Three Duke Basketball One-And-Dones Appear in Projected Magic Rotation

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Wendell Carter Jr. and Paolo Banchero have been teammates ever since the Orlando Magic drafted the latter No. 1 overall at the 2022 NBA Draft. Now, that pair of Duke basketball products, each a full-time starter in the frontcourt, is set to play alongside a third Orlando Blue Devil in 2015 national champion and one-and-done guard Tyus Jones.
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On Monday evening, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Jones, a free agent this summer following stints with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies, Washington Wizards, and Phoenix Suns, has agreed to a one-year, $7 million contract with the Magic.
As NBA expert Evan Sidery noted in the following social media post, Jones is likely to be one of the first backcourt talents off the bench for the Magic next season, helping to solidify Orlando as a "strong East contender."
The Magic’s projected rotation:
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 1, 2025
Starters: Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr.
Second Unit: Tyus Jones, Jase Richardson, Anthony Black, Tristan Da Silva, Jonathan Isaac, Goga Bitadze
Orlando is looking the part of a strong East contender. pic.twitter.com/EYIiFbs7pz
Last season, Jones' lone campaign in Phoenix, the 29-year-old Minnesota native appeared in 81 regular season games. He averaged 10.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and only 1.1 turnovers per outing, leading the league in assist-to-turnover ratio for a sixth straight year.
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Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.
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