Kofi Inkoom
The Orlando Magic have made the decision to exercise the rookie scale team options for their promising young talents: forward Franz Wagner, guard Jalen Suggs, and forward Paolo Banchero, ensuring their salaries for the 2024/25 season are locked in. This follows the already guaranteed salaries for the upcoming 2023/24 season.
Wagner and Suggs will see their fourth-year options for 2024/25 at $7,007,092 and $9,188,385, respectively. This move also paves the way for them to become eligible for rookie scale extensions in the next offseason.
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On the other hand, Banchero’s third-year option for ’24/25 guarantees him $12,160,800. Orlando will need to make a similar decision regarding his fourth-year option for ’25/26 next fall.
In terms of performance, Wagner, at 22 years old, displayed impressive stats, averaging 18.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, showcasing his shooting prowess with a solid shooting line of 48.5% from the field, 36.1% from beyond the arc, and an 84.2% free throw rate in the 2022/23 season.
Additionally, he played a pivotal role in leading Germany to a World Cup gold medal this past summer.
Suggs, the fifth overall pick in the 2021 draft, has had his share of ups and downs since entering the NBA, with shooting percentages of 38.7% from the field, 27.1% from three-point range, and 75.2% from the free-throw line, accompanied by averages of 10.8 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game across 101 NBA appearances.
Nevertheless, Orlando remains optimistic about his development, as evidenced by this commitment beyond the upcoming season.
As for Banchero, he’s already made a name for himself with a Rookie of the Year campaign, averaging an impressive 20.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game while shooting at rates of 42.7% from the field, 29.8% from three-point territory, and 73.8% from the free-throw line in 72 games during his debut season.
He’s determined to enhance his shooting efficiency in his second year and has expressed his aspirations to achieve All-Star status.