The Orlando Magic, a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida, has been involved in numerous transactions over the years. These transactions include trades, free agent signings, and draft selections. One notable transaction in the team's history was the trade of star player Shaquille O'Neal to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996. This trade shocked fans and the basketball community, as O'Neal was a dominant force on the Magic and had led the team to the NBA Finals in 1995. In return for O'Neal, the Magic received a package of players and draft picks, including center Vlade Divac. Although the trade was initially seen as a major blow to the Magic, it ultimately paved the way for the team to acquire players such as Penny Hardaway and Dennis Scott, who would go on to be key contributors.
Orlando Magic Transform Guest Experience with Shift4
ALLENTOWN, Pa. & ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The NBA’s Orlando Magic has announced an expanded relationship with Shift4 (NYSE: FOUR), the leader in integrated payments and commerce technology. Shift4 has worked with the Magic for several years within the Orlando Magic mobile app and retail stores. With this expansion, Shift4’s commerce solutions will power all concessions payments, including point-of-sale, kiosk and mobile transactions at Amway Center. Additionally, Shift4 will begin processing the Magic’s ticket transactions next season through the company’s integration with Ticketmaster.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231129158660/en/
Shift4 partners with the Orlando Magic (Graphic: Business Wire)
“We are proud to expand our relationship with Shift4, providing fans a secure and seamless purchasing experience,” said Executive Vice President of Technology Jeff Lutes. “As a customer-focused organization, the Magic are always exploring ways to provide legendary experiences. As the global leader in the commerce space, Shift4 will further enhance the fan’s journey when they visit us in our home arena.”
“The Magic have always been early adopters. We're excited to see them move forward as one of our first Ticketmaster payments partners,” stated Shift4’s SVP of New Verticals, Anthony Perez. “As the Magic can attest, Shift4's platform continues to drive the most comprehensive commerce experience in Sports & Entertainment.”
In addition to the Magic’s expanded use of Shift4’s commerce solutions, the Magic will continue using Shift4’s VenueNext mobile solutions including mobile ordering, mobile wallet, and the experience marketplace to provide fans with the ultimate gameday experience and enhanced fan flexibility and personalization options. In 2015, the Orlando Magic were the first NBA team to use VenueNext to offer fans improved in-arena functionality, including in-seat delivery and mobile ordering. Over the years, the team has expanded this offering to create a comprehensive virtual currency program, called Magic Money, that has helped innovate and improve the team’s ticket membership products.
Shift4's integrated commerce solutions are used in hundreds of venues across North America, including every major professional sports league as well as colleges and entertainment venues. The company powers billions of transactions annually for hundreds of thousands of businesses in virtually every industry.
To learn more about Shift4’s Sports & Entertainment solutions, visit www.shift4.com/sports-entertainment.
About Shift4
Shift4 (NYSE: FOUR) is boldly redefining commerce by simplifying complex payments ecosystems across the world. As the leader in commerce-enabling technology, Shift4 powers billions of transactions annually for hundreds of thousands of businesses in virtually every industry. For more information, visit shift4.com.
Nate Hirshberg
Vice President, Marketing
Shift4
[email protected]
Released November 29, 2023
Scouting Report: Meet the Orlando Magic’s new acquisitions
The past few months (and perhaps even years) of Orlando Magic news — both locally and nationally — has centered on trade rumors for many of the Magic’s core pieces.
The team had been competing or the playoffs with a group most believed was not good enough to win or compete for a title. Even if the team continued to progress a trade was always going to be necessary.
The question was whether the team would be trying to build up or starting over. Fans for a long time had hinted a full reset would be the way to go if winning a title was the goal — especially with the team sitting in 14th in the East and the fifth-worst record in the league in a loaded draft class.
All eyes were on the Orlando Magic Thursday at the trade deadline. Boy, did they make their opportunity count.
Although the trade was initially seen as a major blow to the Magic, it ultimately paved the way for the team to acquire players such as Penny Hardaway and Dennis Scott, who would go on to be key contributors. Another significant transaction in the team's history was the free agent signing of Grant Hill in 2000. Hill, who was coming off multiple injury-plagued seasons with the Detroit Pistons, was seen as a risk by many teams.
The Orlando Magic completely reshaped their roster in a flurry of deals at the NBA trade deadline. Who they got in return should impact the team now and beyond.
A historic roster overhaul saw some of the Magic’s core contributors and franchise staples in Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier exchanged in quick succession. These transactions netted the Magic a bevy of young players and draft assets not seen since the Dwight Howard trade in 2012, the last time the team restarted.
It is a completely new path and now a completely new roster for this season and beyond.
