Magic plan to sign Hall for rest of season
The Orlando Magic are planning to bring back forward/center Donta Hall for the remainder of the season, league sources confirmed Saturday with the Orlando Sentinel.
The Magic will use an injury hardship exception granted by the NBA to sign Hall.
The Magic had sought to sign free-agent forward Admiral Schofield to a 10-day contract using the exception, but the deal fell through.
So Orlando pivoted back to Hall. A hardship exception can be granted when a team has at least four players who have missed three or more games with an injury or illness and are expected to remain out for two more weeks. The team is then allowed to go over its roster limit.
Since Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz were ruled out for the season months ago, the Magic have five other players who have missed at least three games: Michael Carter-Williams (ankle sprain), James Ennis (sore calf ), Chuma Okeke (ankle sprain), Otto Porter Jr. (foot pain) and Terrence Ross (back spasms).
Magic coach Steve Clifford said last week those players may not be back this season.
The Magic originally signed Hall to a pair of 10-day contracts, and he gave the Magic rebounding and energy during his eight appearances with the team. Hall averaged 4.4 rebounds in 11.5 minutes, with his best game coming in his debut when he posted nine points, seven rebounds and two blocks in 16:46 in a 115-106 win April 14 over the Bulls.
Orlando signed free agent small forward Ignas Brazdeikis to a 10-day contract and released Hall on May 2, the day his second deal was set to expire.
With Okeke out with a sprained ankle and starting center Wendell Carter dealing with an eye abrasion, Hall provides some depth at both the power forward and center positions.