clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Jason Maxiell officially leaves Pistons for Magic

Signs a two-year, $5 million deal with Orlando.

Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

The Jason Maxiell era is officially over in Detroit. The longtime, baby-eating big man signed a two-year deal with the Orlando Magic for $5 million, according to reports. The second year is reportedly a team option.

Former Detroit Pistons front office executive Scott Perry is now working for the Magic. Maxiell will reportedly fill the "tough guy" and "enforcer" role that the struggling Magic might need to lean on at times this season.

Though undersized at 6-foot-6, or 6-7 if you're being generous, Maxiell has a wide body, a tough mindset and long arms that allow him to block a few shots and bother plenty of others.

He started out last season hot playing alongside Greg Monroe. He was formidable on defense, rebounding at an average rate (always a struggle with him) and hitting his 15-foot jumper often enough to make him dangerous and for defenses to take notice. He struggled big time in the second half of the season, however.

In his first 17 games he shot over 50 percent from the field but struggled mightily thereafter and by the end of the season had hit only 44 percent from the field. He averaged 6.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks.

Maxiell isn't pegged to start for the Magic as he'll be behind Nikola Vucevic and Glen Davis, but on a team that figures to lose a lot of games he might make fans easily in Orlando with his no-nonsense style of play and baby-eating ways.