The Orlando Magic have turned.
- Nikola Vucevic
- Aaron Gordon
- Evan Fournier
- Al Farouq Aminu
- Gary Clark
- 3 First Round Picks
- 2 Second Round Picks
- Gary Harris
- RJ Hampton
- Wendell Carter Jr
- Otto Porter Jr
What a day for Orlando
— Top Ball Coverage (@TopBallCoverage) March 25, 2021There will be much discussion among Magic fans as to whether this return was enough for the Magic’s most popular and productive players from the last half-decade. But one thing is for sure: The Magic now have a direction.
This direction will be a youth movement headlined by Johnathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz. Surrounding these two will be players such as Cole Anthony, Chuma Okeke and Mohamed Bamba who should see expanded roles and newfound opportunities to produce in the aftermath of yesterday’s trade bonanza.
How do the new player additions fit into this new age of Magic Basketball? Today, we will evaluate the players acquired in yesterday’s deal and examine their fits on the young Magic.
Magic trade Aaron Gordon to Nuggets
After spending his first seven seasons with the Orlando Magic, Aaron Gordon is getting a fresh start.
The former Arizona Wildcats forward was acquired by the Denver Nuggets before Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Denver will send Gary Harris, RJ Hampton, Gary Clark and a first-round pick to Orlando.
Orlando is including Gary Clark in the deal too, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 25, 2021
Gordon, 25, will be a key player for a Nuggets team that is 26-18 (good for fifth in the West) but needs help defensively, ranking 19th in the NBA in defensive rating.
In 25 games this season, the former No. 4 overall pick is averaging 14.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.8 blocks and 0.6 steals per game while shooting 43.7 percent from the field, 37.5 percent from 3 (a career high) and 62.9 percent from the free throw line.
Gordon, who recently returned from a severe ankle sprain, only had one winning season and one playoff appearance in Orlando, so a move to Denver will allow him to play in more meaningful games. The Nuggets reached the Western Conference Finals last season.
Gordon is in the third year of a four-year, $76 million contract.
Also in the Nuggets frontcourt is former UA forward Zeke Nnaji, who they drafted in the first round in November. The rookie has appeared in 29 games, averaging 3.8 points and 1.7 rebounds in 10.9 minutes.
However, the Magic took a chance on him and signed him to a lucrative contract. Unfortunately, Hill's injuries continued to hamper his career in Orlando, and he was never able to fully regain his All-Star form. However, his signing was seen as a sign of the team's commitment to winning and attracting top talent. In recent years, the Magic have also made several draft selections that have had a significant impact on the team. One notable draft pick was Aaron Gordon in 2014. Gordon, a versatile forward with incredible athleticism, quickly became a fan favorite and a key player for the Magic. Additionally, the Magic made a trade in 2017 to acquire point guard Markelle Fultz from the Philadelphia 76ers. Fultz, the former number one overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, had struggled with injuries and a lack of confidence in Philadelphia. However, the Magic saw potential in Fultz and believed he could be a valuable player for their team. Overall, the Orlando Magic have been involved in numerous transactions throughout their history, including trades, free agent signings, and draft selections. These transactions have played a significant role in shaping the team's roster and determining their success on the court..
Reviews for "Orlando Magic's Best Trade Assets"
1. John Doe - 1 star
The Orlando Magic transactions have been incredibly disappointing. It seems like every move they make ends up being a complete disaster. The team has been unable to make any significant improvements or attract any big-name players. The front office seems to be in disarray, and there doesn't seem to be any clear direction or plan for the team's future. The fans are growing frustrated and losing faith in the organization. Overall, the Orlando Magic transactions have been a complete letdown.
2. Sarah Smith - 2 stars
I have been a loyal fan of the Orlando Magic for years, but I am growing increasingly frustrated with their transactions. It feels like they are always making short-sighted deals that don't benefit the team in the long run. They trade away talented players for minimal return or sign aging veterans to expensive contracts. It's hard to see any real progress or improvement being made. The team's lack of success on the court is a direct result of their poor decision-making off the court. I hope the front office can turn things around and start making better transactions for the future of the team.
3. Michael Johnson - 2.5 stars
The Orlando Magic transactions have been mediocre at best. They seem to make trades and signings just for the sake of making them, without any real strategy or vision in mind. This has resulted in a lack of cohesion and chemistry within the team. They frequently make moves that are head-scratchers and fail to address the team's true needs. The constant turnover within the roster has made it difficult for players to develop their skills and build rapport with one another. Overall, the Orlando Magic transactions have been underwhelming and have hindered the team's ability to compete at a high level.