The Orlando Magic did not waive rookie combo guard DeAndre Liggins by Tuesday's 6 PM deadline, confirming the Kentucky product will remain on the team's roster for the rest of the regular season and fully guaranteeing his salary.
Though Liggins' contract won't become fully guaranteed in an official sense until Friday, NBA teams had only until Tuesday at 6 PM to waive players in time for them to clear waivers by the deadline. As such, some players around the league--including Derrick Caracter, Josh Davis, Mickell Gladness, Solomon Jones, and Malcolm Thomas--found themselves out of a job Tuesday evening.
Orlando selected Liggins with the 55th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft after a successful three-year career with the Kentucky Wildcats. Liggins earned a reputation as a staunch defender in the mold of fellow Chicago native Tony Allen and averaged 5.8 points, three rebounds, and 2.1 assists.
In his first media availabilty session following Orlando's selection of him, Liggins said he could defend point guards, shooting guards, and small forwards. His priorities were "to become a better ballhandler and better shooter." Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said Liggins' shooting is already NBA-caliber, noting he had "no problem" draining threes from beyond the NBA arc. "He's not gonna be that guy you don't have to guard," he said. "That's huge."
Liggins has yet to log any minutes at the NBA level, though he made a 10-minute appearance in Orlando's final preseason game, during which he tallied one point, one rebound, and four assists. The fact that the Magic decided to keep him despite not getting a chance to see him outside the practice court bodes well for his NBA future.
We invite you to follow Orlando Pinstriped Post on Twitter and like Orlando Pinstriped Post on Facebook.