The Orlando Magic have exercised the option in Markelle Fultz’s contract for the 2020-21 season, the team announced on Monday.
The move shows Orlando’s confidence in the former No. 1 overall pick, who has yet to play a game for the team after being acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers at the trade deadline last season.
The option in Fultz’s contract is worth $12.3 million, according to Zach Lowe of ESPN.
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. https://t.co/hMPxbQsnlp
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) September 16, 2019
Fultz has struggled with injuries, which have impacted his jump shot, during his two seasons in the league. He played in just 14 games during his rookie season in 2017-18 and 19 games in 2018-19.
The 21-year-old guard is still recovering from the thoracic outlet syndrome he was diagnosed with last season. The Magic have not announced a timeline for his return to the floor.
"He was a consensus number one pick in the draft two years ago, and he's twenty years old, and he's a terrific kid by all accounts…" – Jeff Weltman on Markelle Fultz pic.twitter.com/9ROmnkYXFU
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) February 8, 2019
The Magic also exercised the 2020-21 options for Jonathan Isaac and Mo Bamba.
