Magic two-way guard Trevelin Queen stays ready, contributes for Orlando

Magic coach Jamahl Mosley has often praised Orlando’s depth and its ability to stay ready to step on the court no matter the circumstances.

That includes two-way guard Trevelin Queen, who had played only a single minute for Orlando this season prior to the team’s just-concluded four-game western trip.

After spending the majority of his time with Osceola in the G League, Queen has helped fill in for the short-handed Magic.

He played 38 minutes in Orlando’s double-overtime loss at Sacramento and 31 more during Friday’s 122-120 win against the Nuggets. The Magic had just eight players available in the second half at Denver.

It’s likely Queen will continue to see extended time on the court for Jamahl Mosley’s squad when it hosts the Hawks on Sunday (Bally Sports Florida, 6).

That’s because forward Franz Wagner (right ankle sprain), forward Joe Ingles (left ankle sprain), forward Jonathan Isaac (right hamstring strain) and guard Gary Harris (right calf strain) won’t be available against Atlanta at Kia Center.

In addition, guards Markelle Fultz (left knee tendinitis) and Anthony Black (illness) as well as centers Wendell Carter Jr. (right knee tendinitis) and Goga Bitadze (illness) all are questionable.

Regardless of what led to Queen’s time on the court, he’s thankful to be in the position to help Orlando.

“For Coach [Mosley] to believe in me and give me some type of confidence to go out there and perform, whether it be for a minute or 35 minutes, I’m just blessed for the opportunity,” Queen recently told the Sentinel. “I’m around a great group of guys that give me confidence to go out there and play my game. It’s just a blessing.”

Queen, who earned Orlando’s third and final two-way contract in October, recorded 5 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 assists and a block against Denver.

Beede’s Breakdown: How shorthanded Magic overcame Nuggets behind Banchero’s 1st triple-double

During the game prior against the Kings, he finished with 5 points, 6 assists, 2 steals, 2 rebounds and a block.

If it seems as if Queen does a little bit of everything for the Magic, that’s because of his selfless approach to the chance to play in the NBA.

“I just bring that tenacity and energy off the bench, whether it be offense or defense,” he said. “I can come in and be a scrappy guy. Do all of the dirty work for us. I can defend at a high level if needed. I can run the offense if needed. Go out there and foul.

“Whatever it may be, I’m willing to be a great teammate.”

His path to Orlando has been long and winding.

Queen went undrafted out of New Mexico State in 2020 but signed with the Houston Rockets and spent the next two seasons with the G League’s Rio Grande Valley Vipers where he was named the 2022 G League MVP after averaging 25.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists.

After Philadelphia signed and waived him before the ’22-23 season, Queen signed a two-way contract with the Indiana Pacers last October. He appeared in 24 games for the G League’s Fort Wayne Mad Ants, averaging 22.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists.

He joined the Magic on an Exhibit 10 deal for training camp before earning the two-way contract that allows him to go between Orlando and Osceola when necessary.

Two-way players are limited to 50 NBA games.

Queen was recently selected to the G League’s All-Showcase Team after averaging 25.5 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 3.5 steals in 34 minutes.

“It was a great experience to showcase my ability to play on both ends of floor,” he said. “Not for only me but the team and the organization to show that we’re here to make some noise and make a stand that we’re one of the best teams in the G League.”

As Queen contributes for both Orlando and Osceola, it’s easy for him to remain prepared for when his number is called, similar to the rest of the Magic’s bench unit.

“I stay ready because I know it’s bigger than me,” he said. “For me, I don’t care what I’ve got going on, I’m just ready to hoop at any time. It’s just being mentally ready.

“Whether it’s for Osceola or Orlando, it’s just being the best teammate I can be.”

Email Jason Beede at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on X, known as Twitter, at @therealBeede.