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ORL has 3 nasty physical defenders in their active backcourt core...Suggs, KCP, and up and comer Anthony Black. They have a serious lack of playmaking and scoring from that group. The three I listed are primarily effective (so far) as 3&D guys other than scoring off of steals. ORL is likely committed to the shock & awe of Suggs & KCP's defense in the starting lineup, and this seems viable due to Paolo & Franz' playmaking and offensive versatility. ORL could really use a guy like Sexton or Simons or CJ McConnell, IMO, to provide playmaking, explosive scoring potential, and floor spreading -primarily off the bench. The role I envision would definitely be starter type minutes, particularly in games when opposing teams manage to contain or slow down Paolo & Franz and the starting guards aren't hitting their 3's...it'd be likely that, on many nights, the "new guy" might lead the team in scoring, or even be the best player on the court...so, a starter-quality guard, coming off the bench like hellfire (Ginobili 2.0?).

Who is better suited for the job - I understand that both are seemingly available, neither is exceptional defensively - to put it politely, and both have started for most of their young careers. Who has the personality to be sick of losing and will enthusiastically accept a significant role on a young ascending team? and, what will it cost? Both names have been bounced around the ORL boards for months or even years, but I'm interested in outside ORL takes on their relative strengths and weaknesses and what you think it would cost.

ORL would consider moving...
Cole Anthony ($11m for one more, then TO)
Gary Harris ($7.5 TO/expiring - buyout?)
Moe Wagner ($11m TO/expiring - out for season - buyout?)
Corey Joseph ($3.5m TO/expiring - buyout?)
Jett Howard ($5.3m, 2nd year of rookie deal - 21yo)
maybe...Jonathan Isaac ($25m, descends to $15m with limited guarantees for 4 more years - elite defender, minutes restrictions)

ORL has all of their own frps and srps, plus the DEN 25 frp (but don't get crazy )

ORL could also use some 4/5 depth due to injuries if there's an opportunity to expand the deal

have at it

ORL is pretty happy with what they have if I had to guess, and want to see what happens. Not opposed to Sexton for Anthony and mediocre assets. They sure as F should keep Mo, Jett, Isaac (considering contract). Harris was resigned solely to be a trade asset IMHO.

Sexton is better, and cheaper in terms of a cap hit, but Simons is the better floor spacer and likely cheaper to acquire via trade.

I'd trade Simons for any combination of expirings and any 1st. Lower of DEN/ORL '25 is great. I'd throw in Jabari Walker (a passable 5th big) if you're interested.

Separately, I don't think the Magic should trade Wagner unless absolutely necessary (or the trading team indicates they will buy him out and the Magic plan to resign him).

At this point, any deal Skybox proposes and thinks is fair for Simons I know I’m on board with.

Cole Anthony, Mo Wagner (out for season, probably comes right back to ORL as a FA next season?), and the worse of 2025 1sts feels like a good offer that should get the Blazers to bite, while still not being a high enough price to matter to ORL.

HornetJail wrote:Cole Anthony, Mo Wagner (out for season, probably comes right back to ORL as a FA next season?), and the worse of 2025 1sts feels like a good offer that should get the Blazers to bite, while still not being a high enough price to matter to ORL.

Seems fair and I'd easily do it, now what the heck Cronin things I have no clue

Myth wrote:At this point, any deal Skybox proposes and thinks is fair for Simons I know I’m on board with.

He’s been pretty reasonable with most trade proposals for Simons.

Wow...you guys should come over to the ORL boards and let them know how wonderful I am

JRoy wrote:

Myth wrote:At this point, any deal Skybox proposes and thinks is fair for Simons I know I’m on board with.

He’s been pretty reasonable with most trade proposals for Simons.

