Magic Gaming Acquires DLAW from Cavs Legion GC as Part of Four-Team Trade
December 9, 2022
Orlando Sends 2023 Second-Round Pick to Philadelphia in the Deal
ORLANDO – It’s rare in the NBA 2K League that a team can assemble their entire roster prior to the draft. However, that’s exactly what Magic Gaming was able to accomplish.
Magic Gaming acquired big man Devin “DLAW” Lawrence from Cavs Legion GC on Friday in exchange for a second-round pick as part of a blockbuster four-team deal.
“When it comes to DLAW, there’s a lot of things to like,” said Magic Gaming General Manager and Head Coach Jonah Edwards. “Anyone that knows him or has seen him in the league so far, he provides a lot of energy and is regarded as a great teammate. That’s obviously enticing. His ability to play both the power forward and center position means we’re able to put players in certain positions depending on what roles they’re best at and we can feel that out in real time.”
Also, as part of the trade, 76ers GC received the aforementioned second-round pick from Orlando, and Damon “DJ” Jones and a 2024 second-round pick from Charlotte. Hornets Venom GT acquired Xavier “Big Saint” St. John and a 2024 first-round pick (via NBL OZ) from Cleveland and the 45th overall pick in the 2023 draft from Philadelphia. Cavs Legion GC received Yusuf “Yusuf Scarbz” Abdulla and a 2024 second-round pick from Philadelphia and the 2023 2KL’s 14th overall pick from Charlotte.
Magic Gaming’s roster stands at a full five players in advance of the 2023 NBA 2K League Draft, which is expected to take place early next year. Earlier this offseason, Orlando retained Rookie of the Year runner-up Joshua “unguardable” Hunter at point guard, Matthew “Matty” Grant at small forward, and versatile big man Robert “May” May. Then, they added the fourth player to that unit when they acquired shooting guard Jarvis “Jarvis” Thompson from Mavs Gaming on Nov. 18.
Now, Magic Gaming has added the final piece to their roster puzzle with DLAW, who’s expected to serve primarily as the team’s center in 5v5 action.
“For sure, it feels like we’ve pieced together this puzzle that we want out of a roster,” said Edwards. “At the end of the day, we feel like we have guys in their correct and proper roles – roles that allow them to be successful with one another.”
DLAW comes to Orlando after spending two seasons in Cleveland. His most impressive stretch of basketball last season came during THE TURN tournament, during which he averaged 13.2 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 76.2 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3-point range.
“He’s aggressive and confident with the ball,” said Edwards of the team’s newest addition. “He looks to score when he has it and that’s what you want out of a frontcourt player. He’s a guy who’s willing to go get you one.”
On the defensive end of the floor, he’s known as a terrific corner defender. While May will likely operate as the team’s primary big man in pick-and-roll coverage, DLAW will focus on shutting down the opposition’s top corner 3-point threats, a role in which he’s excelled in the past.
“He’s a great corner defender,” said Edwards. “Regardless of position, we feel like DLAW is one of the premier corner defenders in the 2K League. From our experience going against him the last couple of years, he was a really good corner defender and that’s one of the major reasons we wanted to add him to the roster.”
DLAW joins a Magic Gaming organization that not only earned their first banner title last season, but also made the playoffs in both 3v3 and 5v5 game modes. Having attended high school in Hawthorne, Florida, the trade brings the 2KL veteran closer to home as he enters his third season in the league.
During the offseason, DLAW attends Monmouth College in Illinois and plays football for the Division III program. Known for his aggressiveness on the virtual hardwood, DLAW is equally assertive on the gridiron. That was on full display on Oct. 8, as the 5-foot-8 running back went for a season-high 88 yards on 16 carries against the University of Chicago.