In a league where high quality 3&D perimeter players are at a premium, the Orlando Magic made sure to lock up one of the best youngsters in the league.
Orlando and Jalen Suggs agreed to a five-year, $150.5 million rookie extension, story broken by ESPN’s Shams Charania. That works out to about a $30.1 million season average, which may seem eye-popping but in today’s NBA, with a rapidly rising cap in the coming years thanks to the new TV deal, is not out of the ordinary and will seem more reasonable. as the seasons go.
This signature is part of the Magic locking into their core. Earlier this summer the Magic reached extension with Franz Wagner and also enclosed Wendell Carter Jr. and Jonathan Isaac. Paolo Banchero is the other core player the Magic need to take care of — he’s definitely a max player — and is up for an extension next summer.
Suggs had a breakout 2023-24 season, making second-team All-Defense and, more importantly, hitting 39.7% from 3 (on a two-attempt game). Orlando has built their team around an elite defense (second in the NBA last season) and Suggs is a key part of that on the perimeter. This upcoming season, having Suggs and the recently acquired Kentavious Caldwell-Pope side by side should give Orlando one of the best perimeter defenses in the league, plus both guys can provide spacing on offense. Eventually the Magic need to get one more advanced shot creator, ideally a point guard who can also serve as a floor general to orchestrate the offense on the fly, but Suggs will be able to play with whoever that might be.
For now, Suggs is at the point, and the Magic are making sure he’s not going anywhere.
