

Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva made Germany's 15-player roster for the FIBA World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers, joining Dennis Schroder and Isaiah Hartenstein as the squad's three NBA representatives. Franz Wagner and Moritz Wagner are unavailable for this window, opening another national-team opportunity for the 25-year-old Munich native. Da Silva averaged 9.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.9 steals in 24.7 minutes across 77 games last season while shooting 37.4 percent from three. The summer call-up does not shift his fantasy outlook. He remains a low-usage Orlando wing whose value depends on injuries clearing minutes in a crowded forward mix.

Aug 12

Nikola Vučević • C • Magic

Magic Kept Nikola Vucevic From Zvezda Move

Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic had a gentleman's agreement to join Crvena Zvezda if he did not receive an NBA offer, club president Zeljko Drcelic told Meridian Sport, per Eurohoops. That path never opened, as Vucevic signed a one-year, $3.9 million deal to return to Orlando on July 1. The 35-year-old two-time All-Star split last season between Chicago and Boston, averaging 15.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across 64 games. For fantasy, the EuroLeague angle changes nothing unless it resurfaces after this NBA stint. Vucevic is back as veteran frontcourt depth for the Magic, which leaves him more useful as a low-ceiling big than a priority target.

Aug 3

Nikola Vučević • C • Magic

Nikola Vucevic Isn't Planning to Retire After Next Season

Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic does not plan to make 2026-27 his final NBA season, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, citing the Magic's win-now direction under new coach Sean Sweeney, his history with the franchise, and family reasons for returning on a one-year deal. The 35-year-old, who turns 36 in October, retired from international play but still expects to keep going in the NBA. He averaged 15.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 36.9 percent from three last season. In Orlando, though, he projects as the backup behind entrenched starter Wendell Carter Jr. and will likely split those reserve minutes with Goga Bitadze. That caps his fantasy ceiling: his scoring gives him streaming value in deeper formats, but the timeshare keeps him off standard-league radars unless Carter misses time, at which point he becomes genuinely useful.

Jul 23

Izaiyah Nelson • C • Magic

Izaiyah Nelson Undergoes Successful Left-Ankle Surgery

Orlando Magic forward/center Izaiyah Nelson (ankle) shared on Instagram that surgery to repair his fracture was successful, according to Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. The Magic announced Monday that Nelson suffered the injury in the first half of Sunday's Summer League win over the Portland Trail Blazers and is expected to resume basketball activities in three to four months. The No. 51 pick signed a two-way deal with Orlando after averaging 15.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks at South Florida. This setback makes it harder for Nelson to carve out an NBA role right away, so most of his rookie-year development could come in the G League after he is cleared.

Jul 14

Jonathan Isaac • PF • Magic

Jonathan Isaac Signs New Deal With Magic

Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac is signing a new one-year deal to remain with the franchise, according to Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. The sixth-overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Isaac has played his entire career in Orlando, despite major injuries and a reduced role in recent seasons. The 28-year-old was waived just ahead of the free agency period with several years remaining on his contract to save the team some money. He'll still receive $8 million worth of guaranteed money on top of his new contract. Isaac averaged just 2.6 points and 2.5 rebounds in 10 minutes of game action in 52 appearances last season.

Jul 1

Jevon Carter • SG • Magic

Guard Jevon Carter Staying in Orlando

Orlando Magic guard Jevon Carter is signing a new one-year, $3.5 million contract to remain with the team, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 30-year-old was acquired from Chicago in February and carved out a role, especially with Anthony Black missing a large chunk of time in March. Carter wound up averaging 7.2 points and 2.3 assists in 20.4 minutes in 30 games with the club. Carter won't get much playing time when Black and Jalen Suggs are healthy, but has provided a steady hand when either misses games.

Jul 1

Nikola Vučević • C • Magic

Nikola Vucevic Returns Home to Orlando

Center Nikola Vucevic is signing a one-year, $3.9 million contract for a second stint with the Orlando Magic, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 35-year-old spent nearly nine seasons with the Magic toward the beginning of his career, blossoming into an All-Star. His production has nearly bottomed out since then, though. A midseason acquisition by the Celtics, Vucevic averaged 9.7 points and 6.6 rebounds in 21.1 minutes. Those were all his lowest per-game numbers since his rookie season. Vucevic replaces the outgoing Moritz Wagner on the Magic depth chart, but will be competing with Goga Bitadze for backup center minutes behind Wendell Carter Jr.

