Black and Penda make progress, extension talks continue, and the Magic get ready for their first preseason games under Sean Sweeney.
Orlando, FL – The Magic closed their first week of training camp with some encouraging news. Anthony Black and Noah Penda were back on the practice floor Sunday, giving Orlando a little more reason for optimism as the preseason approaches.
Black and Penda make progress
Sweeney said Black, who has been dealing with an ankle injury, and Penda, who has been working through a hamstring issue, practiced Sunday and increased their activity, according to Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel.
“They look good,” Sweeney said. “Hopefully they came out clean. Looks like they did.”
Their availability for the preseason opener remains unconfirmed, but getting more work in is an encouraging step.
Beede also reported that Jalen Suggs was feeling unwell. He did not see Suggs during the portion of practice open to media.
Black’s next contract is still a question
Black enters this season coming off career highs of 15 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists. His production has grown, and now Orlando has a decision to make about his future.
The deadline for an extension is Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. ET. Without an agreement, he could enter restricted free agency next summer.
“We’re in a lot of tighter quarters than we’ve been in years past,” Jeff Weltman said, per Beede.
The numbers explain why. Orlando already has $161.2 million committed to Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Suggs and Desmond Bane for 2027 to 2028. The team is also projected to pay the luxury tax this season for the first time in more than a decade.
Keeping Black would mean another investment in this group. How much Orlando is willing to commit remains one of the biggest questions before opening night.
Sweeney gets to work
The first week under Sweeney brought new defensive terminology and a tightly organized practice schedule.
“Every drill is scheduled to the second pretty much,” Wagner said, according to Orlando Magic Daily.
On offense, spacing was a priority. Sweeney wants players positioned properly so opponents have to defend more of the floor. As he told SI’s Ryan Kaminski, “It is not a choice. It is not optional.”
That message matters for players such as Tristan da Silva. After shooting 37.4% from three last season, he said Friday that he wants to be more aggressive about taking open shots.
“Actually hunting them,” da Silva said, per Beede.
Creating space only helps if players use it. For Orlando, part of improving the offense will be getting those decisions made before the defense has time to recover.
Thursday’s work included applying defensive pressure without fouling. Wendell Carter Jr., who averaged 3.4 fouls last season, identified that as a personal focus in Beede’s practice report. Friday brought more competition, including live post and isolation work.
We discussed the coaching change, Vucevic’s return and Orlando’s shooting questions on the latest Orlando Magic HQ Podcast. Anthony, Stephen and I are back with “We’re Back: Sean Sweeney, Vooch’s Return and Orlando’s Shooting Problem”.
More from around the roster
Beede’s Media Day recap offered several other updates worth keeping in mind:
Jonathan Isaac entered camp with a limited workload after a left knee sprain. At Media Day, Weltman estimated Izaiyah Nelson was still about a month from live basketball work following his ankle injury.
Nikola Vucevic acknowledged the adjustment of returning in a smaller role. Penda also discussed his conditioning, saying he had gone from 260 pounds to 236.
Orlando has 14 standard roster spots filled and was roughly $2.5 million below the second apron. Weltman said there were no immediate plans to fill the remaining opening, preserving an option if an injury creates a need.
Jamal Cain is looking for more responsibility, too. In Beede’s Saturday feature, Cain made his case after appearing in a career high 40 NBA games last season and shooting 38.4% from three.
Paolo sets the goal
Banchero was direct about his expectations at Media Day. He wants to win the Eastern Conference and “dominate every single night”.
The outside expectations are more cautious. Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey placed Orlando No. 15 in his preseason power rankings.
There is a lot of basketball between those October expectations and where the Magic ultimately finish. This week, the focus was on learning how Sweeney wants them to play.
The Week Ahead
- Wednesday, Oct. 7: at Memphis, 8 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 11: at Cleveland, 6:30 p.m., ESPN
The first things to watch are Black and Penda’s availability, and the combinations Sweeney puts on the floor. The games will also offer a better look at whether the spacing and defensive communication from practice carry over against an opponent.
For fans planning a trip to Kia Center this upcoming season, the Magic also announced new affordability options: monthly $20 ticket offers for text alert subscribers and a value menu with selected items priced from $2 to $7 in sections 115 and 218. Free weeknight SunRail service for game ticket holders will continue.
Black’s Oct. 19 extension deadline is approaching, too. Between the preseason and that decision, there will be plenty to follow as Orlando gets ready for the season.