Magic sign guard Sindarius Thornwell on two-way deal, release Devin Cannady

The Orlando Magic continued their late-season roster movement Tuesday by signing free agent guard Sindarius Thornwell on a two-way contract.

To clear a roster spot, the team released two-way guard Devin Cannady, who sustained a season-ending ankle injury on April 25.

Since April 6, the Magic have signed five free agents via 10-day or two-way contracts.

With Cannady out and starting shooting guard Gary Harris dealing with a sore neck issue, Thornwell could pick up some minutes on the wing as the Magic play out their final seven games of the season.

The 6-foot-4 Thornwell, who’s in his fourth NBA season, appeared in 14 games (making one start) this season with the Pelicans. He averaged just 1.2 points in 5.2 minutes per game.

He was originally signed by the Pelicans on July 6, 2020 and was waived on Feb. 22, then signed the first of two 10-day contracts on Feb. 24. His last game appearance came March 14.

Thornwell appeared in two games last season with the Pelicans during the NBA restart at Disney World.

Thornwell originally was drafted 48th overall by Milwaukee in the 2017 draft. He has averaged 2.5 points and 1.3 rebounds in 10.3 minutes over 153 career NBA regular-season games (with 19 starts) between the Clippers and Pelicans.

Thornwell was a four-year standout at the University of South Carolina, culminating in SEC Player of the Year, first-team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive team honors as a senior in 2017. He averaged 21.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.13 steals per game while shooting .392 (58-148) from 3-point range.

Thornwell also becomes the third Oak Hill Academy alum on the Magic roster, joining Cole Anthony and Dwayne Bacon on that list.

Thornwell will wear No. 12 with the Magic.

Cannady averaged 4.3 points in 9.3 minutes in eight games with Orlando – a stretch that included a career-high 17 points on April 22 against the Pelicans. He was shooting 37.5% from 3-point range and 39.3% overall.

Cannady, who was the MVP of the NBA G League Finals with Lakeland, originally signed to a 10-day contract April 6, then was released on April 13, before signing a two-way contract on April 16.

Cannady dislocated his right ankle in the first quarter of the team’s April 25 game against the Pacers, forcing him to miss the rest of the regular season.

This article first appeared on OrlandoSetinel.com. Email Roy Parry at rparry@orlandosentinel.com. Follow on Twitter @osroyparry