The Orlando Magic have exercised their third-year team option on guard-forward Mario Hezonja, while also exercising their fourth-year team options on forward Aaron Gordon and guard Elfrid Payton, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deals are not disclosed. All three players are now signed through the 2017-18 season.
Gordon (6’9”, 220, 9/16/95) played in 78 games (37 starts) last season with Orlando, averaging 9.2 ppg., 6.5 rpg. and 1.6 apg. in 23.9 minpg. Originally selected in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft by Orlando, he has appeared in 125 career regular season NBA games (45 starts), all with the Magic, averaging 7.7 ppg., 5.4 rpg. and 1.3 apg. in 21.3 minpg.
Hezonja (6’8”, 218, 2/25/95) played in 79 games (nine starts) last season during his rookie campaign with Orlando, averaging 6.1 ppg., 2.2 rpg. and 1.4 apg. in 17.9 minpg. He was originally selected in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2015 NBA Draft by the Magic.
Payton (6’4”, 185, 2/22/94) played in 73 games (69 starts) last season with Orlando, averaging 10.7 ppg., a team-high 6.4 apg., 3.6 rpg. and 1.22 stlpg. in 29.4 minpg. He was tied for 12th in the NBA in assists, ranked 15th in assists-to-turnover ratio (2.64, 467/177) and 40th in steals. Originally selected in the first round (tenth overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft by Philadelphia, Payton was acquired by Orlando in exchange for the draft rights to Dario Saric, a future first round draft pick and a future second round draft pick on June 26, 2014. He has appeared in 155 career regular season NBA games (132 starts), all with the Magic, averaging 9.7 ppg., 6.5 apg., 3.9 rpg. and 1.49 stlpg. in 29.9 minpg. He was named to the 2014-15 NBA All-Rookie First Team and finished fourth in voting for NBA Rookie of the Year.