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5 questions for the Orlando Magic entering free agency

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Cole Anthony is playing for a contract as he and the Orlando Magic will have a choice to make this offseason. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
Cole Anthony is playing for a contract as he and the Orlando Magic will have a choice to make this offseason. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports /
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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – MARCH 28: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Orlando Magic brings the ball up court during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on March 28, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – MARCH 28: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Orlando Magic brings the ball up court during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on March 28, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /

5 questions for the Orlando Magic entering free agency

Do the Orlando Magic extend Cole Anthony or Markelle Fultz?

When the free agency dust settles, the Orlando Magic will likely turn to their own roster to complete their offseason.

Perhaps the team does it sooner and just gets it done as a statement of intent and get teams to start calling about their players. But the Magic have some business to take care of with their own roster.

Both Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony are extension eligible with their contracts set to expire at the end of the 2024 season. Fultz will be an unrestricted free agent while Anthony would enter unrestricted free agency if the team does not come to an extension agreement.

Before the draft, it felt like the Magic would likely try to secure one or both of these players and just take care of their business before the season started and eliminate any drama.

Adding both Anthony Black and Jett Howard has complicated the situation some more.

The Magic are now loaded with guards. And it feels like the Magic either cannot afford to keep both players or have their backup plan should one of those players be on the way out — in the short or long term.

Certainly, it feels like the equation has changed now and it is not clear whether the Magic will look to extend one or both of them for that matter.

What the markets would be for Fultz and Anthony are also both tough to estimate.

Fultz is coming off a three-year deal that will pay him a closing yearly salary of $17 million. To keep him would likely mean bumping his salary above $20 million. While he had a strong end to last season, Fultz has a lot to prove. It depends on how comfortable the Magic are in investing in him.

Anthony is coming off his rookie contract. He is likely seeking a salary in the $15-20 million range. He may also have the goal of ultimately starting in the NBA rather than playing the Sixth Man role the Magic are likely slotting him for.

The Magic have carefully managed their books to create financial flexibility. Even with the prospect of a rising cap and the need to position themselves for future trades, the Magic are running out of time to be big spenders in free agency.

That might increase the need to be aggressive this offseason.

Next. Paolo Banchero joining Team USA is a sign of Orlando Magic's arrival. dark

Everything plays with each other. And it is not clear what direction the Magic will go. But it will reverberate beyond this offseason and lead us right into training camp.