The Orlando Magic plan to redshirt Chuma Okeke for the 2019-20 season while he rehabs from the torn left ACL he sustained in March, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.
By delaying the start of his rookie contract, the 2019 No. 16 overall pick stands to make an additional $1 million as Okeke's deal will now be tied to the higher 2020-21 rookie scale, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.
On the Magic's end, the team will have an additional roster spot and more money under the luxury tax to round out its lineup. Orlando is looking to improve upon last season's winning record (42-40), its first since 2010-11.
Okeke averaged 12 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game as a sophomore at Auburn last season. However, his recovery from the ACL injury he sustained during the Tigers' Sweet 16 game against North Carolina would've likely prevented the 6-foot-8 forward from having a meaningful impact on the Magic this season.
While atypical, the decision to redshirt a player who isn't under contract with another team - which is often the case with European prospects - isn't unprecedented. In 2014, the Oklahoma City Thunder drafted Josh Huestis No. 29 overall with an agreement that the Stanford forward would play with the team's G League affiliate for a year. Huestis eventually signed his rookie-scale deal in 2015.