Magic lock in Mack

The Orlando Magic announced Sunday that they have signed free-agent point guard Shelvin Mack.

Mack, 27, is expected to provide depth behind starter Elfrid Payton, either as a secondor third-string option.

ESPN has reported that Mack’s contract will run for two years and be worth a total of $12 million. But it’s unclear whether the salary for the second season is partially guaranteed; a partial guarantee for the second season would give the Magic more salary-cap flexibility for the summer of 2018.

The Magic now have four point guards under contract for the upcoming season: Payton, D.J. Augustin, C.J. Watson and Mack.

But Watson’s 2017-18 salary, the last year of his threeyear deal, is only partially guaranteed. If the Magic waive Watson on or before Monday, the team would owe him only $1 million of his $5 million salary for the season ahead.

Mack appeared in 55 games last season for the Utah Jazz, averaging 7.8 points, 2.8 assists and 1.6 turnovers per game in 21.9 minutes per game.

Mack should not be expected to help the Magic with one of their most pressing deficiencies, poor outside shooting. Mack made only 30.8 percent of his 3-point tries last season and is a 32.1 percent career shooter from beyond the arc.

But Mack is considered an enthusiastic defender, which should be a benefit to the team. Magic point guards generally have not defended well in recent seasons.