ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Orlando Magic, taking a gamble to shore up their thin front line, signed troubled power forward Shawn Kemp to a free-agent contract Thursday.

Kemp is a six-time All Star, but weight and drug problems have sent his career into a tailspin. In the last two seasons with Portland, he averaged 6.3 points and 3.8 rebounds -- about a third of what he compiled during his prime with Seattle in the 1990s.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Kemp entered a drug rehabilitation center for cocaine use in April 2001, near the end of his first season as a Trail Blazer. He returned for the 2001-02 season, but was suspended for five games in February for failing to comply with his aftercare program.

Last month, Kemp reportedly agreed to forfeit more than $25 million of the $46.5 million left on his contract with the Blazers, and the team waived him.

Originally selected 17th overall in the 1989 NBA draft by the Sonics, Kemp has played in 972 career games in 13 seasons with Seattle, Cleveland and Portland, averaging 15.2 points and 8.6 rebounds. He was named to the All-NBA Second Team in 1994, `95 and `96 -- averaging 18.8 points and 11 rebounds in those seasons.

"This is a great opportunity for me,'' the 33-year-old Kemp said in a statement released by the Magic. "I've always felt that I have had a great relationship with Doc (Rivers, Orlando's coach) and look forward to playing with the guys.''

Orlando is desperate for a front line presence it has lacked the past two seasons. Last year, the Magic ranked 27th in scoring defense and 25th in rebounds.

In this offseason, the Magic overhauled almost their entire corps of big men.

Gone are Patrick Ewing (team bought out his contract), Don Reid (traded to Denver) and Monty Williams (left as a free agent). In their place, Orlando drafted power forward Ryan Humphrey and signed free agent forward-center Olumide Oyedeji a month later.

But Orlando lost reserve center Steven Hunter for 4-to-6 months when he tore a ligament in his right knee.

"Under the circumstances, and in addressing some of our needs, this is an opportunity for both the Magic and Shawn,'' Orlando general manager John Gabriel said. "We look forward to his return to the Eastern Conference. We feel we have a solid coaching staff, organization and the right leadership in place to make this a win-win situation.''

Rivers said he's aware of what he's getting with Kemp.

"I know the history here, but I'm a believer in giving people opportunities,'' Rivers said. "Shawn is a great passer, a heck of a rebounder and can still shoot. Is he a savior? No, but he has a chance at addressing some of our needs.

"I am willing to take that chance.''