Wendell Moore Jr., a former Duke standout and 2022 first-round pick, has yet to carve out a consistent role in the NBA. Since being selected 26th overall, he’s played in just 90 games.
But after suiting up for the Magic’s Summer League squad this month, Moore believes he proved he deserves a spot in the league, according to Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel.
“I showed that I deserved to be in this league,” Moore said. “I showed I can be one of the best defenders out here. I can make shots, I can get downhill (and) play secondary lead guard, if needed. I showed I can do a bunch of things on the floor that can help teams win.”
During five Summer League contests in Las Vegas, Moore posted averages of 13.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.0 steal in 22.7 minutes per game.
His shooting numbers were somewhat average, 44.0% from the field and 28.6% from three, but he got to the line frequently (4.4 free throws per game) and converted 86.4% of his attempts. He also showed defensive versatility, which could boost his value to teams.
Moore, who is 6’5″, struggled to find minutes over his first two NBA seasons. In Minnesota, he barely saw the floor, totaling just 228 minutes in 54 games.
He played more in 2023–24 with stints in Detroit and Charlotte, averaging 4.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists over 36 games, while shooting .468/.341/.818.
Set to turn 24 in September, Moore finished last season on a two-way deal with the Hornets. Since he wasn’t eligible for a qualifying offer, he hit unrestricted free agency on July 1.
As Beede notes, Moore remains eligible for one more season on a two-way contract and helped his case with his Summer League play.
Still, Orlando’s backcourt is crowded, so it’s unclear whether the team will use one of its remaining two-way slots on him. For now, Ethan Thompson is the Magic’s only two-way player.
Wendell Moore Jr. made a strong case for an NBA contract this month: https://t.co/mUjAHsRL3I
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) July 22, 2025