I know, maybe a deal gets done as this costs ORL little and Wagner can go right back to ORL next yr if he wants, I think Simons needs a change of scenery and going back home and to a good team could see him excel. And as has been mentioned ORL has the defenders to help cover for his poor D. To me this is a very low risk/high reward trade for ORL and gives the Blazers a backup guard and late 1st and cuts salary for next yr.

flranger wrote:ORL is pretty happy with what they have if I had to guess, and want to see what happens. Not opposed to Sexton for Anthony and mediocre assets. They sure as F should keep Mo, Jett, Isaac (considering contract). Harris was resigned solely to be a trade asset IMHO.

completely disagree. Their star has asked for guard help, and they lost their biggest bench production. Jett and Isaac should be moved and Harris was kept not as trade asset (which he is not) but as a vet that will be ready to play bench minutes come playoff time.

tiderulz wrote:

flranger wrote:ORL is pretty happy with what they have if I had to guess, and want to see what happens. Not opposed to Sexton for Anthony and mediocre assets. They sure as F should keep Mo, Jett, Isaac (considering contract). Harris was resigned solely to be a trade asset IMHO.

completely disagree. Their star has asked for guard help, and they lost their biggest bench production. Jett and Isaac should be moved and Harris was kept not as trade asset (which he is not) but as a vet that will be ready to play bench minutes come playoff time.

Do you think Orlando significantly restructures midseason? I'd be surprised; I think the injury bug buys the brain trust enough time to kick the can down the road till at least the offseason. But I don't have a great read on the team.

As much as I want this to happen as an Orlando fan, I would be beyond stunned. Management is sooo conservative and just doesn't take risks I hope I am wrong.

Utah out: Sexton, Mills
Utah in: Vincent, Wood, Hood-Schifino, Protection Removed from Lakers '27 pick, Right to swap Minny or Cavs Pick with Orlando '25 1st
Jazz lower their guaranteed money next year while ensuring the Lakers pick their owed conveys and most likely moving up in this years draft.

Lakers out: Vincent, Wood, Hood-Schifino, Pick protection removed from '27 pick owed to Utah, '29 Pick to Orlando.
Lakers in: WCJ, Corey Joseph, Worst of '25 Minny, Cavs, Magic 1st, Orlando's '25 and '27 2nd.
Lakers get a wide bodied Centre in his prime and a late 1st to use in another deal and a couple 2nds for flexibility.

Follow up suggestion Vanderbilt, CoJo to Chicago for '25 1st and 2 Orlando 2nds to bring in Coby White.
Bulls do it for Picks and tank, Lakers to add another young vet for a run.

Orlando out: WCJ, Corey Joseph, '25 Orlando 1st '25 and '27 2nd
Orlando in: Sexton, Mills, '29 Laker 1st
Orlando get their bench spark plug while punting one of their 1sts down the road for higher upside at the cost of a couple 2nds. Still have plenty of picks for follow up trades.

Follow up suggestion. Laker 1st to Chicago with Harris for Jalen Smith and Potland 1st.
Bulls do it for the Tank and a more sure thing asset. Magic add a good backup Centre on an affordable contract.

Follow up 2. Cole Anthony, Jett Howard, 25' Denver 1st, Portland 1st, 2 2nds to Brooklyn for Cam Johnson.
Nets get 2 1sts and 2 2nds and reduced salary for Johnson.
Orlando adds excellent depth to their roster.

WCJ can't be traded until the off-season that's a no go.

Andre Roberstan wrote:

tiderulz wrote:

flranger wrote:ORL is pretty happy with what they have if I had to guess, and want to see what happens. Not opposed to Sexton for Anthony and mediocre assets. They sure as F should keep Mo, Jett, Isaac (considering contract). Harris was resigned solely to be a trade asset IMHO.

completely disagree. Their star has asked for guard help, and they lost their biggest bench production. Jett and Isaac should be moved and Harris was kept not as trade asset (which he is not) but as a vet that will be ready to play bench minutes come playoff time.

Do you think Orlando significantly restructures midseason? I'd be surprised; I think the injury bug buys the brain trust enough time to kick the can down the road till at least the offseason. But I don't have a great read on the team.

this front office always kicks the can down the road. they will keep players that dont fit until they no longer have value

Andre Roberstan wrote:

tiderulz wrote:

flranger wrote:ORL is pretty happy with what they have if I had to guess, and want to see what happens. Not opposed to Sexton for Anthony and mediocre assets. They sure as F should keep Mo, Jett, Isaac (considering contract). Harris was resigned solely to be a trade asset IMHO.

completely disagree. Their star has asked for guard help, and they lost their biggest bench production. Jett and Isaac should be moved and Harris was kept not as trade asset (which he is not) but as a vet that will be ready to play bench minutes come playoff time.

