RealGM

ORL sends: Moe Wagner (TO $11m), Gary Harris (TO $7.5m), DEN 25 frp, ORL 25 frp (Top 5), ORL 27 frp (Top 5)
UTA sends: Collin Sexton (one more year at $19.1), Walker Kessler (one more at $4.9, then RFA)

All ORL salary is expiring or TO and three frps...Wagner is hurt and will likely be out until next Christmas (I think), so this is really a matter of financial flexibility and picks for a rebuilding team. I'm presuming picks and cap flexibility are what trader Danny craves.

ORL strengthens its two weaknesses and looks to contend in the East as soon as they can get healthy. Wendell Carter and Cole Anthony would probably be moved this summer, just for financial reasons, as rookie extensions for their young Big 3 are looming. Sexton would get starter minutes, but come off the bench to complete one of the strongest backcourts along with KCP, Suggs, and Anthony Black.

That's a lot of picks for "incomplete" players, but Kessler is all that ORL needs from that spot, next to Paolo and Franz' versatility at the forward spots. With Goga Bitadze off the bench, ORL's C spot should be a strong point. Wendell Carter might be the "all around" best of them, but his reliability and his fit with Paolo & Franz is a question. Sexton is better suited to contend for 6MOY and occasionally be the best player on the court some nights than to have the burden of leading a team.

I mean, yeah, I see why Orlando would offer this. If the team works out, which this definitely helps accomplish, it’s three garbage 1sts for a good 6th man and a good time-sharing center.

That said, it’s three firsts. Solid value. Just don’t know if Utah is motivated to move on from WK after his strong play this year.

I had thought of this exact trade I was going to post about 2 weeks ago. It fixes both needs Orlando has. I am not sure if Utah does this but if they say ya I'd go for it because orlando doesn't need anyone rookies soon and Kessler and Sexton are young anyway. Good post.

tmorgan wrote:That said, it’s three firsts. Solid value. Just don’t know if Utah is motivated to move on from WK after his strong play this year.

I've been seeing different things, some say WK not on the tables, others say his available for the right price. I think Utah would, trade WK for the right price. Edit which ever team he goes to, If he does get traded, probably be some of package deal.

This Is a good trade.

Kessler is up for an extension this summer and Orlando will have no choice but to extend him to a massive contract.

Orlando already has over 40M AAV tied up in the center position. No way in hell they do this.

I also don’t see the point, Goga is Orlando’s version of Kessler at a 1/3 of the cost and a better overall player.

Carter is having a down season, but he brings a different kind of dynamic to the team. I much rather have Goga/Carter pairing than Kessler/Goga tandem with all things considered.

Now if Orlando sold high on Goga this deadline and then subsequently made this trade I would kind of get it but still extremely unrealistic from the Orlando brass.

Magic_Johnny12 wrote:Kessler is up for an extension this summer and Orlando will have no choice but to extend him to a massive contract.

Orlando already has over 40M AAV tied up in the center position. No way in hell they do this.

I also don’t see the point, Goga is Orlando’s version of Kessler at a 1/3 of the cost and a better overall player.

Carter is having a down season, but he brings a different kind of dynamic to the team. I much rather have Goga/Carter pairing than Kessler/Goga tandem with all things considered.

Now if Orlando sold high on Goga this deadline and then subsequently made this trade I would kind of get it but still extremely unrealistic from the Orlando brass.

I came to the TNT board to get away from your bummer takes

Kessler is not getting a massive extension. Maybe Maybe he gets what WCJ got...and, even then, it doesn't kick in for another year - there'd be time to figure out which direction. Kessler is not a star. He's a very limited player, but very solid at what he does - which is all ORL needs from that spot...any other story and nobody would be talking about even considering moving him at age 23 and $4.8m

I'm not even sure he starts over Goga...but the two together would be terrifying defensively for 48 min.

Moving WCJ would be a priority for the summer and I do think he has value to another team without such versatile players at 3/4

This isn’t an attractive offer to me as a Jazz fan/GM.