ORLANDO, FLA- According to Orlando’s President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman, the Magic (24-34, 13th in East) have officially signed free agent center Goga Bitadze to a two-year contract. Per team policy, the salary of the deal is only disclosed between Orlando and Bitadze, which marks the most recent transaction the Magic have made since the 2023 NBA trade deadline.
For reference, Orlando traded center Mo Bamba to Los Angeles in exchange for guard Patrick Beverley, a 2024 second-round pick (Via DEN), and cash considerations on February 9th. Just days later, the Magic waived Beverley and veteran guard Terrence Ross, who have each become midseason unrestricted free agents. In doing so, Orlando created two open roster spaces, one of which was used to sign Bitadze.
Since being selected with the No. 18 pick in the 2019 draft by the Pacers, Bitadze has been a solid-two way center in Indiana. In 170 career games with the Pacers, Bitadze averaged 11.5 MPG, 4.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 0.8 APG, and 0.9 APG while shooting 48.0% from the field, 25.6% from three-point range, and 67.9% from the free-throw line. With the midseason trade of all-star forward Domantas Sabonis, Bitadze showed flashes of stardom, averaging a career-high 14.6 MPG, 7.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.1 APG, and 0.9 BPG in 50 games (16 starts).
Similar to last season, Indiana was active at the 2023 trade deadline, participating in a four-team trade with Milwaukee, Brooklyn, and Phoenix. Overall, the Pacers acquired veteran guard George Hill, forward Jordan Nwora, center Serge Ibaka, and three unprotected second-round picks (2023-2025) from the Bucks. In order to accommodate Hill, Nwora, and Ibaka, Indiana needed to waive three players, and later Bitadze, along with forwards Terry Taylor and James Johnson.
Now in Orlando, Bitadze is expected to serve as a key backup in the Magic’s frontcourt, especially for any emergency situations. Currently, the Magic have Wendell Carter Jr., Bol Bol, and Moritz Wagner as the only centers on the roster, so Bitadze will certainly receive playing time alongside his aforementioned teammates. With just 24 games left in the season, it remains to be seen how much Bitadze will play, but at just 23 years old, the 6’11”, 250-pound center may remain with the Magic past this season.
Orlando Magic on Twitter: “welcome to the O @GogaBiitadze 🪄 https://t.co/N01y0pvW9g” / Twitter