Orlando Magic set their foundation, Franz Wagner gets the max
The Orlando Magic continue to build on the foundation of their 2024 Playoff run. Franz Wagner is back on a max contract extension that cements him as part of the Magic's future.
Orlando Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman has warned the bill for the Orlando Magic is about to get much higher. That is just the nature of how things go. When you draft as well as the Magic have drafted and set the foundation of your team through draft picks and homegrown players, they become costly when they come off their rookie contracts.
That is a good thing. That means they drafted well and are adding players who are worth extending and worth the massive pay increases that come with playing well.
Rookies are on cost-controlled contracts. They are meant to be bargains while they develop. You hope they are good enough to pay what they are worth -- even if the number is obscene.
You hope to be able to draft your foundation.
Weltman has been hinting that the team's foundation was already present. The Magic were at least partially hesitant to spend because they knew the bill was coming.