Inside Anthony Black's Questionable Future With Orlando Magic

As the Orlando Magic approach the 2026-27 NBA regular season, Anthony Black’s future with the franchise remains up in the air.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Black and the Magic are not presently close on an extension, meaning that the 22-year-old former sixth-round pick out of Arkansas has a very real chance of entering restricted free agency next summer.

The Magic are in a difficult position because of how much money is being spent on their core unit of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane, and Jalen Suggs. Their impact on the payroll alone has catapulted Orlando near the second apron threshold, and it is possible that the front office feels as though giving Black an extension now would not constitute financial responsibility.

Black demonstrated tremendous improvement on the offensive end last season, but parts of his game remain lacking, and he will need to show that his strengths can compensate for his weaknesses if he cannot develop them.

Recently, I discussed the prospect of an extension for Black with my colleague RJ Saunders of 1010XL Magic and also highlighted what it means for Black if he does not receive it:

"Black has taken pretty exponential jumps each of his first three years in the league. He came in as a rookie, and I believe he played in 69 games, made 33 starts, and only averaged 4.6 points per game. He had to work through those growing pains. Next season, after that, he increased his points per game by almost five points, and then last year jumped up to 15.

So, he's growing as a scorer, and I really believe that under the guidance of former assistant God Shammgod, he was able to improve his handle, learn how to create his own shot and we saw him legitimately take over games. I will never forget, RJ, that game against the Denver Nuggets two days after Christmas. He dropped 38 and goes head-to-head with the Joker, right? So the kid has it in him, but can he do it consistently? There are other parts of his game that are lacking.

He's not a great perimeter shooter. He's pretty mediocre at the free-throw line, and he's still learning how to facilitate for his teammates. So I do think that an extension is out there.

I know Keith Smith of Spotrac kind of envisioned him falling somewhere in the four-year, $80 million range, but if the Magic decide to keep him on ice, this is absolutely a prove-it year for the young man because next year he hits restricted free agency."