NBA: Magic Ensure Guard, Center Will Return In 2020-21

The Orlando Magic have made a brave call to pick up the 2020-21 option for Markelle Fultz despite the shooting guard/point guard yet to play a single game for the franchise. The contract option will see him earn $12.3 million next season, a hefty sum for the franchise to pay for a player who has struggled with injuries.

The 21-year-old was the no. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft but failed to have the desired impact for the Philadelphia 76ers. He played just 14 games in his rookie season in 2017-18 and a further 19 games in 2018-19.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Magic’s decision to pick up his option for the 2020-21 campaign. The show of faith from the franchise is certain to give the player great encouragement during his recovery process after being diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome last November.

Magic have not announced a timeline for his return from injury but the player has not played since last November when he was still with the Sixers. He was traded to the Orlando franchise before the trade deadline in February earlier in the year but ESPN’s Zach Lowe believes it is a sensible decision as the team’s starting point guard D.J. Augustin is in the final year of his deal.

“Fultz's option is $12.3 million -- a huge number considering he has played in 33 career games and all the related questions. This is a meaningful decision. D.J. Augustin, their starting PG, is in the last year of his current deal,” Lowe wrote.

Magic confirmed their decision to pick up the option for the former No. 1 pick on Monday and he was not the only player they decided to retain. The franchise also picked up the options on 2018’s No. 6 pick Mohamed Bamba and small forward/power forward Jonathan Isaac, who was the No. 6 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.