As the Orlando Magic begin training camp ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season, guard Anthony Black is trying not to let his uncertain contract situation become a distraction.
Black is eligible for a rookie-scale contract extension entering his fourth NBA season, but the 22-year-old acknowledged during Monday's Media Day that Orlando is in a “weird spot” regarding a potential new deal.
The former No. 6 overall pick made it clear that he would welcome an extension while recognizing the business considerations facing both sides.
“It would be great to get that done, you know the team’s in a weird spot with that, but yeah,” Black said. “I’m trying to stay where my feet are, I’m focused on getting better everyday and helping my team out and if that happens, that would be great obviously, but it’s a business and they got things they gotta worry about. I got things that I gotta worry about so if it happens, it happens.”
The deadline for Black and the Magic to agree to a rookie-scale extension is 6 p.m. ET on Oct. 19, leaving the two sides with several weeks to potentially reach an agreement before Orlando begins the regular season.
If the two sides do not agree to an extension by the deadline, Black would play out the final season of his rookie contract before becoming eligible for restricted free agency next summer.
Anthony Black's Magic contract extension decision follows career-best season
Black's contract situation comes after the guard put together the most productive season of his young NBA career.
He averaged career highs of 15 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.4 steals across 64 games last season. Black made 40 starts while averaging 29.8 minutes per game and shot 44.7% from the field and 33.3% from 3-point range.
His increased production represented another step forward after Orlando selected him with the sixth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Black has developed into another young piece alongside Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs. Orlando's roster has continued to evolve around that core, including the addition of Desmond Bane, while the organization enters its first season under head coach Sean Sweeney.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his next contract, Black spent the offseason preparing for an expanded role rather than focusing solely on extension negotiations.
“This summer I worked a lot on just trying to get stronger, just being able to guard bigger dudes in the post or being able to switch, whatever it might be,” Black said.
Article Continues BelowBlack focused on expanding game in Year 4
Adding strength was only one part of Black's offseason development.
The 6-foot-7 guard also focused on improving his ability to attack the paint, play through physicality and make different reads with the ball in his hands.
“I worked a lot on my floor game – just getting to the paint, being physical, touching up, making all just different types of reads, different types of shots, worked a little on everything,” Black said.
Those improvements could prove important as Sweeney determines roles during his first training camp with Orlando.
Black's combination of size and defensive versatility gives the Magic another option capable of defending multiple positions, while further development as a scorer and playmaker could increase his value within Orlando's rotation.
His long-term future, however, remains unsettled with the Oct. 19 extension deadline approaching.
For now, Black appears prepared to separate the business side of his situation from his responsibilities on the court. Whether an extension comes before the deadline or not, his focus entering his fourth season remains on building upon the best year of his NBA career and helping Orlando take another step.