2:12pm: The Magic have officially waived Hampton, the team confirmed in a press release.
1:55pm: The Magic are waiving former first-round pick R.J. Hampton, according to Khobi Price of The Orlando Sentinel (Twitter link).
The No. 24 pick in the 2020 draft, Hampton was part of Orlando’s return in the 2021 trade that sent Aaron Gordon to Denver. He had a rotation role in his first season-and-a-half with the Magic, but has seen his playing time decline precipitously in 2022/23 after the team declined the ’23/24 team option on his rookie scale contract.
Hampton, who turned 22 earlier this month, appeared in just 26 contests for the Magic this season, averaging 5.7 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists on .439/.340/.838 shooting in 13.9 minutes per game. He wasn’t a regular contributor in a crowded backcourt that features Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, and Gary Harris.
Considered a trade candidate for much of this season, Hampton remained in Orlando through the February 9 deadline. A report surfaced shortly after the deadline suggesting that his days with the Magic were numbered.
Hampton has a $2,412,840 cap hit for 2022/23, so a team with cap room or a trade exception big enough to absorb that amount could place a waiver claim. The more likely scenario is that he’ll go unclaimed and seek out a new home as an unrestricted free agent.
The Magic are also promoting two-way player Admiral Schofield to a standard contract, so once officially they complete both transactions, they’ll have two spots available on their 17-man roster — one standard and one two-way.
I think he gets one more opportunity to prove himself. Pistons?
I’m hoping Pistons!!!
Release Noel and pickup Hampton. I would have approved that trade had it been discussed prior to the deadline!
Well, you predicted it
Utah Jazz? Obviously brought Russ out after trading Conley. Still have Clarkson and Sexton but RJ would be a solid fit and worth developing
Jazz seems like a good idea. People act like he’s old amd washed up. This should have been his rookie season and when he did get a chance to do anything he played well for a prospect.
Magic didn’t want him or Bamba and showed as much from the start. When they didn’t pick up his option despite him getting measurably better during the preseason amd season the writing was on the wall. After Jalen Smith last year teams should realize not to give up to early on these guys.