The NBA season starts on Tuesday. Anthony Black's future with the Orlando Magic remains murky. It still looks like Black won't get a contract extension, as Orlando prioritizes paying its four core veterans: Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, and Desmond Bane.
In the latest edition of The Stein Line, Marc Stein laid out the state of play for the Magic.
“The Magic remain big fans of the 22-year-old and don't want to trade him, league sources say, but Orlando also knows that its payroll can't withstand another pricey long-term deal with Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs and Desmond Bane all on long-term pacts and each of them making between $32.4 million (Suggs) and $41.8 million (Wagner) this season. Which means Orlando might feel as though it's wisest to let Black go to restricted free agency next summer to give itself more time to map out how it wants to proceed with its main fivesome”
Last week, Stein said Black and the Orlando Magic front office haven't had any meaningful conversations about an extension.
“The Stein Line has been advised by sources briefed on the situation to classify an extension for Magic swingman Anthony Black as unlikely at this current juncture,” Stein wrote. “Sources say that the sides have not engaged in any meaningful extension dialogue to date…”
On Sunday evening, ClutchPoints Senior NBA Reporter Brett Siegel also remained bullish on Black receiving an extension and pointed to his potential restricted free agency in the summer of 2027.
Article Continues Below“I’d be very surprised if they got a new deal before tomorrow. Magic haven’t made a respectable offer compared to what the market is this offseason. Don’t blame Anthony Black for wanting to wait. He’ll be the best RFA/young talent available next summer,” Siegel posted on his X account.
According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, teams across the league are monitoring the Anthony Black contract situation to see if it could create a trade opportunity.
“Teams are watching Magic guard Anthony Black, who is coming off a breakout year in which he averaged 15.0 points and started 40 games…So the Magic are squeezed on their books and, after trading four first-round picks for Desmond Bane last year, are short on draft assets. This has led rival teams to watch whether Orlando considers moving on from Black if they can't come to terms on a rookie extension before the Monday deadline.”