Tag: R.J. Hampton

Magic rookie R.J. Hampton puts up career outing vs. former team

Hampton, in his first game versus the Nuggets, produced a career-high on Sunday as the Magic fell just short of pulling off the win.

Facing the team that drafted him, R.J. Hampton turned in a career game on Sunday but the effort was not enough as the Orlando Magic fell to the Denver Nuggets, 119-109.

Hampton, who started for the first time on Sunday, produced 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals in 33 minutes of work. He converted on 7-of-13 shots from the field, including 2-of-5 from 3-point range, for the shorthanded Magic, who had just eight players available.

The 24th overall pick wasted no time getting started versus his former team, scoring the first seven points of the game for the Magic. Hampton has now scored in double figures three times this season, which have all come with the Magic.

Of course, Hampton, along with Gary Harris, was traded to the Magic at the trade deadline in exchange for Aaron Gordon and Gary Clark. Gordon finished with 24 points in the contest while Harris has yet to debut with Orlando due to a left adductor strain.

Hampton loved the opportunity to face his former team on Sunday.

“It was definitely fun to see those guys and compete against those guys,” Hampton said. “They are a great basketball team. It was something I’ve always wanted to do and I finally got the chance to.”

Hampton has shown glimpses of his potential since joining the Magic. The change of scenery has given him an opportunity to log significant playing time as the 20-year-old is averaging 10.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in 22.4 minutes with the Magic over five games.

The Magic view Hampton as an important piece moving forward after demanding him in the trade with Denver. They believe in his potential as Hampton will now be able to showcase that skill set in a larger role now.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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R.J. Hampton reacts to joining Magic following trade deadline

Hampton expressed happiness to start fresh with a new team following a trade from the Nuggets.

Newly-acquired rookie R.J. Hampton on Friday expressed happiness to join the Orlando Magic for a new opportunity and fresh start with an organization building toward the future.

Hampton on Thursday was traded to the Magic, along with Gary Harris and a first-round pick, from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Aaron Gordon ahead of the trade deadline. The acquisition of Hampton was a priority for the Magic to complete the deal given his potential.

The Magic were very high on Hampton during the pre-draft process and were impressed with him on and off the court after meeting with him. The team ultimately selected Cole Anthony with the 15th overall pick but now have two first-round picks from the 2019 draft.

Hampton is excited to join the Magic and get to work with his new team.

“I think my reaction to being on a new team is a fresh start,” Hampton said. “I come into the Magic organization into a rebuilding process — a lot of young guys, a lot of young talent. I think I am one of those guys that can contribute to the Magic not only this year but for years to come.”

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The move to the Magic will create an opportunity to log heavy minutes for Hampton. He played sparingly this season on a crowded Nuggets roster, averaging just 9.3 minutes in 25 games, but will now find himself as a key player on a rebuilding Magic team.

In addition to Gordon, the Magic also traded Nikola Vucevic to the Chicago Bulls and Evan Fournier to the Boston Celtics. The team saw an opportunity to cash in on their players and ultimately opted to begin a new rebuild around Jonathan Isaac, Markelle Fultz, Anthony, Hampton and others.

Hampton arrived in Orlando on Thursday and underwent a physical with the team on Friday. While he didn’t play in a 112-105 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, Hampton likes what he sees from his new teammates.

“I think the guys all look so focused,” Hampton said. “They look eager to win more games, eager to finish off the season the right way. How I see myself fitting in is to have fun, play the right way and share the ball. We’re a really young, athletic team and I think that’s something I bring.”

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Magic ‘excited’ to land R.J. Hampton from Nuggets in Aaron Gordon deal

The Nuggets were initially hesitant to trade rookie R.J. Hampton, but the Magic are sure glad they eventually conceded.

When trade conversations first began with the Orlando Magic regarding Aaron Gordon, the Denver Nuggets were reluctant to give up rookie R.J. Hampton in a potential deal. Over time, the Nuggets eventually conceded and the Magic are sure glad they did.

On Thursday, the Magic agreed to trade Gordon to the Nuggets ahead of the trade deadline for a package that included Hampton, veteran Gary Harris and a first-round pick. The transaction was eventually approved by the NBA on Friday just after midnight on the East Coast.

