Magic
Anthony Black will enter the season without an extension, leaving the Magic with a contract decision that could get more expensive if he takes another step.
Orlando and Black did not reach an agreement before Monday’s deadline. The fourth-year guard is now headed toward restricted free agency next summer after averaging 15.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists last season.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst previously reported that the Magic weren’t willing to match the $22 million annual average Brandin Podziemski received from the Warriors. Black and Podziemski share agent Bill Duffy.
Ryan Kaminski of Sports Illustrated argues that waiting could backfire, both financially and in the team’s relationship with Black. There’s no indication from Black himself that negotiations have affected his commitment, however.
The financial challenge is easier to identify. Orlando already has substantial money committed to Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane and Jalen Suggs. Black’s improvement has made him more valuable to the team, but potentially more expensive to keep.
Restricted free agency would give the Magic an opportunity to match an outside offer. It won’t necessarily give them a better price than they could have negotiated this fall.
Trail Blazers
Scoot Henderson is also heading into a contract year after the Trail Blazers passed on a rookie-scale extension, according to Chris Haynes, as relayed by Sahal Arwo of Sports Illustrated.
The former No. 3 overall pick showed progress last season, averaging 14.2 points and 3.7 assists while shooting 35.2 percent from three. He also delivered a 31-point performance against the Spurs in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Availability has been a concern. Henderson played just 30 regular-season games last season and has appeared in 158 of a possible 246 through his first three years.
General manager Joe Cronin said at media day that the sides had discussed an extension and wanted Henderson to remain in Portland long term. They’ll now have another season to evaluate the fit before negotiating again.
For Henderson, that means proving himself in a crowded backcourt that includes Ja Morant and Damian Lillard. There should be less pressure to carry the offense, but finding enough minutes to demonstrate his value presents a different challenge.
Mavericks
The Mavericks kept Moussa Cisse when they waived Dwight Powell on Monday. Had they gone the other way, several teams were prepared to take a look.
According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Bulls and Hawks had interest in claiming Cisse off waivers, while the Lakers and Sixers were interested in pursuing him on a two-way contract, relays Austin Veazey of Sports Illustrated.
Those were potential waiver and free-agent scenarios, rather than reported trade negotiations.
Dallas matched the offer sheet Cisse signed with the Knicks over the summer. The guaranteed money in that agreement would have prevented the Mavericks from waiving him and bringing him back on their own two-way deal.
Keeping him also addresses an immediate need. Dereck Lively II remains out following foot surgery, Santi Aldama is working back from knee surgery, and Morez Johnson Jr. has been on a minutes restriction because of shin splints.
Veazey raises a future Cisse trade as a possibility once the frontcourt gets healthier. Until then, the Mavericks have a use for the center other teams were hoping might become available.
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