The Magic’s president of basketball operations, Jeff Weltman, confirmed on Thursday that Jase Richardson had formally signed his rookie-scale deal.
In the first round of last month’s NBA draft, Orlando selected him with the 25th overall pick.
In the second round, the Magic also acquired French forward Noah Penda, who is anticipated to sign a contract with the team soon.
During one season with the Spartans, Richardson scored 12.1 points per game, shot 41.2% from 3-point range, dished out 3.3 rebounds, and contributed 1.9 assists in 25.3 minutes across 36 games. He was selected to the All-Big Ten third team.
The 19-year-old’s four-year, $15.3 million contract with the Magic would pay him $2.98 million this season if he signed for 120% of the rookie-scale price, as nearly all first-round players do.
Although the organization did not reveal the terms of the agreement, the NBA’s 2025–2026 salary budget determines the rookie scale for first-round contracts inked this year. Each first-round selection is given a salary amount.
For the first two years, rookie scale contracts are assured, and for the third and fourth years, team options are available.
According to a league source who spoke to the Orlando Sentinel, the Magic have retracted their two-way qualifying offer for guard Mac McClung.
He was a restricted free agent as of Tuesday after Orlando initially extended a one-year, two-way qualifying offer to him on Monday. McClung is now an unrestricted free agent and can more easily look for possibilities elsewhere after the qualifying offer is retracted.
Only nine of the 50 NBA games permitted on a two-way contract were played by the three-time NBA dunk contest champion, who only made two appearances under his two-way contract in Orlando last season.
Along with Jalen Suggs and Anthony Black, the Magic have an abundance of guards after trading for Desmond Bane, selecting Richardson, and reaching an agreement with free agency Tyus Jones. They will also be able to use their two remaining two-way contracts to help with other roster depth requirements.
Only guard Ethan Thompson is currently on a two-way contract with Orlando. Next week, Thompson will attend the Las Vegas Summer League alongside Richardson and Penda.
You can contact Jason Beede at [email protected].
