The Orlando Magic are a young team a lot of people expect to take a step forward this year and compete for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Their current roster currently sits at 15 players, but they are looking to bring in more for training camp. One of the players they might be bringing in is Greg Stiemsma, according to Darren Wolfson of 1500ESPN.com.
The report states that the Magic and Stiemsma have not reached a deal yet but they are close. If a deal were to get done it would likely be a make-good deal that is non-guaranteed and would provide Stiemsma with a chance to earn a roster spot in training camp.
Stiemsma is a 29-year-old four-year veteran who was with the Toronto Raptors a season ago. Stiemsma was buried on the Raptors bench and only saw a total of 66 minutes in 17 games in the 2014-15 season. The former Wisconsin Badger had his best season in 2012-13 with the Minnesota Timberwolves where he played in 76 games (19 starts) and averaged 4.0 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Stiemsma has never been with a team for more than a season and has also played with the Boston Celtics and the New Orleans Pelicans.
Despite Stiemsma being a very replicable NBA player he might actually have a shot at making the Magic's roster. Stiemsma is only the second true center that will be in training camp with Orlando, and he is actually a pretty good rim protector. Nikola Vucevic will start, and behind him currently is 7-footer Jason Smith who has the size to play center but is more of a power forward. The Magic could decide to go with Smith as their backup center going into the season, but if Stiemsma shows them something in camp, assuming he signs, he could force his way not only onto the roster but into some minutes.
