Kai Sotto’s road to the Orlando Magic’s NBA regular-season roster spot has suddenly become tougher.
This was after the Magic exercised their option on Georgian center Goga Bitadze for the 2023–24 NBA season.
The 6-foot-11 Bitadze had decent numbers for the Magic last season, where he averaged 5.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 17 matches.
Bitadze joined the Magic on February 13 after being released by the Indiana Pacers, the team the Georgian center has played for since entering the NBA in 2019.
Among Bitadze’s highlights with Orlando are a double-double of 14 points and a career-high 15 rebounds against the Detroit Pistons and a 15-rebound performance in a game against the Brooklyn Nets.
Bitadze becomes the Magic’s third center for the upcoming season, aside from 6-foot-11 Wendell Carter Jr. and 6-foot-10 Moritz Wagner.
While they kept Bitadze, the Magic have recently released 7-foot-2 forward/center Bol Bol, who appeared in 33 games with Orlando last season.
Sotto, who stands 7-foot-3, is hoping to land a roster spot with the Magic as he joins the squad’s NBA Summer League team.
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