Evan Fournier

Orlando Magic Rumors: C.J. Wilcox seeking D-League rehab stint

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:45 p.m. ET

Fansided, Philip Rossman-Reich/FanSided via Orlando Magic Daily

The Orlando Magic have found little time to play young shooter C.J. Wilcox. Nursing a minor injury, he is reportedly hoping for a D-League rehab stint.

The Orlando Magic looked to load up on some shooting this summer and spied an opportunity with the L.A. Clippers to make a minor deal that could have some potential to develop.

The Magic had an expiring deal in Devyn Marble to deal before they likely planned to cut him and the Clippers were looking to clear some cap space. And so the Magic acquired C.J. Wilcox, a sharpshooting guard from Washington, was buried deep in the Clippers’ loaded guard rotation.

In the games he did get some meaningful minutes, Wilcox showed an ability to hit shots and was a stellar shooter when given the opportunity.

Orlando was at least an opportunity to compete for minutes and help fill a need.

As perhaps expected, Wilcox has struggled to break into the Magic’s veteran-heavy rotation. Some of it, though, might be due to injury.

Shams Charania of The Vertical reports Wilcox had requested a D-League stint in Erie to get some playing time and get back into game shape after experiencing Achilles tendinitis.

With the Magic having ample practice time, it seems unlikely Orlando would send Wilcox to the D-League. Their posture with the D-League has always shown a preference for having players stay with the main roster to practice and improve against NBA players. Even though there is no substitution for playing in games.

If the Magic’s D-League team were in nearby Lakeland like it will be next year, the Magic likely would have given young players like Wilcox, Stephen Zimmerman and even Mario Hezonja a spot game in Lakeland before rejoining the team for practice the next day. That is an advantage the Magic do not have yet.

With the team in Erie, the Magic prefer sending their young players down for an extended period of time — like while the team is on a long road trip. That opportunity may be gone for Wilcox.

It does not seem likely the Magic will grant this request. Not at this moment, anyways.

Wilcox has struggled to crack the rotation with Evan Fournier, Jodie Meeks and C.J. Watson all getting minutes at shooting guard ahead of him.

Wilcox is averaging 1.0 points per game in 5.7 minutes per game across 10 games. He has not gotten any significant playing time or any meaningful playing time this year.

The Magic took a low-risk gamble trading away Marble for Wilcox. His contract expires at the end of the year as the team opted not to pick up his fourth-year option this October.