This week sees the Magic hit Summer League in Las Vegas. It will see debuts for rookies Paolo Banchero and Caleb Houstan in a Magic uniform.
The Orlando Magic Summer League Squad
Orlando have a strong squad playing, which will be coached by Magic assistant coach Jesse Mermuys. Yes it is true that neither Jalen Suggs nor Franz Wagner will feature as they enter their second NBA season. Suggs is recuperating from foot surgery and Wagner, well be honest does he need it?
The Magic squad is as follows:
The Headline Names
Paolo Banchero – The No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, 19 years old, power forward.
Devin Cannady – Orlando Magic roster member, 26 years old, guard.
R.J. Hampton – Orlando Magic roster member, 22 years old, guard.
Admiral Schofield – Two-way roster member of the Orlando Magic and Lakeland Magic, 25 years old, forward.
Caleb Houstan – The 32nd overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, 19 years old,plays small forward and shooting guard.
From The Lakeland Magic
Aleem Ford – A familiar name to Magic fans as he appeared in 5 games with Orlando during December 2021. In 31 games Lakeland he averaged 12.5 points, shooting 38.7% from 3-point range. 24 years old, forward.
Jeremiah Tilmon Jr – With the Orlando Magic in last year’s summer league and training camp. He then joined the Lakeland Magic playing 31 games, averaging 10.1 points and 5.2 rebounds. 23 years old, centre.
Jaire Grayer – Appeared in 24 games last season, averaging 7.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists. 25 years old, guard.
Greg Malinowski – Described by Josh Cohen as arguably the best 3-point shooter on the Magic’s summer league squad this year. Playing in Lakeland he appeared in 5 games, averaging 7.0 points and 2.6 assists and shooting 42.1% from beyond the arc. 26 years old, he is a shooting guard and small forward.
The Rest
Justin James – He played two seasons with the Sacramento Kings after being drafted 40th overall in 2019. 25 years old, plays at shooting guard and small forward.
Kwan Cheatham Jr – He has played on five professional teams, including Fuenlabrada of the Spanish Liga ACB. 26 years old, plays at forward and centre.
Daniel Oturu – He has experienced 33 NBA games L.A. Clippers. Having been drafted 33rd overall in 2020 by the Minnesota Timberwolves he was traded immediately to the Clippers. Last season he was in the G League with the Windy City Bulls, but got a 10-day contract with the Toronto Raptors in December 2021. 22 years old, centre.
Zavier Simpson – He played 35 games with the Oklahoma City Blue in the G League last season, averaging 14.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.8 assists. OKC Thunder called him late in the season, appearing in 4 games with the Thunder and scoring in double figures 3 times. 25 years old, guard.
Devon Daniels – 23 years old, guard.
Both Gach – 23 years old, guard.
Tommy Kuhse – 24 years old, guard
Emanuel Terry – He has appeared in 6 NBA games with the Phoenix Suns, during two brief stints at the team. In 2019 Terry had a 10-day-contract with the Miami Heat. He also has played overseas professionally in Israel, Turkey, Serbia, and France. 25 years old, power forward and centre.
Jared Wilson-Frame – Another G League player, with the Salt Lake City Stars. In 32 games last season he averaged 17 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists. 25 years old, shooting guard.
As The Magic Hit Summer League What Is Our Schedule
The full 30 team tournament begins on July 7th. Orlando will open the event with a game against the Houston Rockets. That fixture is highly anticipated and should see the Draft’s number 3 overall pick; Jabari Smith Jr playing against the Magic. He will likely want to prove a point to the Orlando Front Office, having decided against taking him as the first pick as many expected.
Orlando then face the Sacramento Kings on July 9th, who will feature the number 4 pick from the Draft Keegan Murray.
The Magic’s third game is on July 11th against the Oklahoma City Thunder. OKC will feature the Draft’s number 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren.
The final scheduled game is on July 14th for Orlando, as the Magic face the New York Knicks.
The U.K. is 8 hours ahead of Las Vegas making the U.K. schedule as follows:
Houston Rockets – 3am July 8th
Sacramento Kings – 9pm July 9th
Oklahoma City Thunder – 2am July 12th
New York Knicks – 12:30am July 15th
THE NBA SUMMER LEAGUE 2022 – WHAT IS SUMMER LEAGUE AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
Summer League is an NBA competition held annually now in Las Vegas. All 30 NBA teams will participate and a total of 75 games will be played.
The annual tournament is a chance for teams to try out different line-ups and prospects away from the regular season but in a competitive situation. It is primarily an opportunity for rookies, second year and G-League affiliate players to develop their game. Roster’s often include older players who a team have invited onto their roster. This could literally be anyone but is usually someone who went undrafted or plays in a different league (i.e European).
Each team will play a total of five games. All team’s play four games between July 7th and 17th.
The top two teams from their first four games will play in the Championship Game on July 17th. Seeding for the Championship Game will be determined by winning percentage (I’ll come to the tiebreakers in a minute).
The 28 teams not playing in the Championship Game will play a fifth game on either July 16th or 17th. Consolation games are determined by various factors, including team rivalries, broadcast interest and other scheduling considerations.
THE TIEBREAKERS
Below is the NBA‘s explanation of the tiebreaker rules applied to decide the two teams progressing to the Championship Game.
IF TWO TEAMS ARE TIED:
In the case of a tie in preliminary round records involving only two teams, the following criteria (in order) will be utilized:
Head-to-head matchup: The team that won the game between the two teams in the preliminary round, if applicable, receives the higher seed.
Point differential: The team with the greater point differential receives the higher seed.
Random drawing: The higher seed shall be determined by a “coin flip.”
IF MORE THAN TWO TEAMS ARE TIED:
In the case of a tie in preliminary round records involving more than two teams, the following criteria (in order) will be utilized:
Point differential: The team with the greater point differential receives the higher seed.
Random drawing: The higher seed shall be determined by a “coin flip.”
How To Watch The 2022 NBA Summer League
As the Magic hit Summer League to watch in the U.K is through an active NBA League Pass subscription. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR NBA LEAGUE PASS UK.
