The Magic have agreed to a deal with free agent guard Lester Quinones, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link). It will be a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contract, a league source tells Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel (Twitter link).
Quinones has appeared in 54 total NBA regular season games in three years since going undrafted out of Memphis in 2022. His best season came in 2023/24, when he averaged 4.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in 10.6 minutes per night with a .364 3PT% in 37 outings for Golden State.
The 6’4″ guard began last season on a two-way contract with the Sixers, was waived in December, then finished the year with the Pelicans after signing a two-way deal in early March. That contract covered two seasons, but New Orleans waived Quinones last month.
Quinones only made 13 NBA appearances in 2024/25, but saw action in 41 total G League games for the Birmingham Squadron and Delaware Blue Coats. He put up impressive averages of 21.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per contest, though he struggled a bit with his shooting efficiency (.431/.331/.713) and turnovers (3.7 per game).
According to Scotto, Quinones will have an opportunity to compete for a roster spot or a two-way deal in Orlando. The latter is more likely than the former, given that the Magic are bumping right up against a first-apron hard cap and don’t have enough room to carry a 15th man into the season at the moment.
An Exhibit 10 contract can be converted to a two-way deal up until October 20. The Magic have one open two-way slot alongside Orlando Robinson and Jamal Cain. If Quinones is waived before the season, he could potentially join the Lakeland Magic and earn an Exhibit 10 bonus worth up to $85,300, but Orlando’s NBAGL affiliate would need to acquire his returning rights.