5:01pm: Fultz’s extension is now official, according to the Magic.
4:18pm: The Magic have agreed to sign former No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz to a three-year rookie scale extension worth $50MM, agent Raymond Brothers tells ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). The deal, which will begin in 2021/22 after Fultz earns $12.3MM this season, includes a third-year team option, according to Josh Robbins of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Philadelphia traded up in the 2017 draft to select Fultz, but he was limited to 33 games in a season-and-a-half with the Sixers, as he dealt with a troublesome shoulder injury and struggled to regain the form that made him the top prospect in his class.
After being dealt to the Magic at the 2019 trade deadline, Fultz stayed healthy for the team last season, averaging 12.1 PPG, 5.1 APG, and 3.3 RPG on .465/.267/.730 shooting in 72 games (27.7 MPG). Orlando has been “thrilled” with his progress and views him as a key part of the team’s future, according to Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
Fultz’s new deal is an interesting one for him and the Magic, and is comparable to a few other rookie scale extensions signed in the last couple years by players who have dealt with injuries. Luke Kennard‘s new four-year, $56MM contract (which includes $8MM in additional incentives) is in the same range, as is Dejounte Murray‘s deal from a year ago (four years, $64MM, plus $6MM in incentives).
The closest comparable may be the three-year, $52.5MM extension Caris LeVert signed with the Nets a year ago. Like LeVert, Fultz only signed for three years, putting him in position to potentially reach unrestricted free agency in his prime — he’ll be just 26 years old when his new contract expires.
Fultz is one of two Magic players to reach an agreement today on a rookie scale extension, joining fellow franchise cornerstone Jonathan Isaac.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Jesus Christ. So many bad contracts being handed out …
If Fultz keeps developing (this is his age 22 season) this is a solid deal. The best contracts are the ones that pay for future production, not past production
Fultz has nerve damage in his shoulder. That is something that even with age he won’t be able to recover from.
Trade chip for the Knicks or jazz possibly??? Cole Anthony will be better!
Wow and wow and wow
“Thrilled” with his progress? Hopefully he shoots better than 26% from 3 this year
Made stealing money an art form. Sam Bradford of the NBA.
No way. Isaac’s deal is 10x worse than fultz.
Still don’t like his agent for the stuff he pulled in Philly.
WTH?
At least they have an out in third yr. So it’s only two yr guarantee. He played well last yr. But not well enough for 12 mill a yr. It’s business as usual I guess.
Fultz will go for 16 pts, 7 assists this year on 50% shooting inside the arc. That’s about right for that contract. 3 point shooting isn’t there, but that’s just not his game.
Augustin is gone but here comes Cole Anthony. I doubt the Fultz investment will ever work.out for Orlando.