Magic Ex R.J. Hampton Signs With Rival Heat
ORLANDO - R.J. Hampton is back in Florida.
The Miami Heat announced that it has signed Hampton to a two-way contract.
Hampton, 22, joined the Orlando Magic as a rookie two years ago along with Gary Harris in a trade that sent Aaron Gordon to the Denver Nuggets.
Hampton started off strong in his Magic tenure, looking like someone Orlando could work with at the foundation of its rebuild. However, as the Magic began acquiring more talent and players became healthy, Hampton saw a decrease in playing time.
Orlando Magic guard R.J. Hampton against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Hampton started the season as a guard coming off the bench in Jamahl Mosley's rotation. But once Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony returned from injury in December, Hampton saw many DNPs.
In the past two months, Hampton has played just once for more than five minutes in a game. It came on Jan. 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, when the Magic was without several players due to suspension from the Moe Wagner-Killian Hayes fight against the Detroit Pistons.
Hampton signed with the Pistons in February and played 21 games for them down the stretch, averaging 7.3 points per game.
Now, Hampton is expected to join the Heat just in time for training camp, which begins next week. Hampton's Heat visits the Magic for the first time this season on Dec. 20 at Amway Center. Then, the Heat and Magic plays twice in the new calendar year on Jan. 12 in Miami at the Kaseya Center and on Jan. 21 back in Orlando.
