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Orlando Magic news gathered from around the net.

Cavaliers Win Lottery; Magic, Wizards In Top-3

The 2013 NBA Draft Lottery was held on Tuesday in Times Square with the Cleveland Cavaliers winning for the second time in three years and third time in ten years. The Washington Wizards moved up from the eighth slot to draft third.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Orlando Magic
3. Washington Wizards
4. Charlotte Bobcats
5. Phoenix Suns
6. New Orleans Pelicans
7. Sacramento Kings
8. Detroit Pistons
9. Minnesota Timberwolves
10. Portland Trail Blazers
11. Philadelphia 76ers
12. Toronto Raptors
13. Dallas Mavericks
14. Utah Jazz

Via RealGM Staff Report

Gani Lawal Intrigues NBA Teams After Breakout Season In Italy

After a breakout season in Europe, Gani Lawal has intrigued NBA teams and could receive consideration for a contract, league sources told RealGM.

Lawal has already scheduled workouts – private and as part of mini-camps – with the Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic, sources said. Four to five other teams have discussed bringing him in to work out, too.

Lawal, the 6-foot-9 athletic, scrappy forward, had his best professional season with Italy’s Virtus Roma, averaging 13.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. Virtus Roma has gone 20-10 this season and ranks third in the league standings.

Since leaving the Phoenix Suns organization that drafted him in the second round in 2010, Lawal, 24, has lost weight and added strength. Lawal played one game with the Suns two seasons ago and was in the San Antonio Spurs’ training camp in 2011, but he was derailed by injuries and didn’t figure into a long-term plan. He was drafted after three years at Georgia Tech.

Via Shams Charania/RealGM

Afflalo Wants To Play To His Strengths Next Season

Arron Afflalo is looking forward to playing to his strengths next season.

"I'm kind of getting to the age now where I'm kind of settling into being great at something," Afflalo said. "Whether it's being a high-level defensive player, a high-level shooter, an efficient scorer, doing the things where I'm really playing to my strengths. That's something I'm looking forward to."

With Afflalo often acting as the team’s go-to scorer, the Magic lost 62 games this season.

"It is what it is," Afflalo said. "We had a lot of firsts in terms of role definition, in terms of learning, in terms of the coaching staff. And when you're fully committed to doing better and trying to win it all at some point in time, you have to go through experiences like this. All we can do is try to learn from what happened this year and move forward into next year."

Via Ken Hornack/FOXSportsFlorida

Magic, Pelicans Could Draft Trey Burke 1st Overall If They Win Lottery

Trey Burke is a projected top-5 pick and could become the first player selected depending on who wins the lottery.

According to reporting from Chad Ford, the Orlando Magic and New Orleans Pelicans could select Burke with the first overall selection.

Via Chad Ford/ESPN

Strength Of 2014 Draft Class Could Help Noel's Case With Magic, Bobcats

Nerlens Noel was widely considered the consensus best player available in the 2013 NBA Draft, but his status in that position became questionable after tearing his ACL.

Noel is targeting a return of December, but could be out longer depending on how the rehab progresses.

With the 2014 NBA Draft expected to be incredibly strong with Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Julius Randle and Marcus Smart, amongst others, teams could be more comfortable being patient with Noel.

"I actually think that's helping Noel's case with teams like Orlando and Charlotte," wrote Chad Ford of the scenario of letting Noel rehab slowly to improve their lottery position for 2014. "Going for the double-play."

Via Chad Ford/ESPN

Amaechi: Magic Teammates Knew Sexuality, Protected Me

John Amaechi said several of his Orlando Magic teammates knew that he was gay when he played for the franchise between 1999 and 2001.

"I just thought I would lose my job," Amaechi said during an interview on Wednesday. "My teammates knew. We didn't talk about, but they knew. ... My teammates took care of me."

Amaechi said that the climate of the United States at that time, as well as playing for a conservative owner like Rich DeVos whose family has donated money to anti-gay marriage groups, made coming out publicly not something he was comfortable doing.

Via Mike Bianchi/Orlando Sentinel

Source: Magic Wouldn't Rule Out Drafting Nerlens Noel

Rob Hennigan has been risk-averse when it comes to acquiring players with injury histories, but according to a source with direct knowledge, Hennigan wouldn’t be afraid to select Nerlens Noel with the Orlando Magic’s lottery pick.

The Magic finished with the NBA’s worst record (20-62) and are guaranteed one of the top four picks -- with a 25 percent chance of receiving the No. 1 pick.

Noel is still recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee suffered on Feb. 12.

Noel fractured the growth plate in his left knee as a sophomore in high school and missed the remainder of the season.

Via Brian Schmitz/Orlando Sentinel

Turkoglu Wants To Return To Magic Next Season

Hedo Turkoglu wants to return to the Orlando Magic next season.

