The Orlando Magic have been quite active this offseason, acquiring prospects from the G-League. Just recently, the Magic signed Myron Gardner on an Exhibit 10 contract. However, the front office waived him after their recent signing. The Magic signed two-time Slam Dunk contest champ, Mac McClung and the G-League’s Ethan Thompson and Javonte Smart. Moreover, the Magic are looking to play a trial-and-error game while acquiring these prospects. As you might have guessed, these three prospects also signed an Exhibit 10 deal.

While McClung has had his moments in the league, who are the two new additions on the roster? For starters, Ethan Thompson is a 6’5″ shooting guard out of Oregon State. Coming off a strong season in his Junior Year, Thompson declared for the 2020 NBA Draft. Failing to register his name on the draft board, the guard went on to play in his senior year. This time, unfortunately, Thompson went undrafted in 2021 and joined the Bulls to play in the Summer League.

Now, things were going great for Thompson, he was finally getting his name out there among scouts. However, after two seasons of playing for the Windy City Bulls, while averaging 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, Thompson signed with the Mexico City Capitanes. Not only that but earlier this year, Thompson took his talents overseas, playing professionally in Puerto Rico.

Javonte Smart has a similar resume. Smart is a 6’4″ shooting guard from LSU. But unlike Thompson, Smart has prior experience of playing in the league. After his junior season at LSU, Smart went undrafted in 2021. Later on, he played for the Heat in the Summer League before signing up with Miami’s G-League affiliate, Sioux Falls Skyforce. And after playing 25 games for the Skyforce, Smart joined the Birmingham Squadron the following year. His first two seasons in the G-League were quite impressive, as Smart played for the Bucks and the Heat during the 2021-22 season.

But along with McClung, how are the two planning to help the Magic this upcoming season?

Orlando Magic have been struggling from beyond the arc

Last season, the Magic ranked last in the league for three-pointers made and were the second-worst in three-point attempts per game. According to Philip Rossman-Reich of the Orlando Magic Daily, the team’s three-point shooting is the “regular season’s biggest concern.” Rossman-Reich notes that “the Magic still lack knock-down shooters that will demand respect from the outside. Orlando will still have to earn that respect.”

Clearly, they need to intensify the threat from beyond the arc, and that’s where new prospects come into play. McClung, for instance, shot 36% from three in his latest G-League season. Thompson and Smart are also willing to shoot from deep. That said, the current roster performed well in the playoffs, with Wagner, Banchero, and Suggs stepping up and shooting confidently.

These new players are on Exhibit 10 contracts. This means they’ll have to prove themselves in the G-League before potentially earning a roster spot. As preseason approaches, the Magic still have two two-way spots available.

Orlando is an up-and-coming team in the East and is aiming to stay in the playoff race, with Banchero and Wagner leading the charge. It will be interesting to see if the front office considers calling up the G-League prospects as the season progresses.

What do you think of teams like the Orlando Magic using Exhibit 10 deals? Could they help teams find hidden talent? Share your thoughts in the comments.