Magic sign veteran point guard Lue

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- The Orlando Magic believe they have found the final piece to their starting lineup, signing point guard Tyronn Lue on Wednesday.

Lue, who will join NBA scoring champ Tracy McGrady in the Magic's backcourt, averaged 8.6 points and 3.5 assists, both career bests, as a reserve for Washington last season. It will be his first chance to be an NBA starter, although the Magic expect rookie Reece Gaines to eventually take over at point guard.

The 6-foot Lue has started only 25 of his 207 career games, and all but one start came last year with the Wizards. He's averaged seven points and 2.9 assists over his five seasons in the league.

"Realizing the importance of the point guard position, we are ecstatic about signing Tyronn," Magic general manager John Gabriel said in a statement. "He had many options, but in the end him coming to Orlando was the right fit for everyone."

The Magic and Lue reached a verbal agreement on a two-year, $3-million contract on Friday, but it was those options to which Gabriel referred that delayed the signing -- and made Orlando nervous.

As late as Tuesday, Lue's agent said the market had shifted and the guard's price was rising beyond the Magic's offer. "His Lue's value is greater than that," Andy Miller said.

Orlando tried to sweeten its offer, trying to work a sign-and-trade deal to Washington with guard Darrell Armstrong as the bait. But that fell apart when the Wizards on Monday landed Gilbert Arenas, one of the prize point guards on the market. Arenas is a restricted free agent and Golden State can still match Washington's offer, but that isn't expected.

With Lue, Gaines and second-round draft pick Keith Bogans, the Magic replaced their entire backcourt except McGrady.

Jacque Vaughn, who started 48 games at point guard for Orlando, wasn't asked back. And fan favorite Darrell Armstrong is unlikely to return, as the Magic are leery of the 35-year-old free agent's age and contract demands.

Lue is the Magic's second free-agent acquisition of the offseason. Forward Juwan Howard signed a five-year contract last week.

 

Related information

Stories

NBA Free agent guide DeClercq re-signs with Magic

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video