The 2017-18 regular season is set to get underway on Tuesday night, which has set the league-wide deadline for contract extensions for Monday afternoon.
With that in mind, veteran basketball reporter David Pick reported that the Orlando Magic were unable to work out a new deal with fourth-year forward Aaron Gordon.
Source: Orlando Magic and Aaron Gordon couldn't reach an agreement on extension as the former No. 4 overall pick bets on himself.
— David Pick (@IAmDPick) October 16, 2017
Through his first three seasons in the league, Gordon has shown progressive development in his overall game on both ends of the court. However, the fact that he did not agree to a new contract puts a tremendous weight on his shoulders to prove that he's worth a new lucrative deal.
At this point, the Magic have the ability to offer him a $7.2 million qualifying offer for the 2018-19 season that would make him a restricted free agent and give the front office the ability to match any deal that is presented to him by another team on the open market next summer.
This shouldn't downplay that the ball is now in Gordon's court to showcase that he's worth garnering a major contract offer. He had displayed much promise in the preseason where averaged 18.4 points on 53.6 percent shooting from the field and 42.8 percent from beyond the arc with 7.4 rebounds through 23.8-minute average in fives games played. This includes recording a double-figures four times along with two 20-point outings and a pair of double-doubles.
If that is any indication of what may unfold this upcoming season, Gordon could be in store for a huge payday next July.
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