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15-year NBA veteran added to Orlando's backcourt

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard Rod Strickland, General Manager John Gabriel announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed. Strickland will wear #31 and be available for tomorrow’s game vs. Boston. In addition, Orlando has waived guard Derrick Dial.

Strickland (6’3”, 185, 7/11/66) appeared in 47 regular season games with Minnesota last season, averaging 6.8 ppg., 4.6 apg. and 2.0 rpg. in 20.3 minpg. He started in eight outings, averaging 7.9 ppg., 5.8 apg., 1.8 rpg. and 1.13 stlpg. in 24.0 minpg. during that span. Strickland scored in double figures 15 times and dished out 10-plus assists three times. He scored the 14,000th point of his NBA career vs. Portland on Jan. 18.

“Rod (Strickland) brings us some valuable experience and fortifies our backcourt,” said Gabriel. “We’re looking forward to his contributions.”

Originally selected in the first round (19th overall) of the 1988 NBA Draft by New York, Strickland has appeared in 1,017 career games with New York, San Antonio, Portland, Washington, Miami and Minnesota, averaging 13.8 ppg., 7.6 apg., 3.8 rpg. and 1.55 stlpg. in 31.7 minpg. He has also appeared in 52 career playoff outings, averaging 13.4 ppg., 7.5 apg., 4.0 rpg. and 1.08 stlpg. in 30.7 minpg.

Strickland enjoyed his finest professional season in 1997-98, when he averaged 17.8 ppg., a career-best 10.5 apg., 5.3 rpg. and 1.66 stlpg. for Washington. He led the NBA in assists and was named to the All-NBA Second Team. That season, Strickland became the 25th player in NBA history to record 10,000 points and 5,000 assists. He has finished in the league’s top six in assists six times during his career. Strickland was also named to the NBA’s All-Rookie Second Team in 1988-89.