"I would like to keep playing here," Turkoglu said after the team’s shootaround Wednesday. "I was here more years than anywhere in my career."

Turkoglu, who recently servered a 20-game suspension for testing positive for steroids, has played seven-plus seasons for the Magic.

Via Brian Schmitz/Orlando Sentinel

Afflalo Out For Season With Hamstring Injury

Arron Afflalo will miss the Orlando Magic’s final 12 games of the regular season with a strained right hamstring.

Afflalo averaged a team-high 16.5 points on 43.9 percent shooting, including 30 percent from three-point range.

The Magic will not sign anyone to a 10-day contract as a result of Afflalo's injury.

Via Josh Robbins/Orlando Sentinel

Tobias Harris Surprised Bucks Traded Him

Tobias Harris has thrived since being traded to the Orlando Magic at the trade deadline, averaging 15.9 points and 7.3 rebounds in 30.9 minutes per game. But Harris admits he did not expect to be traded by the Bucks in a deal that brought J.J. Redick to Milwaukee.

"Hearing you're a key asset to the team and part of the team's future, yeah, I was surprised," Harris said. "But I know it's a business. It's part of the game.

"You can't hold your head too long. And I knew the situation in Orlando was a good situation for me."

Harris still maintains contact with players on the Bucks, including Larry Sanders, John Henson, Marquis Daniels, Drew Gooden and Joel Pryzbilla.

Via Charles F. Gardner/Journal Sentinel

Orlando Magic Archives

Dwight Howard Expecting Loud Boos In Return To Orlando

Dwight Howard is looking forward to being in his Orlando home again.

Howard Apologizes To Orlando For How He Handled Departure

Dwight Howard has apologized to the fans of Orlando ahead of his first return trip with the Lakers on Tuesday.

Glen Davis Eating Vegan Diet To Lose Weight

Glen Davis fractured his left foot on Jan. 30.

Dwight: Comments On Former Teammates Meant Magic Were Underdogs

Dwight Howard has received backlash from former Orlando Magic teammates because of his comments saying they were "a team full of people nobody wanted."

Jameer Nelson: Dwight Needs To Take Ownership Of Comments To Media

Jameer Nelson responded to comments made by Dwight Howard disparaging his former teammates with the Magic.

Rivers Compares Bynum Situation To His Experience With Magic, Grant Hill

Doc Rivers compared what Doug Collins is going through with Andrew Bynum's injury uncertainty to his tenure with the Orlando Magic when Grant Hill struggled with persistent injuries.

Bucks Acquire J.J. Redick From Magic

The Bucks have acquired J.J. Redick from the Magic.

Report: Pacers Unwilling To Give Up First Round Pick For J.J. Redick

The Pacers have shown interest in J.J. Redick.

Magic Have First Round Pick Offers For Redick

The offers for J.J. Redick have all come from teams likely to draft in the twenties.

Spurs Interested In J.J. Redick

J.J. Redick will be a free agent this offseason and the Magic are seeking a first round pick for him.

Redick To Seek $10M Annual Deal In Free Agency

The Pacers, Bucks, Bulls and Wolves have been interested in J.J. Redick.

Donte Greene Cleared For Return, Receives Interest From Several Teams

Donte Greene has received interest from the Nets, Pacers, Hornets, Spurs, Bulls, Knicks, Magic, Rockets and Cavaliers.

Bucks Offered Redick For Mbah a Moute, First Rounder

The Bucks would only trade for J.J. Redick if they can find a deal involving Monta Ellis.

J.J. Redick Wanted 3-Point Contest Invite, Unsure Of Criteria

Another knock-down shooter, Kyle Korver, also is not clear about the NBA's premise on picking players for the three-point shootout.

Turkoglu Suspended 20 Games For PED Violation

Hedo Turkoglu was shown to have methenolone in his system, which is a type of anabolic steroid.

Source: Jennings Has 'Irreconcilable Differences' With Bucks

Brandon Jennings is frustrated that he was unable to come to terms with the Bucks on a long-term extension

Source: Nicholson To Replace Drummond In Rising Stars Game

Andrew Nicholson is averaging 7.6 points and 3.5 rebounds in 15.4 minutes per game this season.

Bucks Interested In Trading For Redick

The Magic are looking for a future first round pick and expiring contracts in exchange for J.J. Redick.

Grant Hill Indicates He'll Retire After This Season

Grant Hill sat out most of his seven seasons with the Magic, but he doesn't buy the idea that he's more fresh due to the time off.

Glen Davis Set For Foot Surgery, Likely Done For Season

Glen Davis will undergo surgery to repair a fractured fifth metatarsal in his left foot.
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