NBA Moves: Magic, Colin Castleton, Blazers, Javonte Cook, Celtics

Magic

The Magic are promoting center Colin Castleton to a two-way contract, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. Orlando had an open two-way slot, so no additional moves were needed.

A Florida native and University of Florida alum, Castleton went undrafted in 2023 but has already made several NBA stops.

He spent his rookie season on a two-way deal with the Lakers before brief stints with the Grizzlies, Raptors, and 76ers last year. Across 26 total appearances, he averaged 4.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in 16.6 minutes per game.

The 25-year-old big man was waived by Toronto in July but caught on quickly in Orlando, where he’ll now get another shot at stability.

As a two-way player, Castleton can appear in up to 50 games this season and will earn $636,435 — a figure that remains non-guaranteed until January.

Trail Blazers

Portland has waived guard Javonte Cooke, the team announced. Cooke joined the Blazers on an Exhibit 10 deal after averaging 17.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 42 G League games last season with the Oklahoma City Blue.

The Rip City Remix, Portland’s G League affiliate, recently acquired Cooke’s returning rights — a move that typically signals a player is headed there to start the year.

However, The Rose Garden Report’s Sean Highkin notes that the Blazers are still considering Cooke for their open two-way slot, meaning he could be back on the roster before long.

Celtics

The Celtics are bringing back RJ Luis, just days after waiving him from a two-way deal. CLNS’s Noa Dalzell reports that Luis is signing an Exhibit 10 contract and will be waived again to join the Maine Celtics in the G League.

The move allows him to earn a bonus worth up to $85,300 if he spends at least 60 days with Boston’s affiliate.

Luis, 23 next month, earned Big East Player of the Year honors last season at St. John’s, averaging 18.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.

He was acquired by Boston from Utah this summer in the Georges Niang trade and later waived to make room for Ron Harper Jr., who filled the open two-way spot.

Boston also added Aaron Scott on an Exhibit 10 deal, per Spotrac’s Keith Smith. The 6-foot-7 wing averaged 8.4 points and 4.3 rebounds at St. John’s last season after transferring from North Texas.

Coaches who spoke to The Athletic described Scott as a “deep sleeper” prospect with the potential to work his way onto an NBA roster.