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The Orlando Magic have signed veteran forward Adreian Payne, the team announced. Payne’s contract is what’s known as a two-way deal, allowing the Magic to maintain his NBA rights while he plays for their NBA G League club, the Lakeland Magic. Payne will be eligible to spend up to 45 days with the NBA’s Magic, not including time prior to start of Lakeland’s training camp or following Lakeland’s season.
Two-way contracts are new to the NBA beginning in the 2017/18 season.
The Atlanta Hawks made Payne, now 26, the 15th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. In three pro seasons split between Atlanta and the Minnesota Timberwolves, Payne has averaged four points and three boards per game on 39.9 percent shooting.
Payne starred for four seasons at Michigan State. As a senior, he averaged 16.4 points and 7.1 rebounds in 28.1 minutes per game.
It’s unusual to see a team use a two-way roster spot on a veteran such as Payne—they’re much more commonly used on younger, undrafted prospects—but nonetheless this move is a low-cost, low-risk way for Orlando to evaluate Payne’s fit and potential.