The Orlando Magic have signed free-agent big man Malik Allen to complete their training-camp roster. Allen, 32, is a nine-year veteran of seven NBA teams, most recently the Denver Nuggets, for whom he made 51 appearances last season. Allen owns career averages of 5 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks, on 44 percent shooting from the floor.
The 6-foot-10 Allen will be the Magic's only non-roster invitee; in past years, they have invited as many as three free agents to compete for a roster spot.
Curiously, Allen scored only 105 points all of last season, but 12 of them came in a mere 24 minutes in two games against Orlando. In 20 career games against the Magic, he has averaged 8.3 points and 4 rebounds on 50.7 percent shooting. The scoring average is his highest against any NBA team.
Allen is primarily a jump-shooter; Synergy Sports Technology classifies two-thirds of his shot attempts as jumpers, converting them at a 40.8 percent clip. Due to his lack of lift and poor touch, he is well below par as a finisher at the basket, converting just 11 of his 25 shots at point-blank range, according to HoopData.
As I wrote this morning, whomever the Magic invite to camp will face long odds to actually make the team. That seems especially true for Allen, who would clearly be the team's seventh big man to use only in case of emergency. But he is regarded as a hard worker and a good locker-room presence, which works in his favor.
In case you're curious, Allen will wear uniform no. 35.