Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Orlando Magic Rumors: Jamel Artis signs two-way deal with Orlando Magic

By Philip Rossman-Reich

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 3: Jamel Artis #0 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Brooklyn Nets during the preseason game on October 3, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 3: Jamel Artis #0 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Brooklyn Nets during the preseason game on October 3, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Orlando Magic appear to have filled their final two-way contract slot, reportedly signing forward Jamel Artis to play with Lakeland.

The Orlando Magic will sign former Pittsburgh Panthers forward and New York Knicks Summer League standout Jamel Artis to a two-way contract, Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders reports.

Artis averaged 18.2 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game and 3.3 assists per game in his senior year at Pitt last year. He shot 39.2 percent from beyond the arc and posted a 56.4 percent effective field goal percentage.

The 6-foot-7 forward had a strong Summer League for the Knicks too. He averaged 8.8 points per game and shot 48.6 percent from the floor.

Artis went to training camp with the Knicks and scored five points in seven minutes during their first preseason game. The team then suddenly, and surprisingly, cut him. New York had the option to convert his contract to a two-way contract but the team opted not to go that route with him.

With the way Artis played in college in his senior year — and increased his scoring average in each of his four seasons — it seemed he was set to make a NBA roster somewhere. The Magic appear to be that landing spot.

Orlando had used only one of its two two-way contract spots, signing Adreian Payne to one of those spots. The team left the other spot open. The Magic may have thought about converting Khem Birch‘s contract to a two-way deal. He ended up making the team outright.

That left a two-way spot open. Adreian Payne is a young veteran with three years of experience in the NBA. And he has plenty of time in the G-League already.

Artis is a solid player to add with the two-way contract. He is a classic Jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none player that often falls through the cracks in the league. He can score in a variety of ways. But maybe he lacks the elite speed or playmaking ability to stand out in the league.

The G-League sounds like a good place to get him his start. And he will get some time with the Magic before the G-League season starts and he heads to Lakeland.

The two-way contracts allow for players to spend up to 45 days with the NBA team during the course of the season. It is a new tool designed to make the G-League more of a true minor league team.

Orlando is going to use the G-League more than ever this year. With the team starting its own G-League team in Lakeland, it will have easy access to the G-League to call up and send down players.

Roster players like Khem Birch and Wesley Iwundu are likely to spend at least some time in the G-League. In all likelihood, roster cuts Kalin Lucas, Troy Caupain and Rodney Purvis will have a roster spot in Lakeland if they want to sign in the G-League with the Magic.

Artis will be another player to watch at this level for the Magic. He had a strong showing this summer but still needs to develop a bit more to crack a NBA roster.

Next: 538 has most optimistic Orlando Magic prediction yet

After getting cut far too early this preseason, Artis will still get his chance in the NBA. It may be a relatively short one with the two-way contract. But the Magic will benefit from him if they watch his development in Lakeland.