Orlando, FL, July 15 - The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard Anthony Johnson, General Manager Otis Smith announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.
"Anthony addresses our need for depth at the point guard position," said Smith. "He is a veteran leader who has played in the NBA Finals. We are happy to add Anthony to the Magic family."
Johnson (6"3", 195, 10/2/74) played in 69 games (52 starts) last season with both Atlanta and Sacramento, averaging 5.6 ppg., 3.8 apg. and 2.0 rpg. in 22.2 minpg. He scored in double figures 13 times, including a season-high 19 points on Dec. 19 vs. Miami, and recorded double figures in assists four times, including a season-best 14 assists on Dec. 17 vs. Utah. Johnson ranked 13th in the NBA in assists-to-turnover ratio (3.12, 262/84).
Selected in the second round (40th overall) of the 1997 NBA Draft by Sacramento, Johnson has appeared in 682 career NBA regular season games with seven different teams (Sacramento, Atlanta, Orlando, Cleveland, New Jersey, Indiana and Dallas), averaging 5.7 ppg, 2.9 apg and 1.7 rpg in 20.0 mpg. He has also played in 80 career playoff games, averaging 5.0 ppg, 2.3 apg and 1.7 rpg in 16.1 mpg. Johnson appeared in 18 games with the Magic during the 1999-2000 season, averaging 3.4 ppg in 11.9 mpg.
