The Orlando Magic announced moments ago they have exercised the fourth-year option on Ryan Anderson's contract, locking in the 22-year-old power forward until the 2011/12 season. The news isn't surprising; very rarely do NBA teams not exercise these options on rookie-scale deals.
Anderson has spent this summer improving his body in the weight room. He figures to see more playing time this season, based on the indications the team has given about Rashard Lewis' spending more time at small forward this season.
Anderson averaged 7.7 points and 3.2 rebounds last season, his first in Magic pinstripes and second overall. He proved especially valuable during Rashard Lewis' ten-game suspension at the beginning of the season, averaging 15 points and 5 rebounds on 43.6 percent three-point shooting in his six starts during that span.
Orlando obtained Anderson and Vince Carter from the New Jersey Nets on June 25, 2009 for Rafer Alston, Tony Battie, and Courtney Lee.