Jul 1

Anthony Black • PG • Magic

Anthony Black's Extension Talks Could Squeeze Orlando's Backcourt

Orlando's payroll is set to spike as power forward Paolo Banchero's max extension kicks in, pushing the Magic above the first apron and close to the second, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports. That crunch sets up a tough call in the backcourt. Anthony Black is extension-eligible this summer, and with the third-year guard's numbers broadly comparable to Jalen Suggs, who is on a five-year, $150.5 million deal, executives believe Orlando could eventually have to choose between the two. Jonathan Isaac's $14.5 million salary, with only $8 million guaranteed, gives the Magic a possible cost-cutting chip or trade piece, though his career-low 2.6 points in 52 games leave him off fantasy radars. For fantasy, the crowded guard rotation caps usage for both Suggs and Black now, but Black is the developmental name to watch, and a trade of either guard would unlock more value for whoever stays.

Jun 21

Franz Wagner • SF • Magic

Franz Wagner Hopes to Move Past Injury Setbacks

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner opened up to Cyro Asseo of HoopsHype about a frustrating injury-plagued year, saying the repeated rehab process was tough and that he probably should not have played during Orlando's Berlin game. The 24-year-old was limited to 34 regular-season games because of a recurring left high ankle sprain before a right calf strain knocked him out late in the first round. When available, Wagner still averaged 20.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 48.1 percent from the field. Under new head coach Sean Sweeney, Wagner's health is one of Orlando's biggest fantasy swing factors. A clean offseason would put him back in position to provide efficient scoring, rebounds, assists, and enough steals to remain a strong multi-category option next to Paolo Banchero.

Jun 14

Paolo Banchero • PF • Magic

Paolo Banchero Carries Offense in Game 7 Defeat

Orlando Magic forward/center Paolo Banchero recorded 38 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and one block in 42 minutes during Sunday's Game 7 loss to Detroit. He shot 14-for-25 from the field and 4-for-7 from three, carrying the offense with efficient scoring and playmaking after a quiet Game 6. Banchero handled a heavy workload throughout the series, reinforcing his status as the focal point. Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter Jr. contributed, but Orlando leaned heavily on Banchero's creation. With the season over, he's set to remain a high-usage centerpiece and a strong fantasy building block heading into next year.

May 4

Jonathan Isaac • PF • Magic

Jonathan Isaac Remains Out for Game 7

Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's Game 7 against the Detroit Pistons. Isaac will miss the entirety of this series while he continues to deal with a sprained left knee. Isaac hasn't played since mid-March, and it's unclear if he'll be ready for the next round, if Orlando advances. His continued absence from the rotation won't make much of an impact. Jamal Cain and Tristan de Silva will continue to see an uptick in playing time without Isaac available.

May 3

Jonathan Isaac • PF • Magic

Jonathan Isaac Remains Doubtful on Injury Report

Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (knee) is listed as doubtful for Game 7 against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. He has regularly carried the doubtful designation during the postseason due to a sprained knee and hasn't yet suited up for any games. Isaac is likely to remain out on Sunday as well. Jamal Cain will continue to pick up a few extra minutes without Isaac, but he has been quiet in the series. Across 16.5 minutes per game, Cain has tallied 4.5 points and 3.3 rebounds. The 27-year-old has snagged only two steals in the series and hadn't managed a single block before recording one in Friday's Game 6 loss.

May 2

Franz Wagner • SF • Magic

Franz Wagner Won't Be Available for Game 7

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (calf) won't suit up for Game 7 against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. He'll be out for a third consecutive game after sustaining a calf strain earlier in the series. Wagner landed on the shelf after averaging 16.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.8 steals in four playoff games. His absence has elevated the fantasy value of Anthony Black and Jamal Cain, with the latter moving into the starting lineup. However, Black has seen significantly more playing time than Cain, making him the better fantasy option.

May 2

Paolo Banchero • PF • Magic

Paolo Banchero Struggles with Shot in Game 6 Loss

Orlando Magic forward/center Paolo Banchero finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and two steals in 41 minutes during Friday's Game 6 loss to Detroit, shooting just 4-for-20 from the field and 0-for-9 from deep. After a dominant Game 5, he cooled off sharply, though steady free-throw production kept his line afloat. Banchero remains the clear offensive focal point heading into Game 7, especially if Franz Wagner (calf) remains limited. Desmond Bane and Jalen Suggs should continue in their usual roles, but how far Orlando goes will depend on Banchero finding his rhythm and knocking down shots.

May 2

Jonathan Isaac • PF • Magic

Jonathan Isaac Downgraded to Out

Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (knee) will remain on the shelf in Game 6 against the Detroit Pistons on Friday. His status has been downgraded from doubtful to out ahead of tip-off. Isaac has missed several weeks due to a left knee sprain, and it's unclear whether he will become an option in the postseason if Orlando takes down Detroit in the first round. Jamal Cain has benefited from Isaac's absence, but his production has been limited to 4.8 points and 3.2 rebounds per game in the playoffs.

May 1

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