Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Lakeland Magic take shape as training camp begins for G-League

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 Lakeland Magic filled out their roster and opened up their training camp this week as the G-League season comes into focus.

The Lakeland Magic announced their roster earlier this week as they began their training camp Monday. The players on the roster are all still NBA free agents and can sign anywhere — outside of the Orlando Magic’s two two-way contracts. But the Lakeland Magic essentially are the team’s minor league and these are players the Magic will surely keep a close eye on throughout the coming season.

The Magic hired former USF Bulls coach Stan Heath as the team’s coach. He will run a similar offensive and defensive scheme as the home club. Orlando will get a good look at how these players might fit into their team.

While there are several players who went from G-League to NBA role players — such as Jonathon Simmons — in all likelihood, these are players who would have to carve out a role in the NBA. These are not future stars. Gaudy statistics are not always what will get them play. The roles they fill within this offense may not be the roles they would take should they get called up.

The Magic roster is full too. Orlando has signed 15 guaranteed contracts and has used both their two-way contract slots. For the players on the Lakeland Magic, they will be grinding for a shot at the Magic’s Summer League roster and a future roster spot there. Or a NBA roster spot elsewhere.

The G-League is not yet a true minor league system.

The Lakeland Magic’s roster is led by Orlando Magic two-way players Jamel Artis and Adreian Payne. The Magic signed Jamel Artis shortly after camp ended just before the season. He was a solid producer for the Pittsburgh Panthers as a senior last year, averaging 18.2 points per game and 39.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

He impressed for the New York Knicks in Summer League and earned a training camp invite with the Knicks. They cut him fairly early in camp despite good reports on him coming out of camp. Artis, a four-year player who impressed with his scoring but does not quite stand out anywhere, is a perfect two-way player. He could have a breakout in the NBA style in Lakeland and be an interesting guy to keep in the Magic system.

Artis has already joined his teammates in Lakeland. The Magic’s other two-way contract player, Adreian Payne has not.

Payne broke his hand in camp and is out indefinitely. He has remained in Orlando to work out and rehab. There is some confusion as to whether this time would count toward his 45 allowable days in the NBA under his two-way contract. It is not clear yet exactly what his status is.

According to the CBA, a player’s time in the NBA does not accrue unless they are on the active roster with the team, they are traveling with the team or they participate in any practice, workout or drill with other players under the supervision of the coach or training staff.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

By the letter of the two-way rules, it would seem the Magic have opted to have Payne rehab with Orlando. When he is ready to play, he will likely head to Lakeland to play games. So long as he does not work out or practice with any other players in a formal way, it appears the Magic would preserve his 45 days with the team.

It is not clear whether this is the case. In other instances in the CBA, players who are injured have their NBA salaries guaranteed while they rehab the injury with their teams or get cut if they are unguaranteed deals. There are injury exceptions elsewhere in the CBA for this kind of situation. The two-way contract is obviously very new. The mechanics are still getting interpreted.

Payne has been on the bench during early season games too. It feels like the team is still sorting through these rules. Assumedly, the Magic have decided one way or the other on this and have gotten interpretations from the NBA to clarify this interpretation.

Payne is a dynamic forward who has put up some big games in his three-year NBA career. He just has not had much opportunity to play. The former first-round pick has shuttled between the Atlanta Hawks and Minnesota Timberwolves. But he has failed to gain much traction.

This is a chance for him to get his feet under him again and impress at the G-League level to get another NBA chance. The Magic certainly could be the team to give him that opportunity.

Also joining the Lakeland Magic roster are “affiliate players” Troy Caupain and Rodney Purvis. Both Caupain and Purvis spent training camp with the Magic. Or, at least, they were on the training camp roster. Neither player actually suited up for the Magic at all during the preseason. Orlando secured their G-League rights and gave them an extra bit of money by keeping them on the training camp roster.

Training camp invitee Keith Appling did not join the Lakeland Magic roster.

Also joining the roster are returning players from the Erie Bayhawks last year is center Reggis Onwukamuche, guard John Petrucelli and guard T.J. Price. Price was the best of that bunch, averaging 14.0 points per game last year for the Erie Bayhawks.

The Magic added guard Javier Duren, guard Donte McGill, guard Maverick Rowan and guard Jay Wright via the G-League Draft.

Lakeland also invited four players from the team’s local tryout. That is the path Jonathon Simmons took to the NBA, paying for a tryout and reaching the NBA.

That list includes former Fresno State Bulldogs forward Kevin Foster. Foster was a Lakeland Kathleen High School graduate before averaging 8.6 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game in his senior season for the Bulldogs. He had a previous G-League stint with the Reno BigHorns in 2014.

While many of these players are not expected to see any time in Orlando. It seems very likely the Magic will use the G-League much more. Players like Khem Birch and Wesley Iwundu are prime candidates to see time in the G-League to keep them fresh and get them game experience.

Jeff Weltman and the Toronto Raptors used the G-League’s Raptors 905 heavily to help young players like Bruno Caboclo and Pascal Siakam get more playing time through the course of the season. That is the benefit to having the G-League team an hour away.

The Magic held an open practice earlier this week. They will have a preseason game against the Memphis Hustle on Monday at the RP Funding Center. The preseason game is open only to season ticket holders.

Next: Orlando Magic's dominant win means something

They will open their season in Iowa on Nov. 4.