Skybox wrote:no interest in Marcus Smart. ORL needs explosive offensive potential in their backcourt...the other two targets (Murray, Simons) are my top 2 trade targets. Either would catapult ORL into serious Eastern Conference contention for the foreseeable future. Super young team with an amazing defense, but impotent offensive backcourt beyond Suggs (who's good but not really a major offensive threat).
ORL could pay Malik Monk, but I'd rather send out some salary in a trade and then use cap space to try for Claxton or Hartenstein.
ORL sends: Wendell Carter, Jett Howard (happy to sub a frp in for Howard-but POR might prefer his upside, shooting, size)
POR sends: Simons
ORL then signs Nic Claxton and, barring injury hell, make a legit bid to be #2 seed in the East next year and beyond. They're really not missing much - their defense is elite already and, other than next year's DPOY - Isaac, they don't really have a rim protector. Settling for Goga is not necessary, as ORL FO has put themselves in position to do more this summer.
I'm not sure if Orlando has the ammo to do this, but acquiring BOTH Murray and Simons is interesting. They have complimentary skill sets with Murray being an on ball playmaker and Simons being a knock down shooter and Murray's size allows Simons to play off ball offensively without having an undersized defensive backcourt.
Murray/Simons/Franz/Palo/WCJ