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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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ORLANDO, UNITED STATES: Orlando Magic forward Derek Strong (L) is fouled by Los Angeles Lakers forward Dennis Rodman during the second period of the game at the Arena in Orlando, FL., 21 March 1999. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) (TONY RANZE/AFP/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, UNITED STATES: Orlando Magic forward Derek Strong (L) is fouled by Los Angeles Lakers forward Dennis Rodman during the second period of the game at the Arena in Orlando, FL., 21 March 1999. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) (TONY RANZE/AFP/Getty Images) /

1996-2000. Derek Strong. 21. player. 38. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Free agent, Aug. 26, 1996.. PF

The Orlando Magic brought in forward Derek Strong as a free agent in August 1996, about a month after he was released by the Los Angeles Lakers, and he spent four years with the club as a valuable reserve.

Strong’s best season was in 1997-98, when he averaged 12.7 points and 7.4 rebounds a game, but was limited to 58 games because of injuries.

In four years with the Magic, Strong averaged 8.4 points and 5.6 rebounds in 22 minutes a game, shooting .432/.043/.779. He does not appear on any of the club’s all-time lists.

On draft night in 2000, Strong was traded along with forward Corey Maggette and the rights to 10th overall pick Keyon Dooling to the Los Angeles Clippers for a first-round pick in 2006.

Strong, who played three years at Xavier, was taken in the second round of the 1990 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, who waived him in March 1992 without him ever playing for them.

He spent the 1990-91 season in Spain and signed a 10-day contract with the Washington Bullets in March 1992.

He returned to Washington as a free agent in October 1992, but was waived during training camp.

He joined the Milwaukee Bucks in February 1993 on a pair of 10-day contracts before being signed for the season and on draft night in June 1994 was dealt with Blue Edwards to the Boston Celtics for Ed Pinckney and the draft rights to second-round pick Andrei Fetisov.

In October 1995, Strong signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Lakers.

After leaving Orlando, Strong played one season with the Clippers before he was waived prior to the start of the 2001-02 season.

He returned in 2002-03 with the Columbus Riverdragons in the D-League before retiring. He owned Strong Racing, which ran a car on ASA and NASCAR circuits.

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