Magic Exercise Team Options on Wagner, Suggs, Anthony and Okeke, Decline Option on Hampton

[pepe1991]

RJ's personality, dominor, how he carried himself was very different in highschool. Hence, that's why he was 5 star recruit and viewed as top 10 player for upcomming lottery.
Than he went to play with pros and wheels fell off. Harsh reality of not being as good as he thought crushed him and his confidence.

In nba it was more of the same. He never, ever again rebuilt that confidence that made him unique in first place.

RJ is yet another kid that arived in nba too early and skipped steps of development to rush toward nba payday.

Okeke survived only because he was good soldier when they drafted and elected not to sign him for one whole year.

[zaymon]

Never liked Hampton as a prospect and his summer performance was last nail to the coffin. Too much talent around nba to hold on such low ceiling prospects.
Hampton is a nice guy and i wish him all the best. Releasing him is propably more of a favor done to him and Mike Miller. He has little chance making our rotation and he does not fit around Banchero who is younger and already a lot more developed.
Okeke is at least bigger and smarter, always good idea to hold longer onto these.

[basketballRob]

RJ seemed to sulk on the bench and there were rumors he wasn't happy with the minutes he was given. I just got the vibe that the chemistry wasn't good with the guards even tho they tried to make it appear like everything was fine. RJ was a decent player but this just wasn't the right situation for him.

I think they'll eventually have to move one of Fultz, Suggs, or Cole also. We can bring in a veteran PG like a younger DJ Augustin for the 3rd PG.

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[Magic_Kingdom]

The writing was on the wall when R.J. got a DNP-CD the other night with no other guards available. The front office liked R.J. a lot when they traded for him, but something has changed internally. Clearly Coach Mos is not a fan.

[tooler]

Sorry RJ! Good luck with your career.

Chuma isn't great but he seems like a good body you can throw out there in a pinch, and he seems much more tradeable than RJ if necessary. He'd be a nice throw-in if we do a trade.

[fendilim]

Hampton just left Mike Miller’s team

[KillMonger]

seems like RJ might be on his way out

[FFBlitzace]

RJ just doesn't really have any legitimate NBA skill. He isn't good at any one thing, let alone multiple things. It's a shame but ultimately I just don't see how he could be a good NBA player unless he just wakes up one day with a lot more talent.

With Okeke you can at least give yourself the "he's a smart player and won't hurt you on defense" pep talk.

[MasterGMer]

RJ's personality, dominor, how he carried himself was very different in highschool. Hence, that's why he was 5 star recruit and viewed as top 10 player for upcomming lottery.
Than he went to play with pros and wheels fell off. Harsh reality of not being as good as he thought crushed him and his confidence.

In nba it was more of the same. He never, ever again rebuilt that confidence that made him unique in first place.

RJ is yet another kid that arived in nba too early and skipped steps of development to rush toward nba payday.

Okeke survived only because he was good soldier when they drafted and elected not to sign him for one whole year.

Don't forget, in his first year here at Magic, he was the rookie of the month. He has all the speed. But I just want to see how it will translate in his game.

[RookieStar]

Hampton just left Mike Miller’s team

Yeah.. i read in BR he is leaving LIFT( supposedly Miller's group???)

Wonder why? Or is that any indication on why we didn't sign him?

[Magic_Kingdom]

It’s not sustainable to have a roster full of guys on rookie deals anyway. Hopefully this is the beginning of the end of fielding a developmental squad rather than an NBA team designed to compete.

I’d like to see a trade of Fultz or Suggs next. Add a dependable veteran guard who will help Paolo and Franz grow.

[Skybox]

It’s not sustainable to have a roster full of guys on rookie deals anyway. Hopefully this is the beginning of the end of fielding a developmental squad rather than an NBA team designed to compete.

I’d like to see a trade of Fultz or Suggs next. Add a dependable veteran guard who will help Paolo and Franz grow.

This is absolutely where I am too. We caught our big fish...I'm a believer in Suggs and Fultz and Isaac and even Cole and Chuma, I'd hate to throw any of them away, but I'm not sure I want to be the org waiting for their breakthroughs. Dependent on trade value, I'd strongly consider moving any and all of them...Suggs, in particular, makes me wonder what his trade value is - One year ago, he was VERY valuable and sought after. No fire sale, just shifting priorities, IMO.

I guess the Poole ship has sailed, but imagine what he would look like as our young PG with Franz and Paolo and WCJ in the frontcourt. Maybe that's Scoot, or someone I haven't met yet but if we don't luck into a top 3ish pick, I'm all for a package trade for a known quantity...SGA? Yes, I'd be willing to pay the high price in picks to take that giant leap forward.

[zaymon]

It’s not sustainable to have a roster full of guys on rookie deals anyway. Hopefully this is the beginning of the end of fielding a developmental squad rather than an NBA team designed to compete.

I’d like to see a trade of Fultz or Suggs next. Add a dependable veteran guard who will help Paolo and Franz grow.

This is absolutely where I am too. We caught our big fish...I'm a believer in Suggs and Fultz and Isaac and even Cole and Chuma, I'd hate to throw any of them away, but I'm not sure I want to be the org waiting for their breakthroughs. Dependent on trade value, I'd strongly consider moving any and all of them...Suggs, in particular, makes me wonder what his trade value is - One year ago, he was VERY valuable and sought after. No fire sale, just shifting priorities, IMO.

I guess the Poole ship has sailed, but imagine what he would look like as our young PG with Franz and Paolo and WCJ in the frontcourt. Maybe that's Scoot, or someone I haven't met yet but if we don't luck into a top 3ish pick, I'm all for a package trade for a known quantity...SGA? Yes, I'd be willing to pay the high price in picks to take that giant leap forward.

I dont see a reason to give up on Suggs right now. Hampton just doesnt have that much potential and he was dragging his teams down since he left high school. Suggs was important part of Gonzaga finals run even as a freshman. Jalen fits switching defense like few guards do. He needs to slow down a lot, but we are in no rush right now. Maybe next year.

[Skybox]

Every time I propose trading a player who actually has some trade value I have to clearly state that "I am not giving up on him"...you have to give to get. For example, I don't expect to get anything back for RJ Hampton, so I don't bother proposing RJ Hampton trades.

[JBSouthpaw]

I probably like RJ more than most, but this was the right call, better asset for us as an expirering

[jonbob17]

I am pretty disappointed they didn't pick up RJ's option. He basically came into the league with prep experience. He played completely out of control and relied on just his athleticism like a high school kid. Anybody could see it was going to take him a while, and like rookie contract a while. It seems like the Magic have thought that he needs to be a primary ball handler to succeed, and he just hasn't. His handle is loose, and he's a little slow to process. He seems to be a really hard worker.

Not every guy is going to hit his max outcome, but I still think there is a good chance he can succeed off ball, and as a secondary handler. I think Simons is a good comp, he was terrible until year 4, when it seems like the game slowed down for him, and then Simons was afforded a huge break when Lillard went down. Oh and RJ plays defense and is bigger.

Oh well, I hope he lands in a place that can figure out how to unlock him.