Orlando Magic News

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Franz Wagner • SF • Magic

Franz Wagner Takes Part in Light Work Sunday

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (shoulder) was able to do some "light work" during Sunday's practice, according to the Orlando Sentinel's Jason Beede. Head coach Sean Sweeney said the team will continue evaluating Wagner's right shoulder after he exited Friday's preseason finale against Miami. His status for Wednesday's opener against Atlanta remains unclear. If Wagner can't go, Tristan da Silva is one of the more likely options for extra minutes after making 34 starts last season. Anthony Black (ankle) also practiced Sunday and could see more perimeter work if he's cleared.

22 hours ago

Jase Richardson • SG • Magic

Jase Richardson Considered Day-to-Day with Back Soreness

Orlando Magic guard Jase Richardson (back) is day-to-day with low back soreness, according to the Orlando Sentinel's Jason Beede. Richardson left Friday's preseason finale against Miami after seven scoreless minutes, finishing with two rebounds and two assists. The second-year guard started Orlando's first two exhibitions while Jalen Suggs was sidelined, including a 12-point, four-assist outing against Cleveland. Richardson averaged just 4.4 points in 10.9 minutes as a rookie and returned to the bench once Suggs was cleared. Unless the injury opens a bigger role, Richardson remains a limited fantasy option.

Yesterday

Franz Wagner • SF • Magic

Franz Wagner Dealing with Right-Shoulder Soreness

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (shoulder) remains under evaluation after leaving Friday's preseason finale against Miami with right shoulder soreness, according to the Orlando Sentinel's Jason Beede. Wagner appeared bothered by the shoulder after a three-point attempt in the third quarter and finished with 11 points, six rebounds, and six assists in 19 minutes. The 25-year-old averaged 20.6 points and 5.2 rebounds in only 34 games last season, so another injury is worth monitoring. If Wagner can't play Wednesday against Atlanta, Tristan da Silva should be in line for more minutes with Noah Penda (hamstring) also sidelined.

Yesterday

Noah Penda • SF • Magic

Noah Penda Expected to Miss Significant Time with Hamstring Injury

Orlando Magic forward Noah Penda (hamstring) is expected to miss significant time after partially tearing his right hamstring in Friday's preseason finale against Miami, according to the Orlando Sentinel's Jason Beede. The 21-year-old left late in the first quarter after just two minutes, finishing with one steal. The tear is reportedly a separate injury from the hamstring issue that slowed him earlier in camp. Penda averaged 3.8 points and 3.2 rebounds in 12.8 minutes as a rookie. Tristan da Silva and Jamal Cain could see more wing minutes while Penda is out, especially if Franz Wagner (shoulder) also misses time.

Yesterday

Noah Penda • SF • Magic

Noah Penda Back on the Practice Floor

Orlando Magic forward Noah Penda (hamstring) practiced Sunday and increased his workload as he ramps up from a hamstring tweak, according to the Orlando Sentinel's Jason Beede. Head coach Sean Sweeney said Penda looked good after Orlando had limited him during two-a-day sessions early in camp. The 21-year-old averaged 3.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 12.8 minutes across 59 games as a rookie. With Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Tristan da Silva in a crowded forward rotation, Penda will need a strong preseason to carve out more minutes.

Oct 4

Anthony Black • PG • Magic

Anthony Black Returns to Practice Ahead of Preseason Opener

Orlando Magic guard/forward Anthony Black (ankle) participated in Sunday's practice and increased his workload as he ramps up from a minor ankle sprain, according to the Orlando Sentinel's Jason Beede. Black had progressed to high-speed non-contact work Friday, making Sunday another encouraging step, though his status for Wednesday's preseason opener at Memphis remains unclear. The 22-year-old averaged 15.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.4 steals last season. With Jalen Suggs and Desmond Bane projected to start, Black is positioned to lead Orlando's second unit and should still command meaningful minutes.

Oct 4

Noah Penda • SF • Magic

Noah Penda Limited by Hamstring Tweak to Start Camp

Orlando Magic forward Noah Penda (hamstring) is being brought along carefully after tweaking his hamstring, according to Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. Head coach Sean Sweeney said Orlando doesn't want Penda doing too much during two-a-day practices early in camp. The 21-year-old averaged 3.8 points and 3.2 rebounds in 12.8 minutes across 59 games as a rookie before posting 15.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game in Summer League. Penda is trying to earn a larger role in a crowded Orlando forward rotation, so getting back to full work ahead of the Oct. 7 preseason opener would give him more time to make his case.

Oct 1

Anthony Black • PG • Magic

Anthony Black Dealing with Minor Ankle Sprain

Orlando Magic point guard Anthony Black (ankle) is considered day-to-day after a minor ankle sprain sustained during voluntary workouts this offseason. Head coach Sean Sweeney said Black is "Day-to-day, and they're just being smart about it." In his third season with the Magic, Black has averaged 15.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in just under 30 minutes per game. With injuries to Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs last season, Black took on a larger role and had a career season. Now that both are healthy as we enter the 2026-27 season, Black will likely return to the bench and shouldn't be drafted any higher than a late-round pick in fantasy drafts.

Sep 30

Jalen Suggs • SG • Magic

Jalen Suggs Could Play More Off the Ball

Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs could benefit from spending more time off the ball under new head coach Sean Sweeney, according to Orlando Magic Daily. Suggs hit 39.3 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes on 3.8 attempts per game last season but finished at 33.9 percent overall from deep on a team-high 6.3 attempts. His efficiency also dipped when injuries forced him into a larger scoring role. Suggs averaged 17.8 points but shot just 28.9 percent from three between Paolo Banchero's groin injury and his own hip issue. Playing more off Banchero and Franz Wagner could help clean up his shot selection, while Anthony Black could take on some additional creation duties.

Sep 23

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.

Sep 3

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.

Sep 3

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

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