Orlando Magic news this past offseason primarily included the possibility that big-name players such as Even Fournier and Aaron Gordon could move on from the organization. That never came to fruition.
Rather, the Magic have opted to give two other important players some long-term security. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Magic have signed former Philadelphia 76ers No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz to a three-year, $50 million contract extension. The same NBA insider notes that Orlando has also inked Jonathan Isaac to a four-year, $80 million extension.
This is a whole lot of cash for two players who were not on the front burner just a couple short years ago. In no way does that mean, Fultz and Isaac have not earned these pay days. They have. Let’s break it down below.
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Magic news: Impact of the Markelle Fultz contract extension
The No. 1 overall pick of Philadelphia back in 2017, Markelle Fultz bombed out big time in the City of Brotherly Love. Shooting issues coupled with injuries limited the Washington product to 33 games in two seasons before he was ultimately shipped off to the Orlando Magic during the 2018-19 NBA trade deadline.
In Orlando, Fultz has resurrected his career big time. The point guard averaged 12.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists on 47% shooting from the field a season ago. That came on the heels of a brief tenure in Philadelphia that saw Markelle Fultz average just 7.7 points while shooting 41% from the field.
This Magic news comes with the caveat that Fultz is now entrenched in as their full-time starter despite the team selecting Cole Anthony in the 2020 NBA Draft. At just 22 years old, Fultz offers the team a tremendous amount of upside.
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Magic news: Team hands Jonathan Isaac massive extension
This is such a feel-good story. A top-six pick back in 2017, the 23-year-old Isaac suffered a torn ACL during the NBA restart in Orlando this past summer.
He’s slated to miss the entire 2020-21 season. Despite that, the Magic believed that this strong defender was worth the risk at $20 million annually.
It’s hard to blame Orlando. You don’t find 6-foot-11 forwards with a capability of guarding three different positions every day. In addition to this, Isaac averaged career highs in points (11.9) and rebounds (6.8) while shooting 47% from the field as a third-year player a season ago.
Orlando Magic roster
With these two situations taken care of, the Magic will head into their 2020-21 regular season opener against the Miami Heat with the following depth chart.
- Point guard: Markelle Fultz, Michael Carter-Williams, Cole Anthony
- Shooting guard: Evan Fournier, Terrence Ross
- Center: Nikola Vucevic, Mo Bamba
- Power forward: Aaron Gordon, Al-Farouq Aminu, Gary Clark, Jonathan Isaac (injured)
- Small forward: Dwayne Bacon, James Ennis
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