“Denver was one of the teams that were interested in Aaron and they were very reluctant to discuss R.J.,” Magic president Jeff Weltman said on Friday. “It wasn’t until a couple of days before the deadline that his name started to be included in discussions and that was a pivot point for us. The conversations with Denver definitely shifted when his name was included and this is not a guy that they happily moved into this deal.”

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With the Magic out of the playoff picture, the organization opted to clean the slate and cash in on their players. Along with Gordon, All-Star Nikola Vucevic and guard Evan Fournier were traded as the Magic build toward the future. In addition to Hampton, the Magic added three first-round picks, two second-round picks and three veteran players.

The ability to acquire Hampton was a major priority for Orlando.

Orlando showed a great deal of interest in Hampton in the days leading up to the NBA draft. The Magic, led by Weltman and general manager John Hammond, were among a few teams that watched him work out in-person in Texas during the pre-draft process. They left that trip highly impressed with him, something that drove them to make the trade.

Hampton, a former five-star high school prospect, was viewed by many during the pre-draft process as a player with a high ceiling given his ability and physical measurements. While he ultimately went 24th to the Nuggets, the Magic viewed him as a prospect that could eventually outperform his draft position.

“R.J. is a big rangy, athletic kid,” Weltman said. “He is a multi-position player and is going to be a high-level defender. I think R.J. is a little under the radar because of his path but you’re talking about a top-five high school player when he was coming out who goes to New Zealand so he is kind of off the radar for the typical NBA fan.

“He was a 19-year-old playing with grown men. Those leagues are hard. You don’t just walk into those places and dominate. They are physical, those guys are rough and tumble and the games are called that way. R.J. had flashes of brilliance in some rough times (due to an injury). He is a really charismatic, smart, high-energy kid.”

The move to the Magic will likely create an opportunity to log heavy minutes for Hampton. He played sparingly this season on a crowded Nuggets roster, averaging just 9.3 minutes in 25 games, but will now find himself as a key player on a rebuilding Magic team.

Hampton, along with the three others acquired on Thursday, arrived in Orlando and will undergo physicals but will not play on Friday versus the Portland Trail Blazers. Their roles are still to be determined but head coach Steve Clifford is excited to get to work with them.

“I spent some time yesterday, I watched some film,” Clifford said. “They always say, ‘You never know a player until you coach them.’ I’ll wait until I have time to meet with them and talk to them before I really make any opinions on what they can bring and where they are at.”

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Report: Nuggets could move Hampton, Nnaji or Bol in Aaron Gordon deal

The Nuggets have reportedly emerged as the leading candidate to acquire Gordon from the Magic ahead of the trade deadline.

After requesting a trade from the Orlando Magic, Aaron Gordon is considered to be a prime candidate to be moved ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline with several teams expected to be in the running to land the seventh-year forward.

Of course, news broke on Monday that Gordon formally requested a trade from the Magic after growing frustration with losses and injuries in recent years. He reportedly wants to join a contender, with the Boston Celtics among those showing interest.

However, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, the Denver Nuggets have reportedly emerged as the frontrunner to land Gordon as of late Wednesday night. The report, which cited league sources, indicated Denver’s deal is gaining momentum with the Magic.

The Nuggets are reportedly willing to offer guard Gary Harris, a first-round pick and a young player on the roster, either rookie R.J. Hampton, Zeke Nnaji or Bol Bol, for Gordon. Hampton and Nnaji were both first-round picks last year while Bol was a second-round pick in 2019.

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Gordon, who has one more year left on his contract, is averaging 14.6 points and 6.6 rebounds on a career-high 37.5% shooting from 3-point range in 25 games this season. He is viewed as a hot commodity on the trade market and could help a prospective team make a playoff run.

In addition to the Nuggets, the Celtics are also discussing a deal that would send the Magic a future first-round pick and a young player, either Aaron Nesmith or Romeo Langford for Gordon. Boston could also have Evan Fournier on its radar in that trade, as well.

With Gordon wanting out of Orlando, the organization appears to be on the verge of trading the 25-year-old as teams around the league look to acquire additional help for the second half of the season.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Nuggets’ reaction to R.J. Hampton’s first poster dunk was priceless

R.J. Hampton had a career-high on Wednesday but the highlight of the game came in the fourth quarter when he met Cedi Osman at the rim.

