President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today that the Orlando Magic have exercised their team option at the Goga Petadze Center for the 2023-24 season.
Additionally, Orlando turned down her team options on Michael Carter Williams and Admiral Scofield.
Bitadze (6’11”, 230, 7/20/99) played in 38 games combined (1 start) last season (2022-23) with both Indiana and Orlando, averaging 4.4 ppg. , 3.6 rpg. and 1.0 apk. at 12.0 minutes per gallon, while shooting .552 (69-125) from the ground. He appeared in 21 games for the Pacers, averaging 3.3 ppg. and 2.3 RPG. at 9.6 minutes per gallon. Bitadze was waived by Indiana on February 9, and then signed as a free agent by Orlando on February 13. He played in 17 games (1 start) with the Magic, averaging 5.8 ppg. , 5.2 rpg. and 1.2 apg. at 15.0 minutes per gallon. Bitadze scored in double figures six times (five times with Orlando), including a season-high 14 points on October 22 @ Detroit and grabbed 10+ rebounds twice, including 15 rebounds on October 22 @ Detroit and on April 7 @ Brooklyn.
Originally selected in the first round (18th overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft by Indiana, Bitadze has played in 187 NBA regular season games (22 starts) with Indiana and Orlando, averaging 4.9 ppg. and 3.0 rpg. at 11.9 minutes per gallon.
A native of Georgia, Petadze has been playing against professional competition since he was 16 years old. Before being recruited by Indiana in 2019, he spent his international career playing in Georgia, Serbia, and Montenegro. Bitadze was a member of the Georgian national team.
Petads wears #35 with the Orlando Magic.