“I’ve gotten better. The spotlight has shifted towards me and not just as Greg Anthony’s son. I think now he’s considered Cole Anthony’s dad. I’m very proud of that,” said Cole Anthony, confidently ahead of sophomore year for the Orlando Magic. The do-everything guard, playing his 5th season, has established himself as a crucial asset in the Magic’s second unit. Going deep into the Florida side’s injury-riddled season, Anthony has made a strong presence in the trade market. Before we go into it, let’s take a look at his NBA salary and contract.

The Magic is both unlucky as well as the most determined team in the season. First of all, the team didn’t rope any superstar into the roster despite having the purse value. the biggest trade they did during the off-season was roping in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The team believed in their core, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. Unfortunately, both players are sidelined for multiple weeks with injuries. Despite that, the team has shown promising signs. They even beat the Celtics with a short-handed roster.

Nevertheless, let’s find out the place that Cole Anthony holds in this ambitious team.

 What is Cole Anthony’s contract with the Orlando Magic? 

Cole Anthony, son of the former Knicks guard Greg Anthony, stepped into the fresh season, signing a three-year extension. In late October 2024, the star agreed to a three-year extension with the Magic for $39 million, as per his agents Jeff Schwartz and Javon Phillips. The contract runs from the current season and will mature in the 2026-27 season with a base year salary of $12.9 million.

In the next seasons, the star guard will earn $13 million each. Moreover, it’s important to note that the contract has given the club option for the last year of the contract, which means the franchise will have the power to decide whether to extend the contract or decline it. If the team declines, the star will turn into a free agent.

Notably, it was a rookie contract extension. Anthony signed a four-year rookie contract worth $15.8 million, with an annual salary of $3.9 million. With two more seasons left in his current contract, the star may end up in a different franchise, considering the growing trade rumors.

Which draft class does Cole Anthony belong to? Which university did he attend?

Before achieving the NBA limelight, Cole Anthony has already had enough exposure to the media gaze. Speaking of it, he said, “Just something I grew up with. Obviously, my dad played in the NBA, and since a young age, even when I really wasn’t that good a basketball player, the attention was on me. Since then, I’ve gotten better. The spotlight has shifted towards me.”

After going through a series of powerhouse high schools like Archbishop Molloy and Oak Hill Academy that produced NBA stars like Kenny Smith, Kenny Anderson, Kevin Durant, and Rojan Rando, the NBA world had a lot of expectations for the rising star. Notably, at Oak Hill, Anthony almost averaged a triple-double.

Following a much-hyped high school stint, Anthony headed to Chapel Hill to play college basketball at North Carolina in 2019. He didn’t waste any time. He proved his worth in the very first game. The guard went on to create an ACC freshman and UNC record after dropping 34 points and 11 rebounds. Speaking of his game, University of North Carolina coach Roy Williams said Anthony was “a different breed.”

The star finished the freshman year, averaging 19.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals in an injury-riddled stint, making his case for the NBA. Before he could set foot in his sophomore year, the COVID pandemic took over the world, and it completely wiped out the season. And it was time for him to choose the next step. Anthony signed up for the 2020 NBA draft and the Magic selected him with the 15th pick.

Speaking of the Draft, he said, “We honestly didn’t know which team was drafting me, so there was no floor to where I would go. It wasn’t until after the 13th pick that my agent called me and said Orlando will take me. Everybody was hyped.” The rest is history, the star went on to play a crucial role for the Magic.

Trade rumors: Will Cole Anthony continue to play with the Magic?

Following his rookie season, the team vested their trust in him, increasing his minutes. Anthony responded well and produced his career high average of 16.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, and 5.7 apg. Following that, the numbers have certainly taken a dip. Looking at the way things have panned out for the Magic, the team’s looking to shape their unit for the playoff run, as per the trade report.

Especially, Evan Sidery of Forbes stated that the Magic have “gauged the trade market” regarding Cole Anthony. Moreover, the star’s possible destination will be the Brooklyn Nets.

Following the Dennis Schroder trade, the team has a slot for a two-way guard. Anthony not only will fill the spot, but also reduce the average age of the team.

What do you think? Will Cole Anthony move to Brooklyn? Let us know in the comments.