With the Denver Nuggets sporting a healthy lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers, R.J. Hampton had the opportunity to log extended minutes on Wednesday and the rookie made the most of his time on the court.

Hampton produced a career-high nine points in 19 minutes of work off the bench, while adding four rebounds, three assists, two steals and one blocked shot during the 133-95 win. He played seven minutes in the first half before playing the entirety of the fourth quarter in the blowout win.

While Hampton finished with a career-high, the extended run allowed him to throw down his first poster dunk, and it was a good one.

The play unfolded in the fourth quarter as Hampton picked off a pass and turned it up court for a fastbreak opportunity. From there, Hampton met Cedi Osman at the rim, and, well, you can see for yourself what happened next.

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The dunk by Hampton was immediately reposted by Nuggets fans on social media, with the play quickly becoming one of the top highlights of the night.

Perhaps the best reaction came from his teammates, who went crazy on the bench after the dunk.

Hampton has played sparingly this season with the Nuggets, but has logged more minutes over the last three games. The Nuggets have several players ahead of Hampton on the depth chart, but a performance like Wednesday could go a long way in carving out a larger role moving forward.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Nuggets sign first-round pick R.J. Hampton to rookie contract

Hampton completed his contract buyout with the NZ Breakers on Monday to sign with the Nuggets.

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On Tuesday, the Denver Nuggets reportedly signed R.J. Hampton, who was the 24th overall pick in the NBA draft, to his rookie contract, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Hampton, according to the report, completed his contract buyout with the New Zealand Breakers on Monday to pave the way to sign his deal with the Nuggets. Hampton will earn $1,827,900 next season with the Nuggets as the No. 24 pick.

The 19-year-old averaged 8.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 15 games played with the Breakers last season. He was once viewed as a potential lottery pick but ultimately slipped to Denver near the end of the first round.

Despite falling a bit in the draft, the Nuggets add a player that projects to have plenty of room to grow. He missed time last season with an injury and never appeared to get completely comfortable on the court and has yet to fully unlock his potential.

The Nuggets have added a few low risk, high upside players, through the draft in recent memory in Michael Porter Jr. and Bol Bol and Hampton is yet another player that could potentially become a steal in the future. Denver is certainly banking on that possibility.

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R.J. Hampton had a hilarious hat snafu following trade to Nuggets

Hampton’s draft party had a bit of a difficult time finding the correct hat after a trade occurred just prior to the 24th overall pick.

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On Wednesday, the NBA hosted its first-ever virtual draft and things appeared to be running smoothly until the evening reached the 24th overall pick.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the NBA brought the draft experience to the prospects, who watched the event unfold from their homes or offseason residences. To help facilitate the coverage, 19 prospects had satellite trucks stationed outside of their location while the rest of the players received broadcast kits, which included an iPhone and a Microsoft Surface tablet.

Draftees also received receive an NBA draft gift locker that included a full set of New Era x NBA 2020 Draft 9Fifty gray-colored hats. Of course, once the prospect was drafted, they would find the hat of the team that selected them and put the cap on.

Unfortunately, R.J. Hampton had a bit of a snafu finding the correct hat.

The Milwaukee Bucks initially had the 24th overall pick in the draft but traded the selection to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of the deal in which they acquired Jrue Holiday. Since the trade hasn’t been finalized, the Bucks were making the pick for the Pelicans but, a new development had emerged just before the selection.

New Orleans, as it turned out, dealt the 24th pick to the Denver Nuggets, who will eventually acquire the draft rights to Hampton. In the midst of all the confusion, a young member of Hampton’s draft party was seen holding the Bucks hat, while another was searching for the right hat. The Bucks hat was eventually snatched from the kid and thrown across the room.

The pickup of Hampton by the Nuggets proved to be yet another high-upside get after the organization previously selected Michael Porter Jr. and Bol Bol in the past. The Nuggets have one of the best development systems in the league so landing in Denver could ultimately be the perfect fit.

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R.J. Hampton had draft interview with Sixers, believes he is NBA ready

Potential draft pick R.J. Hampton says he had a draft interview with the Philadelphia 76ers ahead of the NBA draft.

