All Signs Point To This …

All Signs Point To This …

The Orlando Magic recently waved guard Ethan Thompson after a somewhat underwhelming summer league performance. So, what does that mean for the team’s remaining two-way roster spots? Well, there’s one player that gained some attention due to his improved play in summer league. We’re going to break that down for you here today on Magic Digest. But first, what’s going on, Magic fans? This is your host, Sam Rodriguez. I’ll be covering the magic for what is shaping up to be a great season down here in Orlando. Uh, like I mentioned in my very first video with you guys, I actually just moved down here a few weeks ago. So, I’m super stoked to get to the Kia Center and see what the scene is capable of and hoping to see some of you guys there. You’re not going to want to miss a moment. So, do me a favor and hit that subscribe button if you are already not following along with us. I would like to see this number, the 67.5% of you nonsubscribers go way, way down. Now, let’s get into the magic’s most recent move. Um, ever since the Desmond Bean trade, uh, the Magic have been a little hardcapped in terms of what they can do. There’s a ton of money in this team right now. They are in absolute win now mode in an open Eastern Conference. So, their moves have had to be pretty strategic. Nevertheless, they move. Uh, they recently waved the guard, Ethan Thompson. And if you don’t know much about Ethan Thompson, uh, you’re in the right place. Uh, I’m going to give you just a little bit of background on him. Uh, fun fact, for one, he is Puerto Rican, much like myself. Uh, there is not a ton of Puerto Rican players in the league. So, whenever I have the opportunity to, I just have to shout them out. So, shout out to JJ Berea, Carmelo Anthony, Ronaldo Balkman, Carlos Aoyo, José Alvarado, and Devin Booker, I believe, is uh has some Puerto Rican in him. So, Book, if you’re watching, do me a favor, drop a comment and confirm for us here on Magic Digest. Uh, imagine. But, um, back to Ethan Thompson. Uh, he played four years at Oregon State where he averaged 13.5 points and shot 33.8% from three. Unfortunately, he went undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft. And he’s not had a ton of luck in terms of getting time with an NBA roster. Um, he did spend some time uh with the Windy City Bulls, the Mexico City Capitan, and then he signed his two-way deal with the Magic back in February. although he did not uh play a single NBA game with them. However, uh in the 31 games that he played with the Oyola Magic, uh that’s the Magic G-League affiliate team, he averaged 18.4 points and shot 39% from three. Obviously, those stats are not shabby at all, but his summer league performance uh was pretty concerning in terms of the development and improvement the Magic were hoping to see. Uh he averaged 10 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.2 to assist and shot only 31.3% from three. So, it seems as though Ethan took a few steps backwards and the Magic have decided to move on from him. Sorry, Ethan, but um the Magic now have two open two-way roster spots. Now, just another fun fact, NBA teams are allowed up to three of these spots in addition to their 15-man roster, but these players are only allowed to play up to 50 NBA games. Now, they did just sign Big Man Orlando, uh, Robinson, and you can check out Magic Digest host Patrick Prevy’s latest video on Robinson. I’m actually going to get some of his stats up for you here, just so you can see what Robinson was doing last season in his 35 games um, with Toronto. But Patrick gives a great breakdown on what you can expect from him. Um, but again, after waving Thompson and signing Robinson, the Magic have two open spots. Now, one name to look out for is Wendell Moore Jr., who played on the Magic’s summer league team as well and was pretty impressive despite the Magic’s winless record. Uh, his first game was pretty shaky. He only scored a two points in his 16 minutes of play. Uh, but he rebounded with a 22-point game on 9 for13 shooting. He added six rebounds and a steal in that game. That was the game against the Raptors that went right down to the wire. I was really really hoping the Magic were going to pull that one out. But, uh, Moore Jr. really maintained that momentum throughout the rest of summer league. Um, and let me get his stats up for you here. He averaged 13.8 points per game, 6.8 8 rebounds per game, a steal per game, and as you can see, he got to the free throw line quite a fair amount, and was pretty efficient there. Uh we’d love to see that. Uh and he was the only Magic player to record a double double in summer league. Now, uh this performance showed a pretty big leap from his time with the Hornets last season where he averaged 5.4 points and 3.2 rebounds in 16 games. So unlike Ethan Thompson, Moore Jr. really took this opportunity to shine and put that improvement on display. And perhaps what was most impressive, uh, he flashed a lot of defensive skill and versatility, which we’ve talked about the Magic’s identity here on Magic Digest at Nauseium. This is a super super important quality for players to have if you’re going to play for this team, GLeague included. Um, also something important to note, the Magic seem to love their Duke Blue Devils, right? Wendell Carter Jr. played for Duke. They just signed Taiish Jones this summer and of course Paulo Bonera who played on the same roster as uh Wendel Moore Jr. at Duke. So again uh this is a very likely signing for the Magic in terms of one of those two-way roster spots. Will we see Wendell actually play NBA games with the team? Probably only Wendell Carter. Uh the Magic are inevitably going to be a competitive team all season, a playoff team undoubtedly. Um so they will likely be relying on that 15-man roster. Now fingers crossed that this Magic team stays healthy this season, but this is such a great great opportunity uh for Wendel Moore to continue developing his game in the GLeague and vice versa for the Magic to continue developing this talent. Uh you stay ready so you don’t have to get ready when your number is called. But I want to know who you guys think the Magic could and should sign with these roster spots. Um, there has been some noise about ressigning Mac McClung. That’s three time slam dunk champion Mac Mlung. Just want to put a little respect on his name there. But again, drop a comment. Let me know who you guys think the Magic should sign. Um, and make sure that you are subscribed to Magic Digest so you never miss a breakdown, a signing, or a trade rumor. and I will be back with you guys to discuss all things Orlando Magic.

Sam Rodriguez breaks down the Orlando Magic’s most recent roster moves and the impressive Summer League play of Wendell Moore Jr.

Magic Digest is a YouTube channel dedicated to covering all the latest news, trades, reports, and rumors about the Orlando Magic. We provide in-depth coverage of game highlights, player performances, and analysis of team strategies. Our channel features discussions on key players like Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, and Jonathan Isaac, along with insights from Head Coach Jamahl Mosley and President Jeff Weltman. Stay tuned for all the exciting updates and engaging content on everything Magic!

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