MIAMI - The Orlando Magic, stung by the loss of Grant Hill to the Phoenix Suns, have signed All-Star forward Dwight Howard to a contract extension, the team said Thursday.

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (L) is pressured by Detroit Pistons forward Antonio McDyess during the second half of Game 2 of their NBA Eastern Conference basketball playoff game in Auburn Hills, Michigan, in this file photo from April 23, 2007. The Orlando Magic, stung by the loss of Grant Hill to the Phoenix Suns, have signed All-Star forward Howard to a contract extension, the team said Thursday.[AP]

Howard started in all 82 games last season, averaging a career-best 17.6 points. He also paced the Magic with 12.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks a game.

"Dwight has already become one of the most intimidating forces in the league down low, and at 21 he is only going to get better," said Magic General Manager Otis Smith.

"We continue to make this organization one in which fans can be proud of, both on and off the court, and Dwight is obviously a big part of that."

Terms were not released but the Orlando Sun-Sentinel reported the deal to be a five-year extension worth an estimated $85 million,

The extension comes one day after the Magic completed a deal with Seattle that brought forward Rashard Lewis to Orlando with a six-year contract worth a reported $118 million.

Orlando lost unrestricted free agent Hill when the seven-times All-Star signed with Phoenix this week.