ORLANDO (www.sportsdayjax.com) - The Orlando Magic have exercised their team option on center Goga Bitadze for the 2023-24 season, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.
In addition, Orlando has declined its team options on Michael Carter-Williams and Admiral Schofield.
Bitadze (6’11”, 230, 7/20/99) played in 38 combined games (one start) last season (2022-23) with both Indiana and Orlando, averaging 4.4 ppg., 3.6 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 12.0 minpg., while shooting .552 (69-125) from the floor.
He appeared in 21 games with the Pacers, averaging 3.3 ppg. and 2.3 rpg. in 9.6 minpg. Bitadze was waived by Indiana on Feb. 9, then signed as a free agent by Orlando on Feb. 13. He played in 17 games (one start) with the Magic, averaging 5.8 ppg., 5.2 rpg. and 1.2 apg. in 15.0 minpg.
Bitadze scored in double figures six times (five times with Orlando), including a season-high 14 points on Oct. 22 @ Detroit and had 10+ rebounds twice, including a career-high 15 rebounds on Oct. 22 @ Detroit and on Apr. 7 @ Brooklyn.
Originally selected in the first round (18th overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft by Indiana, Bitadze has played in 187 career NBA regular season games (22 starts) with Indiana and Orlando, averaging 4.9 ppg. and 3.0 rpg. in 11.9 minpg.
A native of Georgia, Bitadze has been playing against professional competition since he was 16 years old. Prior to being drafted by Indiana in 2019, he spent his international career playing in Georgia, Serbia and Montenegro. Bitadze has been a member of the Georgian National Team.
Bitadze wears No. 35 with the Orlando Magic.
OSCEOLA MAGIC NAME MURPHY HEAD COACH
The Osceola Magic, NBA G League affiliate of the Orlando Magic, have named Dylan Murphy head coach, Orlando Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.
Murphy will also serve as head coach of the Orlando Magic’s NBA 2K24 Summer League team in Las Vegas.
“Dylan (Murphy) has done a tremendous job in regard to player development in his role as an assistant coach with the Magic,” said Weltman. “He also brings past G League experience and we look forward to his continued leadership and seamless connectivity between the Osceola and Orlando Magic.”
Murphy has spent the last five seasons with the Orlando Magic, including three seasons as an assistant coach (2020-23). From 2018-20, he served as basketball operations analyst, providing analytics support to the coaching staff.
Murphy joined Orlando after serving as a graduate assistant with the men’s basketball team at Ball State University in 2018. Before his time with Ball State, he spent one season (2016-17) as an NBA G League scout for the Atlanta Hawks. In that role, he was responsible for identifying potential call-up candidates for the Hawks NBA roster.
Prior to Atlanta, Murphy spent three seasons (2013-16) as assistant coach of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA G League. In 2013-14, the Mad Ants won the NBA G League championship, posting a league-best record of 34-16 during the regular season and going a perfect 6-0 during their playoff run. In the following season (2014-15), the Mad Ants earned a second-straight trip to the G League Finals.
Murphy earned a bachelor’s degree in classics from Columbia University in 2012. He is married to his wife, Sarah.