June 24, 2015
ORLANDO – The Orlando Magic have acquired the draft rights to forward Jānis Timma from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for guard Luke Ridnour, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today.
Timma (6’7”, 220, 7/2/92) was selected by Memphis in the second round (60th overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft. Last season (2014-15), he played 20 games in Latvia with VEF Riga, averaging 12.7 ppg., 6.0 rpg., 2.2 apg. and 1.7 stlpg. in 28.7 minpg. Timma was named the VTB League Young Player of the Year.
Timma has been named an All-Star in the Latvian Basketball League (LBL) for the last three seasons (2012-14). Prior to joining VEF Riga, Timma spent two seasons with BK Ventspils of the LBL. In 2013-14, he led Ventspils to the LBL championship, earning LBL Finals MVP, All-LBL Player of the Year, All-LBL First Team and All-Baltic League First Team from Eurobasket.com. In 2012-13, Timma led Ventspils to the LBL Finals and guided them to the Baltic League championship, earning All-Baltic League Finals MVP from Eurobasket.com.
Ridnour played in 47 games last season with Orlando, averaging 4.0 ppg., 2.0 apg. and 1.4 rpg. in 14.5 minpg. He led (or tied) the team in assists twice. Ridnour scored in double figures three times, including a season-high 15 points on Mar. 15 vs. Cleveland.
Originally selected by Seattle in the first round (14th overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft, Ridnour has appeared in 830 career NBA regular season games (493 starts) with Seattle, Minnesota, Milwaukee, Charlotte and Orlando, averaging 9.3 ppg., 4.5 apg. and 2.3 rpg. in 26.1 minpg., while shooting .862 (1,290-1,496) from the free throw line. He also has played in 22 career playoff games (11 starts), averaging 7.9 ppg., 3.3 apg. and 2.4 rpg. in 24.3 minpg.