The Magic and Jalen Suggs have agreed to a five-year extension worth an average of $30 million annually, although the specific terms of the deal remain undisclosed. ESPN was the first outlet to report this significant signing.
This agreement marks another strategic move by the Magic to solidify their young talent with long-term contracts. Earlier this summer, they secured Franz Wagner with a five-year extension valued at least $224 million, which currently stands as the largest contract in the franchise’s history. Expectations are high that this record will be surpassed next summer when Paolo Banchero, the 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year, becomes eligible for an extension.
Suggs’ new contract, similar to Wagner’s, will commence in the 2025-26 season. He is coming off an impressive season with the Southeast Division champions, averaging 12.6 points and hitting nearly 40% of his three-point attempts. His performance earned him a second-team All-Defense selection and placed him eighth in the Most Improved Player voting, while he also tied for 10th in the Defensive Player of the Year voting.
“I want to be here,” Suggs expressed during the Magic’s training camp three weeks ago. “I don’t want to be anywhere else,” emphasizing his commitment to the team and its future.
The deadline for the rookie-scale extension with Suggs was set for Monday evening. Jeff Weltman, the Magic’s president of basketball operations, had reiterated the importance of finalizing this deal, stating, “he’s a big part of what we’re doing. Everybody knows that,” highlighting Suggs’ integral role in the team’s plans.
As the Magic prepare for the upcoming season, they will look to build on their playoff appearance as the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference last year. Their season opener is scheduled for Wednesday against Miami.