Do you think Orlando significantly restructures midseason? I'd be surprised; I think the injury bug buys the brain trust enough time to kick the can down the road till at least the offseason. But I don't have a great read on the team.

A lot of people push back this way...but I don't see it as that significant a restructure...ORL'd be sending out non-core guy(s) and picks for a second unit upgrade...Cole and Jett and/or Harris really weren't in the active rotation until the crazy spree of injuries hit.

tiderulz wrote:

Andre Roberstan wrote:

tiderulz wrote:completely disagree. Their star has asked for guard help, and they lost their biggest bench production. Jett and Isaac should be moved and Harris was kept not as trade asset (which he is not) but as a vet that will be ready to play bench minutes come playoff time.

Do you think Orlando significantly restructures midseason? I'd be surprised; I think the injury bug buys the brain trust enough time to kick the can down the road till at least the offseason. But I don't have a great read on the team.

this front office always kicks the can down the road. they will keep players that dont fit until they no longer have value

BINGO, its honestly exhausting watching them sit on hands.

Skybox wrote:

Andre Roberstan wrote:

tiderulz wrote:completely disagree. Their star has asked for guard help, and they lost their biggest bench production. Jett and Isaac should be moved and Harris was kept not as trade asset (which he is not) but as a vet that will be ready to play bench minutes come playoff time.

Do you think Orlando significantly restructures midseason? I'd be surprised; I think the injury bug buys the brain trust enough time to kick the can down the road till at least the offseason. But I don't have a great read on the team.

A lot of people push back this way...but I don't see it as that significant a restructure...ORL'd be sending out non-core guy(s) and picks for a second unit upgrade...Cole and Jett and/or Harris really weren't in the active rotation until the crazy spree of injuries hit.

Exactly if anything it’s a consolidation for something that fits your roster better. You’ve got plenty of defensive monsters, you can allow a mediocre one as long as they bring offense.

Combo of Cole Isaac Jett Harris 2025 1st in some offer should be able to get an offensive piece.

Issue is like others have said this FO will play the we haven’t been healthy and will wait. Even though it’s blatantly obvious we’re bottom 5 offensive team and offensive improvement will be minimal.

Immersing myself in both guys' highlights and I'm leaning Sexton as option A. (still be thrilled to "settle" for Simons, who can be the best high-volume 3pt shooter in the league more often than not). I just LOVE Sexton's fire and his physicality, which fits right into ORL's young core...I also see more evidence of his being a fun and solid teammate too - where Simons might be a little more reserved. Sexton seems more likely to talk s**t with Ant Edwards, try to dunk on Gobert, or be first guy in to defend a teammate. I can't imagine with his vibe and physical gifts, that he can't play good defense with ORL's existing crew, vibe, and scheme...immeasurably bad defense is always the critics' knock on both of them - too bad to even try to cover up. I'm not buying it...looking at their respective situations, perhaps it's understandable...Both are young athletic freaks who could potentially flourish in the right place. Not leading a team, but contributing in significant roles. I feel like at least one of them is going to land on a playoff team and go for 30 at least once in a big game and everyone will wonder how they "stole" him. I could even see the two of them duking it out like Mitchell and Jamal Murray, matching 3's for 5 straight minutes.

UTA might be tougher to deal with:
A. Danny Ainge is known to be a problem
B. UTA already has multiple 2025 frps, which is ORL's preferred trade asset (they have 2 and don't need more projects). Unless UTA had a deal in its pocket for some of those picks- it wouldn't make sense. ORL could discuss future frps, but that's riskier.
C. Sexton's deal (18.4m, 19.2m) is significantly less than Simons' (25.9m, 27.7m), so UTA could just decide to keep Sexton as a core piece going forward...my expectation would be, if things work out, to re-sign either of them for around $20m per going forward.

Again-just what I've seen on YouTube...far from definitive.