Photos for Headline Surfer / TOP: Franz Wagner, shown left, and Paolo Banchero are the cornerstone of the Orlando Magic franchise now and well into the future.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
ORLANDO, Fla. -- With all the rumors swirling amid the NBA Finals involving high-profile players like Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo, don't look for the Orlando Magic to get in the mix.
The Magic aren't afraid to make a couple of modest trades involving Jonathan Isaac or Cole Anthony. Still, Orlando intends to get help for franchise player Paolo Banchero through the NBA Draft, but nothing extraordinary.
Two reasons to stand down:
• The Orlando Magic is a small-market team with limited cap room.
• Orlando has a great 1-2 punch in Banchero and small forward Franz Wagner.
Great team chemistry on the current roster got the Magic to the NBA postseason, defeating the Atlanta Hawks in the play-in tournament. The Magic won the game 120-95, securing the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Celtics defeated the Magic in five games, winning the series 4-1. This was the second consecutive year the Magic made the playoffs, but their run ended in the first round both times. Last year, they lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games.
With the Indiana Pacers holding a 2-1 lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the best-of-seven series of the NBA Finals, there's a lot of major trade talk centering on franchise players like Durant and Antetokounmpo, along with the possibility of other star players like Jimmy Butler being moved.
The Phoenix Suns are reportedly actively looking to trade Durant, with the New York Knicks, Miami Heat, and Houston Rockets being mentioned as potential suitors. Additionally, the Golden State Warriors have been linked to trades for both Durant and LeBron James.
The Orlando Magic sees the team improving through the upcoming NBA Draft, with picks Nos. 16 and No. 25 in the first round and two second-round picks at Nos. 46 and 57.
Those two first-round picks provide a major opportunity to add talent to the roster and operate aggressively throughout the draft.
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"With the team operating with a 'win-now' lens now, it does not seem like the team has the time for two rookies," Magic insider Philip Rossman-Reich said. "Jett Howard, Tristan da Silva, and Caleb Houstan all struggled to crack the rotation. And the Magic seemingly want to add more veterans."
The Magic must take care of Banchero before any major moves are contemplated. The Magic are in a strong position to extend Paolo Banchero and are expected to offer him a supermax contract, potentially the highest percentage of the salary cap allowed.
Banchero's potential extension is key to the team's long-term plans, aligning with their desire to build around him and Franz Wagner. Banchero is eligible for a five-year, $247 million extension, potentially the supermax contract. This is the highest percentage of the salary cap that can be offered to a player under the new NBA contract rules.
The Magic must take care of Banchero before any major moves are contemplated. The Magic are in a strong position to extend Paolo Banchero and are expected to offer him a supermax contract, potentially the highest percentage of the salary cap allowed. Banchero's potential extension is key to the team's long-term plans, aligning with their desire to build around him and Franz Wagner. Banchero is eligible for a five-year, $247 million extension, potentially the supermax contract. This is the highest percentage of the salary cap that can be offered to a player under the new NBA contract rules.
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Team's Perspective: The Magic will likely want to maximize their chances of retaining Banchero and are expected to make a strong offer. They are building a young, promising team around him and want him to be a key part of that future.
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Banchero's Perspective: Banchero is eager to commit to the Magic long-term and sees Orlando as a place where he can thrive.
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Financial Considerations: While the Magic are committed to Banchero, his supermax extension will be a significant financial commitment, especially with the recent contract extensions of Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs.
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Future Plans: The Magic are also working to improve their roster and are seeking to add offensive talent, particularly three-point shooters and a lead guard.
The Orlando Magic's current roster includes players like Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. According to HoopsHype, the team's total payroll is approximately $154 million, making it the 29th highest in the league.
Orlando Magic's financial commitments
The Orlando Magic's roster and player salaries for the 2025-26 season are as follows:
Key Players:
- Paolo Banchero: Projected to be a maximum contract player.
- Jalen Suggs: Has a new extension set to kick in, significantly impacting the Magic's payroll.
- Franz Wagner: Signed a five-year, $224 million maximum contract, impacting the payroll.
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: Has a three-year, $66 million contract with the Magic.
- Wendell Carter Jr.: Under contract for at least the next two years.
Contracted Players:
- Cole Anthony: Under contract, with a team option.
- Jonathan Isaac: Under contract, with a team option.
- Gary Harris: Cap number remains even.
- Moritz Wagner: Cap number remains even.
- Goga Bitadze: Contract declines next season.
- Anthony Black: Has a team option.
Salary Cap Considerations:
- The Magic's extensions for Suggs and Wagner will significantly increase their payroll.
- They are projected to be over the first luxury tax apron and slightly under the second one.
- They will face trade restrictions if they cannot stay under the second apron.
Salary Information:
- Jonathan Isaac: $15.0 million.
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: $21.6 million.
- Cole Anthony: $13.1 million.
- Paolo Banchero: $15.3 million.
- Wendell Carter Jr.: $10.85 million.
- Moritz Wagner: $11.0 million.
- Jalen Suggs: $35.0 million.
- Franz Wagner: $38.66 million.
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