Source: Magic Will Assign Daniel Orton to NBA D-League

Filed under: Magic, NBA Transactions, NBA D-League, New Mexico Thunderbirds

Daniel Orton, one of five first round picks out of the University of Kentucky this past draft, will be assigned to the NBA Development League's New Mexico Thunderbirds from the Orlando Magic, according to a source.

Orton, the 29th overall pick in this year's draft, has been hampered by a knee injury sustained earlier this year and has yet to play in a game for the team that drafted him based purely on his size and potential after averaging a paltry 3.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks as a freshman for the Wildcats.

In five starts for the Magic's Summer League entry, Orton averaged a disappointing 3.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks while hitting less than 15 percent (4-of-27) of his field goal attempts.

While it's been reported that Orton recently returned to full-court drills, his conditioning has always been a question and it likely didn't help that he hasn't been able to practice.

With the Thunderbirds, Orton will be able to ease back into game shape while also testing out the offensive repertoire Magic big man coach Patrick Ewing has been teaching him. His D-League coaches might also be able to teach him a few tricks as both head coach Darvin Ham and assistant Sean Rooks -- who played his final NBA season as a member of the Magic -- have NBA experience in the post.

 

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Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/11/30/daniel-orton-assigned-to-d-league-by-magic/

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