NBA free company formally kicked off Monday evening and the Magic have made their first transfer.
Orlando has agreed to a one-year, $7 million cope with free agent guard Tyus Jones, a league supply informed the Orlando Sentinel.
July 6 is when groups can formally signal free brokers, beginning at midday ET.
Though nothing is finalized, it’s anticipated Moe Wagner will return to Orlando in free company.
A veteran level guard, Jones is getting into his eleventh yr within the NBA and has been tied to Orlando previously. ESPN first reported the settlement between the perimeters.
The Athletic reported Sunday evening the Magic inquired about Jones’ availability earlier than the 2023-24 season’s commerce deadline when Jones performed for the Wizards on an expiring contract.
Jones has averaged a minimum of 10 factors and 5 assists per sport in every of the final three years. This previous season with the Suns, he averaged 10.2 factors, 5.3 assists, 2.4 rebounds and virtually a full steal (0.9) per sport.
He doesn’t make many errors both. In the course of the 2024-25 marketing campaign, Jones (4.71) ranked second behind solely Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton (5.61) in assist-to-turnover ratio amongst all gamers who appeared in a minimum of 50 regular-season contests, in line with NBA.com.
Jones additionally has a connection to newly acquired Magic guard Desmond Bane. The 2 spent three years collectively as teammates in Memphis, the place Bane performed the primary 4 years of his profession.
Orlando has made a number of strikes to re-shape its roster this summer season, some in preparation without cost company.
First, the Magic acquired 27-year-old Bane — a 3-point taking pictures guard who additionally may help generate offense for others — in trade for Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and a number of future first-round picks.
Orlando then declined the membership choices on veteran guards Cory Joseph and Gary Harris as a part of Bane commerce, making the duo unrestricted free brokers.
The Magic drafted Michigan State’s Jase Richardson with the twenty fifth decide after which moved up within the second spherical to pick out French ahead Noah Penda.
On Sunday, Orlando declined the crew choices for Wagner and reserve wing Caleb Houstan, choices that introduced the franchise beneath the luxury-tax threshold and with 10 gamers signed to plain contracts.
The Magic retained the Fowl rights for each gamers in order that they might return to the crew in free company.
Signing Richardson and Penda would go away Orlando with three customary roster spots to fill in addition to a pair of two-way offers out there.
Orlando on Monday morning gave a two-way qualifying provide to protect Mac McClung, a league supply informed the Sentinel. McClung is restricted to a one-year two-way contract with Orlando for the upcoming season, or he can search out a normal contract from one other crew.
By touchdown Jones, the Magic have added a veteran presence to their backcourt.
Jason Beede could be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com
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