Orlando Magic third-year guard R.J. Hampton requested and was granted one other task with the group’s G League, the Lakeland Magic, a number of folks with information of the scenario advised the Orlando Sentinel.
The Magic confirmed the Sentinel’s reporting Thursday afternoon forward of their residence matchup vs. the Memphis Grizzlies, asserting Hampton was assigned to Lakeland.
Hampton requested the momentary task so he might get extra enjoying time.
He did the identical factor in mid-December, averaging 21.5 factors (50 capturing%) and 4 assists in 29.5 minutes in two video games with Lakeland earlier than being recalled to Orlando.
“I just felt like I got to play basketball at the end of the day,” Hampton advised the Sentinel about his first task with Lakeland. “I actually don’t care the place I play basketball. I might be on concrete or pavement, for actual, so long as I received a ball, teammates and we’re striving to win.
“At the time I felt like I wasn’t really playing up here. Wanted to stay in shape and sharp for when my opportunity is called.”
The similar motivations led to Hampton requesting one other task with Lakeland — so he might get extra enjoying time.
Hampton felt his first time with Lakeland helped him develop as an on-ball decision-maker.
“I felt like just being able to direct offensive traffic while having the ball in my hands a lot was helping me,” he mentioned. “Just getting in a rhythm. Getting to the basket, getting to the free throw line — doing all that kind of stuff again.”
Since coming back from the primary task with Lakeland on Dec. 17, Hampton had been a wholesome scratch in 4 of 8 video games.
He performed fewer than 5 minutes within the Dec. 23 win over the San Antonio Spurs, Dec. 27 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers and Dec. 30 loss to the Washington Wizards.
The lone recreation he’s performed greater than 10 minutes since Nov. 30 got here when the Magic had 9 gamers out there for Wednesday’s win over the Oklahoma City Thunder due to varied suspensions, illnesses and accidents.
Hampton had 12 factors and 4 rebounds in 23 minutes towards the Thunder.
He’s averaged 6 factors, 1.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 14.4 minutes (25 video games) — greater than seven fewer minutes than he averaged final season.
Hampton performed in all 64 video games (21.9 minutes) he was out there for final season.
He’s been a wholesome scratch in eight video games His spot within the rotation was unpredictable even earlier than the returns of guards Cole Anthony, Markelle Fultz and Gary Harris over the last 5 weeks.
Second-year guard Jalen Suggs returned towards the Grizzlies after sitting 19 video games with proper ankle soreness — pushing Hampton additional down the rotation.
Hampton, the No. 24 decide within the 2020 draft, will develop into an unrestricted free agent in July after the Magic didn’t train their fourth-year possibility for the 2023-24 season.
The Magic can nonetheless re-sign Hampton as a free agent.
Lakeland performs the Windy City Bulls on Friday and Saturday in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
Hampton traveled with Lakeland to Illinois on Thursday.
The plan is for him to rejoin Orlando on Sunday throughout the workforce’s West Coast journey, forward of the Magic’s matchup towards the Sacramento Kings.
They kick off the highway journey Saturday vs. the Golden State Warriors.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or comply with him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com