The Orlando Magic are not playing well this season. After making the playoffs last year and trading for Desmond Bane in the offseason, the Magic had high expectations heading into 2025. However, a 1-3 start has fans feeling a little bit discouraged.
Along with their cold start, Orlando had to make some decisions regarding contracts. Jett Howard and Anthony Black are in their third year, while Tristan da Silva is in his second. The Magic had to decide whether or not to exercise or decline each player’s respective contract.
Per Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel, the Magic have opted to decline Howard’s fourth-year option, while exercising Black’s fourth-year and da Silva’s third-year option.
Howard, Black, and da Silva’s Contracts
GettyAnthony Black had his fourth-year rookie contract exercised by the Magic.
Howard is making $5.5 million in 2025/26. His fourth-year contract would have paid him $7.3 million, but Orlando has decided to make him an unrestricted free agent instead. That is not to say he can’t be re-signed in the offseason, but there is a likely chance he will be somewhere else next year. In fact, there is a chance the Magic might try to trade him during the season.
Black is owed a little bit more than Howard. He is making $7.9 million this year, but next season that bumps up to $10.1 million. Rookie contracts in the NBA are typically four years long with team options after year two. This means Black will be a restricted free agent after the 2026/27 season.
da Silva is making $3.8 million this year. Next season, the 2024 first-round pick will be making $3.9 million. Now, this is just his third-year option the Magic have decided to exercise. They will have another decision to make next year when it comes time to renew his contract for a fourth year.
How is Each Player Doing This Season?
GettyTristan da Silva and Anthony Black have both been valuable off the bench this season.
This year, Howard has only played two of the four games. In both of his appearances, the third-year pro has played less than 10 minutes. Howard, 22, has averaged just 3.7 points for his career, while shooting less than 40% from the field. He was the 11th overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, but has not lived up to the expectations set on him. Because of his struggles on the court, Orlando will be parting ways with him at the end of the year.
Black was the sixth overall pick in the same draft class as Howard. This year, the 21-year-old is averaging 12.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. He has not started any of the four games, but he has been a valuable asset off the bench.
da Silva is another valuable bench player for Orlando. He is averaging just over 20 minutes per game, 9.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. The 24-year-old is shooting just 41.9% from the field, but he has the ability to get hot from deep.
Black and da Silva will both be back in Orlando next year because of their contributions this season.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Magic Make Contract Decisions For Jett Howard, Tristan da Silva, Anthony Black appeared first on Heavy Sports.