Hunter debuts as starter

The Magic gave rookie center Steven Hunter his first start Friday night against the Sacramento Kings. He scored four points in 13 minutes.

Orlando had targeted Hunter as its top choice in the NBA draft in June, but the Magic said they had to sweat it out while waiting to pick 15th. The Houston Rockets, who had the 13th pick, also considered Hunter, a 7-footer out of DePaul.

But the Rockets made a deal with the New Jersey Nets, who were picking seventh. The Nets drafted Eddie Griffin and sent him to Houston for the draft rights to Richard Jefferson, Jason Collins and Brandon Armstrong.

"Rudy T (Tomjanovich, the Rockets' coach) called and said, 'You're safe. We're not going to draft Hunter,' " Magic Coach Doc Rivers said.