According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Cole Anthony is signing a three-year, $39 million rookie-scale extension with the Orlando Magic.
The Magic drafted Anthony with the 15th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Anthony would have become a restricted free agent next offseason if the Magic didn’t sign him to a rookie extension.
Anthony appeared in 60 games for the Magic last season. He averaged 13.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 45.4% from the field, 36.4% from beyond the arc and 89.4% from the free-throw line.
The 23-year-old Anthony has career NBA averages of 14.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists while shooting 41.1% overall, 34.5% from 3 and 86.1% from the foul line. His best game as a pro came against the Philadelphia 76ers on May 16, 2021. Anthony scored a career-high 37 points in 37 minutes while shooting 10-of-25 overall and 3-of-9 from 3-point range.
Anthony is expected to come off the bench for the Magic this season. The son of former NBA player Greg Anthony has appeared in 172 games and has come off the bench 103 times.
The Magic have a bright future with Anthony, Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Markelle Fultz, Wendell Carter Jr. and rookie Anthony Black leading the way. Orlando hasn’t made the playoffs since 2020, but the front office is confident that the playoff drought will end soon.
Banchero is the best player on the Magic. He won the Rookie of the Year Award last season.
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