The Philadelphia 76ers are currently getting ready for the NBA draft which is now just one week away on November 18. The Sixers have a few options they can go with as new president Daryl Morey is an unpredictable guy.

They can actually take a player at 21 who can help them with their current needs or they can even trade the pick for a player who can help right now. They obviously need some help in terms of shooting, more versatility, and another guy who can handle the ball.

One guy who adds both versatility and ball-handling is 19-year old prospect R.J. Hampton who decided to forego college and go play overseas for the New Zealand Breakers. He enters this draft as a bit of a mystery as he can be the franchise changer like he believes he is or he could take some time to develop.

As the draft continues to approach, he did have a draft interview with Philadelphia, but he did not work out with them.

“I haven’t worked out with the 76ers,” Hampton stated. “I have spoken to them. I think the biggest thing for me is I feel like I can guard positions 1 through 3 so if I need to be a 1, 2, or 3 at any time, I can fill those roles.”

Playing in the NBL for the Breakers, he did not have an overwhelming stat line. He averaged 8.8 points and 3.9 rebounds with 1.1 steals, but that time playing professionally makes him feel like he is ready for the NBA right now.

“Playing in the NBL, I kind of already went through that learning curve,” he explained. “I feel confident and I expect to get on the floor as fast as possible and make an immediate impact in the coming years. I want to be one of the players that everybody counts on on the team to get us wins.”

That opportunity may or may not be in Philadelphia as the Sixers are in a position where they can trade this pick for somebody to help right away, but Hampton is a guy who can help out right now.

He feels like playing with top prospect LaMelo Ball makes him an NBA ready player right now.

“I think being over there with LaMelo, we both had different roles, we both had different situations, I feel like we both learned a lot over there,” he finished with. “Going through this process with him, we keep in touch a lot. I think we’re both the most ready prospects.” [lawrence-related id=38983,38980,38974]

Mike Miller may become an agent with R.J. Hampton a potential client

The two-time NBA champion may reportedly look to become an agent with R.J. Hampton as a potential client.

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Two-time NBA champion Mike Miller may reportedly look to transition into becoming an agent with R.J. Hampton as a potential client, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post.

Of course, Miller spent two years as an assistant head coach under Penny Hardaway at Memphis. He was heavily involved in the recruitment process for Hampton before he opted to play professionally in the National Basketball League.

Miller has since worked extensively with Hampton during the pre-draft process and has helped improve his shot. The two have worked on reducing the movement in Hampton’s shot and changed the placement of the ball when he rises up.

Hampton is widely considered to be a first-round pick on Nov. 18 with the Brooklyn Nets emerging as a potential suitor. The team is reportedly extremely interested in him should he remain on the board when the Nets are on the clock at No. 19.

Miller and Hampton have grown close in recent memory and the former NBA player believes Hampton can eventually become a multi-time All-Star. They may reach the next level of their friendship soon should Miller make the transition into being an agent.

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LA Times mock draft: Thunder take point guard R.J. Hampton

Could R.J. Hampton still be around at No. 25? The Los Angeles Times’ mock draft has him going to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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In the Los Angeles Times’ mock draft published Friday, the Oklahoma City Thunder snagged a point guard who some are looking at as a lottery option.

The Thunder took point guard R.J. Hampton, who played for the New Zealand Breakers last season.

Hampton, who was one of the top high school players in his class, went overseas instead of college. While that play didn’t do much for his stock — he ranges anywhere from a lottery to late-first round — some see starter potential in him.

The LA Times wrote:

“The Thunder’s rebuild appears to be fully on, so why not grab a combo guard with room to grow?”

Hampton is athletic and has a solid feel for the game already, showing good vision and passing abilities. Hampton’s shooting was not good, but video looks like his offseason training with former NBA sharpshooter Mike Miller has been paying off. As The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie pointed out, his mechanics are looking a lot better than they did in New Zealand, when he released from practically the left side of his face.

Listed at 6-foot-5, Hampton projects as a guard who can play off-ball and on. He looks like he could be an interesting fit with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

With that said, it’s unlikely that Hampton is still around for the Thunder with the 25th pick. He has been a riser in mock drafts over the last couple months, often landing in the 15 to 20 range. Oklahoma City may have to move up if they are truly interested in landing the guard.

The 2020 NBA draft will take place on Nov. 18.

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