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Orlando Magic: 25 Best Players To Play For The Magic

By Phil Watson

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 11: A general view of Amway Center during the game between the Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Amway Center on December 11, 2015 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 11: A general view of Amway Center during the game between the Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Amway Center on December 11, 2015 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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Basketball: Orlando Magic Nick Anderson (25) in action, layup vs Detroit Pistons at Orlando Arena. Orlando, FL 4/8/1994 CREDIT: Bill Frakes (Photo by Bill Frakes /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X45917 )
Basketball: Orlando Magic Nick Anderson (25) in action, layup vs Detroit Pistons at Orlando Arena. Orlando, FL 4/8/1994 CREDIT: Bill Frakes (Photo by Bill Frakes /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X45917 ) /

Nick Anderson. 12. player. 38. <strong>How acquired:</strong> 11th overall pick from Illinois, 1989 NBA Draft.. SG-SF. 1989-99

The NBA didn’t do the expansion Orlando Magic any favors prior to their inaugural season, assigning the final two picks after the nine non-playoff teams from the previous season to the new entries in Minnesota and Orlando.

The Orlando Magic made the most of the 11th overall pick, selecting Illinois swingman Nick Anderson, who became a franchise fixture for a decade.

ORL_12_ANDERSON
ORL_12_ANDERSON /

Anderson was fifth in the NBA in 3-pointers with 96 in 1998-99 and was with the Magic’s first NBA Finals club in 1995, which ended with a four-game sweep at the hands of the

Houston Rockets

, a sweep set into motion in part by Anderson clanking four straight free throws late in regulation of Game 1.

Anderson’s NBA Finals experience was nightmarish–he averaged 12.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.0 steals in 40.3 minutes per game, but shot just .360/.323/3-for-10 in the four games.

His free-throw shooting never really came back and his role diminished. In August 1999, he was dealt to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for guard Tariq Abdul-Wahad and a 2003 first-round pick.

In 10 seasons with the Magic, Anderson averaged 15.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals in 32.4 minutes per game, shooting .454/.363/.673.

He was later traded to the Vancouver Grizzlies on draft night in 2001 and to the Cleveland Cavaliers on draft night in 2002.

Waived by the Cavaliers prior to the start of the 2002-03 season, Anderson opted for retirement.

Next: Free Agent Signing Part Of Finals Squad

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