The Orlando Magic formally announced the signings of four players Friday, continuing their dramatic roster turnover. The team signed 2011 Draft picks Justin Harper and DeAndre Liggins and, separately, veterans Larry Hughes and Gabe Pruitt. The team declined to disclose terms of any of the deals, but it's quite likely all four players received non-guaranteed contracts and will have to earn their way onto the roster during training camp, which opened earlier Friday afternoon.
UPDATE: Harper's contract is fully guaranteed for $1.2 million over two years, reports Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel, citing two sources. That Harper received a guaranteed contract is not a total surprise, even though he is a second-round draft choice: the Magic had him high on their draft board and gave up two future second-round picks to get him. The guaranteed deal only underscores how highly they value him as a prospect.
The team announced Hughes will wear uniform number 20, while Pruitt has chosen number 13. Though the press release for the rookie signings did not include uniform numbers, the team's website lists Harper's as 32 and Liggins' as 34.
Word of Hughes and Pruitt coming aboard began spreading Thursday morning, so Friday's announcement merely serves as confirmation. That Orlando signed its draft picks shouldn't come as a surprise.
Orlando is thus well stocked with wings for training camp. Hughes, Pruitt, and Liggins figure to see time at both guard positions, while Harper can play small forward. They join a rotation that already includes Jameer Nelson and Chris Duhon and point guard; J.J. Redick at shooting guard; and Hedo Turkoglu at small forward.
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