Spruce Derden-US PRESSWIRE

Here is the official word from the Magic:

MAGIC WAIVE VON WAFER

 

Orlando, FL — The Orlando Magic have announced that the team has waived guard Von Wafer.

Wafer (6’5”, 209, 7/21/85) appeared in 33 games (one start) with Orlando this season, averaging 5.9 ppg. and 1.4 rpg. in 14.2 minpg.  He also played in one playoff game, tallying six points and one rebound.

Originally selected in the second round (39^th overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft by the L.A. Lakers, Wafer has played in 200 career regular season games with the Lakers, L.A. Clippers, Denver, Portland, Houston, Boston and Orlando, averaging 5.3 ppg. and 1.2 rpg. in 12.4 minpg.  Wafer has also appeared in 17 career playoff outings, averaging 6.6 ppg. in 11.3 minpg.

(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

Throughout a good portion of the season, Orlando got very poor production from their wings. Jason Richardson, who signed a four-year deal worth about $25 million just before training camp, had a poor season, averaging a career-low 11.6 points per game while shooting a career-low 40.8% from the field, a career-low 59.4%(!) from the charity stripe and 36.8% from beyond the arc, his lowest percentage since 2007. Hedo Turkoglu was even worse, putting up just 10.9 points, 4.4 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game while shooting just 41.5% from the field. J.J. Redick is the only Magic wing who deserves praise and even he was inconsistent. Redick averaged 11.6 points per game and shot 41.8% from beyond the arc.

Richardson has three years left on his deal while Turkoglu is owed $11,815,850 next season and his salary for the 2013-14 season is unguaranteed. Redick is owed $6,190,000, but the Magic can terminate his deal if they wish.

Von Wafer, who put up 5.9 ppg on 45.2% shooting in just 33 games, could make $1,146,337 next season, but his salary is unguaranteed. Quentin Richardson, who averaged 4.5 ppg in 18.0 minutes per game, will make $2,627,400 next season and has a player option worth $2,808,600 for the following season. Rookie DeAndre Liggins, who appeared in just 17 games, has a qualifying offer worth $937,195.

Obviously, the Magic would love to ship Turkoglu and Richardson, probably both Jason and Quentin, out of town to make improvements to the roster or clear cap room, but those scenarios don’t seem realistic.

Instead, the Magic will have to get creative in the pursuit of an upgrade on the wing.

First, we’ll take a look at a few unrestricted free agents.

To continue reading this story, click here.

(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)