Magic Pick Up Option on Ryan Anderson

The Orlando Magic announced Friday they have exercised their fourth-year team option on Ryan Anderson's contract.

Anderson, who will be playing his third year in the NBA this upcoming season, was due to become a free agent this summer under the NBA's standard rookie contract with the Magic holding the option to retain him. He is now under contract through the 2011-12 season, where he will have an option to stay with the team an additional year or test free agency.

Anderson was drafted by New Jersey in 2008, one pick ahead of Courtney Lee. He was added to the Vince Carter trade as more than a throw in to make that deal work. He then surprised Magic fans (pleasantly, of course) by averaging 7.7 points per game and shooting 37 percent from beyond the arc. Especially in Rashard Lewis' absence at the beginning of the season, Anderson distinguished himself off the bench because he allowed Orlando to continue playing its 4-out/1-in style.

Anderson figures once again to compete for the backup power forward role with Brandon Bass, and like last year matchups may dictate when he plays or does not play. Anderson fits more of the stretch-4 style because of his shooting ability, but he also showed some nice skills attacking the offensive glass. But no one is going to confuse him for a bruising power forward.

Terms of the deal were not released, per team policy. But HoopsHype estimates Anderson will get a nice pay raise to $2.24 million next year from the $1.4 million he is due to make this year.