Magic guard Jalen Suggs is eligible for a rookie scale extension up until October 21 and expressed optimism on Monday at Orlando’s media day that he and the team will be able to work something out, as Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel relays. President of basketball operations Jeff Weltman echoed that optimism.
“Jalen is a big part of what we’re doing and everybody knows that,” Weltman said. “For the person that he is, for the player that he is, I’m always hopeful that we can get something done. We have great relations with his representatives. I know that Jalen wants to be a part of the Magic. He’s an integral part of the chemistry and the team on and off the court. … We’ve had communications with his reps, but beyond that I won’t speak on those conversations.”
The No. 5 overall pick in the 2021 draft, Suggs struggled to score efficiently during his first two NBA seasons but enjoyed a breakout year in 2023/24.
In 75 games (all starts), the 23-year-old averaged a career-high 12.6 points per game on .471/.397/.756 shooting while also chipping in 3.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per night. He earned a spot on the All-Defensive Second Team and showed up on Most Improved Player and Defensive Player of the Year ballots.
After the Magic parted with Markelle Fultz in free agency and opted not to pursue an upgrade at the point guard spot, Suggs figures to see a “significant” bump in offensive responsibilities, head coach Jamahl Mosley said on Monday. The fourth-year guard is welcoming that challenge.
“It’s something that I’ve wanted from the day I’ve stepped into this league,” Suggs said. “I wasn’t prepared for it (before). I wasn’t ready for it. God knew that and He slowed me down through injuries, bad times and trials, and really tested my resolve and how badly I wanted to be here. And I want to be here. I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
As we noted within our check-in on the Magic’s offseason, Suggs’ representatives at Wasserman Basketball will likely bring up the five-year, $131MM rookie scale extension Jaden McDaniels signed last fall in their conversations with Orlando’s front office.
The Timberwolves forward averaged 12.1 PPG with a .398 3PT% and excellent defense during the 2022/23 season before signing that contract, so Suggs’ reps could argue that their client deserves a similar deal, given his similar third-year numbers — or perhaps even a more lucrative one, after accounting for his added offensive responsibilities.
If Suggs and the Magic don’t agree to terms on an extension this fall, he’ll be eligible for restricted free agency next summer.
I remember when people complained when raptors took Barnes over sluggs lol
but why extend a 12 PER PG at rookie scale figures?
Just out of curiosity:
I literally had NO idea before the awards were announced that Suggs was even a passable defender. Granted, I don’t watch any Magic games, but I’m pretty savvy when it comes to draft season and NBA rosters.
Was it well known that Suggs came into the league as a defender? Because I don’t remember that at all.
Ben Z. , yes, Suggs was considered an exceptional defender at Gonzaga, and that contributed to the hype about him being the #1 selection in the draft. Suggs is a dog.
Remember, Suggs was, first, a football player, ranked the #2 option QB in the nation as a HS senior, and offered by Ohio State, Georgia etc. At Gonzaga, he made his rep as a defensive *bully*, but it was also clear that he was an exceptionally smart team defender.
I’m betting you didn’t hear about Suggs for a couple of reasons. First, Orlando.
Second, Suggs was awful offensively in his rookie year. Some attributed that to the fact he played *too* hard on defense — he’d lose his cool, get bad fouls, etc. But, defensively, he was excellent.
Today, Suggs is considered a top 5 on-ball defender in the league in any ranking, analytic or subjective. IMO, only Marcus Smart is better on the ball. Close behind are Caruso and Suggs. But Suggs is also a super-smart team defender, like Draymond, with enough size to guard 3 positions.