Magic to bring Dleague team to Florida in 2017

[Optimus_Steel]

The Orlando Magic hope to have a Florida-based NBA Development League team begin play in the 2017-18 season, the Orlando Sentinel has learned.

A team spokesman said the Magic sent requests for proposals today to eight potential locations to serve as a home base for the team. Four of the potential locations are in Central Florida: Daytona Beach, which has the Ocean Center arena; Kissimmee (Silver Spurs Arena); Orlando/ESPN Wide World of Sports (HP Field House) and Orlando/UCF (CFE Arena).

The others are: Lakeland (The Lakeland Center); Estero (Germain Arena); Fort Myers (Lee Civic Center) and Jacksonville (Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena).

Having a D-League affiliate within Florida has been a goal of the Magic's ever since Rob Hennigan became the Magic’s general manager following the 2011-12 season.

A minor-league team nearby would make it easier for younger players on the Magic roster to gain playing experience and would make it easier for Magic players who are returning from injury to work their way back into basketball shape.

When asked about the D-League, Magic coach Scott Skiles offered an example of how having an affiliate within the state would help the Magic.

Skiles said: “If we played on a Tuesday and didn’t play again until Friday, and a couple of guys weren’t getting that many minutes and Wednesday they wanted to just go get a quick game in and come back, it’s much easier if they can just hop in a car and go. One of our staff drives them over, they go to the shootaround, they play in the game, they drive back that night and they’re back in their own bed. It makes sense.”

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-seek-to-bring-d-league-team-to-florida-20160106-story.html


Yes perfect sense lets do this. Put the team in Kissimmee or Disney.

[JaxMagic]

I think that would be pretty cool for Jacksonville.

[Howard Mass]

The Magic have been wanting to do this and think it would be very beneficial.

Eventually, each NBA team is going to have their own D-League team.

[rcklsscognition]

Any 3 of the Orlando locations look like a good idea. I'd want to keep it here, just makes it easier for us to send guys there. Daytona would be interesting. I looked at a few Erie games, attendance was at 3k or so. Not sure I'd ever go watch a game TBH.

[Smitty731]

Considering I live close to ESPN Wide World of Sports and work for Disney and could probably get deeply discounted tickets, I hope the team ends up there.

[OrlDave]

Any 3 of the Orlando locations look like a good idea. I'd want to keep it here, just makes it easier for us to send guys there. Daytona would be interesting. I looked at a few Erie games, attendance was at 3k or so. Not sure I'd ever go watch a game TBH.

if the tix were 5 bucks, I might check one out occasionally.

[UCF]

I think Daytona is the best option. Osceola heritage park is not a great facility for basketball.

[GameOver25]

With the way we've been playing lately we have our own D-League squad right here in Orlando.

[Tayswagzzz]

With the way we've been playing lately we have our own D-League squad right here in Orlando.

Lmao +1

[orlandojnf]

Estero or fort myers please!


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[Def Swami]

I'd go to games. Wide World of Sports would be the most ideal for Central Floridians, but if I'm rolling through Daytona or Jacksonville, I'd stop for a game.

[Nyce_1]

Lakeland!!!!

[Orlwillbeback]

Id go see one

[shinoff2183]

Damn living in erie pa. I liked having the bayhawks affiliated with the magic. Kinda cool. I can see why it makes sense to be alot closer to the team though so whatever!

[BadMofoPimp]

This is awesome. Really helpful for players coming back from injuries. A few weeks ago, Brandon Jennings played in the D-League to prep for his return to the NBA after 8 months off. Being their D-League team was a 2 hour drive, Drummond, Reggie Jackson and Stan Van Gundy all made the trip as well to root for him. That would be awesome to see with the Magic as well.