Jalen Suggs, the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, and the Orlando Magic have agreed to a contract extension. According to team policy, Jeff Weltman, President of Basketball Operations for Orlando, made the announcement, but he did not reveal the deal’s exact parameters. The team’s dedication to Suggs, a young guard with promise who has contributed greatly to the Magic since joining, is cemented by this deal.

Suggs showed consistent growth and an increasing influence on both ends of the court in his second NBA season. The 6’5″ guard averaged 12.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game during the previous season’s 75 regular-season games. Additionally, Suggs demonstrated his defensive skills by leading the club with an average of 1.41 thefts per game. He averaged 27.0 minutes per game and made 153 of 385 three-point tries, good for a respectable.397 three-point shooting percentage.

Last season, Suggs’ ability to score was a key component for Orlando. In 11 games, he scored more than 20 points, and he scored in double figures 53 times. On January 5, he recorded a career-high 27 points against the Denver Nuggets, his most noteworthy effort to date. Suggs’ efforts went beyond only his scoring, as he highlighted his versatility by leading or tying the team in assists eight times and rebounds twice.

He started all seven of the Magic’s postseason games as a result of his strong play. In 33.2 minutes per game, Suggs averaged 14.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.29 steals during the playoffs, increasing his production. His importance as a vital member of the Magic’s squad was further highlighted by this postseason experience.

Orlando’s trust in Suggs’ growth and future prospects is demonstrated by his extension. The youthful guard has established himself as a vital member of the Magic, providing the group with both energy and variety. Suggs is anticipated to be a key player in Orlando’s quest for sustained success as the team continues to assemble around its youthful core. Suggs wants to keep improving and help the Magic compete at a greater level in the upcoming seasons, so the agreement guarantees that he will continue to be a key component of Orlando’s plans going ahead.

Suggs was selected to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team for 2023–24. He tied for 12th place in the NBA in terms of steals-to-turnover ratio (0.80, 106/132) and tied for eighth place in terms of steals. Suggs had a career-high six steals against Atlanta on November 9 and recorded at least one steal 57 times and two or more steals 31 times. In addition, he recorded 35 blocks of at least one shot and 11 blocks of two or more, including a career-high three blocks on January 12 against Miami.

Suggs was first chosen by Orlando in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2021 NBA Draft. He has played in 176 NBA regular season games (139 starts), all with Orlando, and has averaged 11.5 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game, 3.2 assists per game, and 1.32 stl pg in 26.0 minutes per game.

Suggs played and started in 30 games during his lone season (2020–21) at Gonzaga University before being drafted. He averaged 14.4 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, 4.5 assists per game, and 1.90 stl pg in 29.0 minutes per game while shooting.503 (155–308) from the field. He was selected to the 2020–21 All-West Coast Conference First Team, the WCC Newcomer of the Year, the 2021 WCC Tournament Most Outstanding Player, and the consensus All-America Second Team.

In addition, Suggs was one of five contenders for the 2020–21 USWBA National Freshman of the Year award and the 2020–21 Bob Cousy Award, which is presented to the best point guard in the country. The Bulldogs finished 31-1 under his leadership, losing only to Baylor in the 2021 NCAA Championship game. In the 2021 NCAA Final Four against UCLA on April 3, Suggs made the game-winning three-pointer from just beyond halfcourt with seconds remaining.