2019 EuroLeague Rising Star Re-Signs with the Magic
When Goga Bitadze became the 2019 EuroLeague Rising Star, it looked like nothing could stop the six-foot and 10-inch big man from making a successful career within the NBA. However, his career has not turned out the way he hoped, as the near 25-year-old has been a minimal role player for two different teams since coming into the league during the 2019-2020 season. With the Magic last season, Orlando made the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-2020 season. Orlando put up a great fight in their first-round matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, however, the Magic lost in seven games. Bitadze became a free agent after the end of the season. As he hopes to expand and further his career, the 2019 EuroLeague Rising Star re-signed a three-year, $25 million deal with the Magic.
While creating a successful career overseas, Bitadze declared for the 2019 NBA Draft. He was selected as the 18th overall pick by the Indiana Pacers. After spending three and a half seasons in Indiana, on February 9th, the team waived the 2019 EuroLeague Rising Star. Four days later the Orlando Magic agreed to a deal with the six-foot and 10-inch big man. During his overseas career, Bitadze received numerous accolades, but it just hasn’t panned out that way during his NBA career. Even though Bitadze is still extremely young, he needs to develop his game further, if he doesn’t his NBA career could be over and done with before we know it.
Last season, Bitadze played in 62 games with the Orlando Magic, starting in 33 of those games. In about 15 minutes a game, the 2019 EuroLeague Rising Star averaged nearly five points, five rebounds, an assist, and a steal. This past season, Bitadze shot a career-high 60 percent from the field. His best game of the season occurred on November 15th. In 26 minutes, Bitadze put up 15 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block during a 96-94 win over the Orlando Magic. With the Magic, Bitadze will hope to develop his game to become a quality role player.
