Orlando Magic Sign Former First-Round Pick

Further adding to their sizeable stockpile of big men, the Orlando Magic have signed former Indiana Pacers first-round pick (No. 18 overall, 2019) Goga Bitadze.

The Magic have announced that they have signed free agent center Goga Bitadze, who was recently waived by the Pacers.

Goga Bitadze was the 18th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He averaged 4.8 PPG and 2.8 RPG in 11.5 minutes (170 games) in four seasons with the Pacers.… https://t.co/pNnFDtp0qK pic.twitter.com/3MtYbyP98v

— Orlando Magic HQ (@OMagicHQ) February 14, 2023

The 6'11" Bitadze has spent his first 3½ seasons in the NBA with the Pacers, averaging 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in just 11.5 minutes per game over 170 contests. This year, big man has played in 21 games with Indiana, averaging 3.3 points and 2.3 rebounds. while shooting .519 (27-52) from the floor. 

He was waived by the Pacers after some trade deadline acquisitions last Thursday, and Pacers president Kevin Pritchard knew that Bitadze would find a new gig soon after they let him go.

"Normally, when it looks like a guy's gonna get waived, you get a lot of calls... We got a lot of calls on Goga - what is he like? He's going to get picked up. 100%."

- Kevin Pritchard on Goga Bitadze

— Josh Padmore (@JPadmore92) February 10, 2023

"Normally, when it looks like a guy's gonna get waived, you get a lot of calls... We got a lot of calls on Goga - what is he like? He's going to get picked up. 100%."

And of course, it's the Magic that have taken the opportunity to add to their already formidably jumbo-sized roster. 

Bitadze joins 6'10" Paolo Banchero, 6'10" Jonathan Isaac, 6'10" Franz Wagner, 6'11" Mo Wagner, and 7'2" Bol Bol, giving the Magic SIX players at 6'10" or taller. 

Photo: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports