As the Orlando Magic are less than a week away from the start of the 2026-27 regular season, an impasse seems to be growing between guard Anthony Black and the organization regarding a contract extension. 

According to a recent report by ESPN NBA Insider Brian Windhorst, the recent contract extension signed by Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski, which is worth $110 million over five years, is adding another layer to the complications in Black’s negotiations.

Windhorst's report comes just days after NBA insider Mark Stein reported that Black and the Magic are not currently close on a deal.

Black and Podziemski were both members of the 2023 draft class; both were first-round selections, with Black selected 6th overall and Podziemski 19th.

Podziemski started as the more impactful scorer for his team than Black, but by year three, the players were comparable in what they provided. What's more, as Windhorst notes, Black and Podziemski share an agent: Bill Duffy of WME Basketball. 

Last season was a breakout campaign for Black, as he averaged a career-high 15 points per game and was a productive sixth man off an otherwise struggling bench unit. During the Magic's media day on Sept. 28, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman applauded Black's growth, saying he was going to just get better and better. 

Weltman also said that the organization will have continuous conversations with Black's representatives up until the deadline for a rookie extension, which is Monday. However, Podziemski's contract certainly puts additional pressure on Orlando to get something done, not only sooner rather than later, but in a comparable range.

The problem for the Magic is that they are well above the first apron due to the financial commitments they have made to Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane and Jalen Suggs. Each player is set to make over $30 million this season, which puts a strain on Orlando's flexibility.

If Orlando's front office and Black cannot reach an agreement, he will be set for restricted free agency after this summer. He is set to play this season on a $10.1 million club option, which was exercised in October 2025.

This is a tough situation to be in for both sides because Black has demonstrated the type of improvement that is worthy of a payday, but it may not be able to happen with the Magic. On Orlando's side, there is a risk of losing a productive young player, and his loss would be detrimental to a team whose depth is already questionable.

Recently, I discussed the prospect of Black's future with the organization with my colleague RJ Saunders of 1010XL Magic, and we both provided our thoughts on the type of deal he could receive. Now, tension has been added to the situation.