2017 NBA free agency: Orlando Magic to sign veteran Arron Afflalo, according to report

The Orlando Magic have agreed in principle to bring back free-agent guard Arron Afflalo on a one-year deal. The deal is reported to be a league-minimum contract worth $2.1 million. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski first broke the news late Tuesday afternoon via Twitter:

Afflalo, 31, spent last season with the Sacramento Kings. Afflalo played in 61 contests for the Kings and averaged 8.4 points in just under 26 minutes per game. Afflalo shot 41% on three-point attempts last season, the fifth time in his career he finished the season with a 3PT% 40% or higher.

Of course, Afflalo spent two years in Orlando (2012-2014), coming to the Magic in the infamous Dwight Howard trade of 2012. In the ‘13-’14 season, Afflalo scored a career high 18.2 points per game for the Magic while shooting 42% from behind the arc. In fact, Afflalo posted career highs in minutes, field goal attempts, and points while a member of the Magic. Orlando traded Afflalo back to the Denver Nuggets on draft day in 2014 for the rights to Evan Fournier.

It’s worth noting that Orlando President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman and General Manager John Hammond have a history with Arron Afflalo. Weltman and Hammond helped draft Afflalo in 2007 when they were both a part of the Detroit Pistons organization.

While not the player he once was on the defensive end, Afflalo will still provide the Magic with an ability to shoot, score, and stretch the defense. I wrote about Orlando’s need for more floor spacing and shooting last week, and signing Afflalo was one of the suggestions I made for the Magic to help improve the roster.

Afflalo has spent a decade in the NBA playing for the Pistons, Nuggets, Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks, and the Kings. Afflalo’s career scoring average is 11.3 points per game on 45% shooting (38% 3PT%).