The Orlando Magic have assigned Stephen Zimmerman to the Erie BayHawks of the NBA Development League.

Zimmerman (7’0”, 240, 9/9/96) has appeared in eight games this season with the Magic, averaging 1.3 ppg. and 1.8 rpg. in 4.0 minpg. He was previously assigned to Erie on November 28 and December 15. Zimmerman has played and started in six games with the BayHawks, averaging 17.3 ppg., 13.5 rpg., 1.0 apg., 1.50 blkpg. and 1.33 stlpg. in 34.2 minpg., while shooting .494 (42-85) from the field. He was originally selected in the second round (41st overall) of the 2016 NBA Draft by Orlando.

The Orlando Magic and the NBA Development League announced that the Magic has agreed to purchase the Erie BayHawks and intend to relocate the team to Lakeland, Fla., to begin play for the 2017-18 season. The anticipated relocation of the NBA D-League team also includes the future development of a practice facility in nearby Winter Haven, Fla. With the purchase, the Magic becomes the 17th NBA team to own and operate an NBA D-League affiliate.

“Today's announcement not only shows the continued growth of the NBA D-League but also enables the Magic to develop players close to home and provides fans in Central Florida the opportunity to watch top NBA prospects compete,” said NBA D-League President Malcolm Turner. “I’m thrilled to welcome the Magic as NBA D-League owners, and I want to thank Steve Demetriou and Owen McCormick for their leadership in Erie.”

“When we started this process, our goal was to have our NBA Development League team closer to home, and the perfect fit for us was the City of Lakeland,” said Magic CEO and NBA D-League Team Managing Partner Alex Martins. “Having our D-League team in Lakeland gives us the best opportunity to continue developing our young players and extend the Orlando Magic brand across Central Florida.”

The Orlando Magic could consider trading Mario Hezonja, who has struggled this season. Like many teams in the Eastern Conference, the Magic are under pressure to make the playoffs this season. The Magic are openly looking to add a scoring boost to their lineup.

The Magic have internally discussed sending Hezonja to the D-League, according to Brian K. Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel.

Hezonja is averaging just 3.9 points on 30.6 percent shooting in 11.6 minutes per game this season.