Magic waive Jameer Nelson, last from 2009 East champs

The final chapter of the Dwight Howard era has come to a close for the Orlando Magic.

Jameer Nelson has been waived after a decade with the Magic, mostly as the starting point guard, the team announced Monday. Nelson's $8 million final year of his contract was only partially guaranteed, so the move frees up about $6 million in salary cap space as the team rebuilds.

Orlando now has no players still on its roster for its 2009 Eastern Conference championship, when the Magic lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in a five-game NBA Finals. Nelson holds the franchise record with 3,501 assists and is second in games, third in minutes and fourth in points.

I appreciate the opportunity the Orlando Magic has afforded me and my family over the past ten years," Nelson said in a news release. "All good things must come to an end, however, and it's time to move on. I look forward to continuing my career as an NBA player and will never take for granted my time in Orlando."

Nelson was drafted 20th overall in 2004, the same day the Magic picked Howard first overall. He averaged 12.6 points and 5.4 assists a game for his career, including a career-best 16.7 points a game in 2008-09. He averaged 12.1 points and 7.0 assists last season and should draw interest as a 32-year-old, trustworthy backup in free agency.

The Magic now likely will start rookie point guard Elfrid Payton, the No. 10 pick in the draft whom they acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers for the No. 12 pick, a future first-rounder and a future second-rounder. They also could try second-year guard Victor Oladipo there, though he makes more sense at shooting guard after the trade of Arron Afflalo back to the Denver Nuggets.

"Jameer is the ultimate professional," said Hennigan. "We truly thank him for his contributions to the organization, both on the court and in the community, during the last decade. He will always be a member of the Magic family."

The Magic also waived guard Doron Lamb but picked up Willie Green off waivers after the veteran shooting guard was cut by the Los Angeles Clippers.