The Orlando Magic won’t sign two of their former first-round picks – Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton – to contract extensions. According to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel, the Magic plan to use the coming season to evaluate the entire roster before signing anyone to long-term extensions. League rules indicate that teams have until Monday to sign former first-round picks entering their fourth seasons to contract extensions. If the Magic don’t sign Gordon and Payton to contract extensions, they will become restricted free agents in July. If that happens, the Magic will have to match any offer sheet that Gordon or Payton may get from other teams.
Payton was picked 10th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2014 NBA Draft but he was traded to the Magic on Draft Day for Dario Saric, a future first-round pick, and a future second-round pick. Gordon, for his part, was taken fourth overall by the Magic in 2014. In 82 games last season, the 6-foot-4 Payton averaged 12.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.5 assists. The 6-foot-9 Gordon averaged 12.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in 80 games, with 72 starts, last season.
Magic front office to evaluate roster first
Jeff Weltman, who was hired together with John Hammond in May to lead the Magic’s basketball operations department, said that Gordon and Payton are both talented and could help the team succeed in the future.
However, he and Hammond will first evaluate if they deserve a long-term extension or allow them to play for other teams in 2018. Calvin Andrews, Gordon’s agent, said his client might not sign an extension with the Magic before Monday’s deadline.
Simmons biggest offseason acquisition for Magic
The Magic signed their biggest offseason acquisition – Jonathon Simmons – to a three-year deal.
According to Spotrac, Simmons will earn $6.3 million in his first year, $6 million in the second year, and $5.7 million in the final year, with $13.3 million guaranteed. Simmons played 78 games for the San Antonio Spurs last season, averaging 6.2 points in 17.8 minutes of action per game. Simmons increased his scoring in the playoffs in the absence of the injured Kawhi Leonard, averaging 10.5 points in 15 postseason games.
The Magic also selected 6-foot-10 forward Jonathan Isaac sixth overall in the 2017 NBA Draft out of Florida State. In five preseason games with the Magic, Isaac averaged 5.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 21.6 minutes of action.
