ORLANDO – The Orlando Magic have exercised their third-year team option on forward Paolo Banchero, as well as their fourth-year team options on guard Jalen Suggs and forward Franz Wagner, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deals are not disclosed. All three players are now signed through the 2024-25 season.
Banchero (6’10”, 250, 11/12/02) was originally selected in the first round (first overall) of the 2022 NBA Draft by Orlando. He played and started in 72 games during his rookie campaign last season with the Magic, averaging a team-high 20.0 ppg., 6.9 rpg. and 3.7 apg. in 33.7 minpg. Banchero was named the 2022-23 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year and was a unanimous selection to the 2022-23 NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Suggs (6’5”, 212, 6/3/01) was originally selected in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2021 NBA Draft by Orlando. He has played in 101 career NBA regular season games (64 starts), all with Orlando, averaging 10.8 ppg., 3.6 apg., 3.3 rpg. and 1.25 stlpg. in 25.3 minpg.
Wagner (6’10”, 230, 8/27/01) was originally selected in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2021 NBA Draft by Orlando. He has appeared and started in 159 career NBA regular season games, all with Orlando, averaging 16.9 ppg., 4.3 rpg. and 3.2 apg. in 31.7 minpg., while shooting .850 (460-541) from the free throw line. Wagner was named to the 2021-22 NBA All-Rookie First Team.