Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE

Here is the official word from the Magic:

Orlando roster now stands at 15; Opening Night on Nov. 2

 

Orlando, FL – The Orlando Magic have waived forward Justin Harper, forward Chris Johnson and guard-forward Quentin Richardson, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today.  Orlando’s roster now stands at 15 players.

 

Harper (6’9”, 225, 8/30/89) played in six preseason games, averaging 3.7 ppg. and 2.5 rpg. in 13.8 minpg.  He was originally acquired by Orlando on June 23, 2011 from Cleveland in exchange for two future second round picks.  Harper appeared in 14 games last season during his rookie campaign, averaging 1.4 ppg. in 6.0 minpg.

 

Johnson (6’6”, 201, 4/29/90) was signed as a free agent by Orlando on October 9.  He appeared in four preseason games, averaging 1.8 ppg. in 8.5 minpg.  Johnson played in 138 career games during four years at the University of Dayton, averaging 10.6 ppg., 6.1 rpg. and 1.1 apg. in 24.9 minpg.

 

Richardson (6’6”, 228, 4/13/80) played in three preseason outings, averaging 2.3 ppg. and 1.3 rpg. in 8.7 minpg.  He was originally signed as a free agent by Orlando on July 13, 2010 and appeared in 105 regular season games with the Magic (22 starts), averaging 4.4 ppg. and 2.9 rpg. in 17.3 minpg.  A 12-year veteran, Richardson has appeared in 782 career regular season games with the L.A. Clippers, Phoenix, New York, Miami and Orlando, averaging 10.3 ppg., 4.7 rpg. and 1.5 apg. in 26.5 minpg.

 

Orlando opens the 2012-13 regular season on Friday, Nov. 2 vs. Denver at Amway Center.  Game time is 7 p.m.  For ticket information, call (407) 89-MAGIC or log on to OrlandoMagic.com.

This, of course, means big man Josh McRoberts and wing DeQuan Jones have made the team.

(Andrew Melnick is Howard the Dunk’s lead blogger, ESPN Florida’s Magic Insider (http://ESPNFlorida.com) and is the co-host of the ESPNFlorida.com Insiders Show Sunday mornings at 10:00 am EST. Subscribe to his RSS feed, add him on Facebook and follow him onTwitter to follow him daily. You can download the HTD app here)

Douglas Jones-US PRESSWIRE

Now that the Orlando Magic have hired Jacque Vaughn to be their next head coach, they are expected to “step up efforts to find their All-Star center a new team,” according to Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio.

Amico says that while “some sources said the Magic could possibly hold on to Howard until the February trading deadline, the majority seem to think the team will again try working the phones to see what develops.”

Amico again names the Cavaliers as a potential third team in a Dwight Howard to Los Angeles deal. The potential deal would send Andrew Bynum from the Lakers to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

However, the Houston Rockets remain the team most likely to be involved in a Howard deal. Whether or not they “roll the dice,” as Howard would say, and try to acquire Howard themselves of use their assets to send Howard to Los Angeles and bring Bynum to Houston remains to be scene.

(Andrew Melnick is Howard the Dunk’s lead blogger, ESPN Florida’s Magic Insider (http://ESPNFlorida.com) and is the co-host of the ESPNFlorida.com Insiders Show Sunday mornings at 10:00 am EST. Subscribe to his RSS feed, add him on Facebook and follow him onTwitter to follow him daily. You can download the HTD app here)