Is our young core good enough to finish the rebuild?

[Ducklett]

It took Giannis and the rebuild 6 years to win a playoff series. If you guys are aiming for championship, you can't do it in one year.

[JoshuaPotter]

No,we still lack star talent.
but you can not hope in (damn)ping pong balls forever,one more draft and then play-in has to be the goal next season.

hopefully those 2 mummies in FO try something to improve the team and they just not collect paychecks.

with a pair of changes(and they have the assets to move) we could be a team between 41-46 W in a pair of years.

Do you mean generational talent? Because so far Paolo + Franz seem poised to become a 1 or 2 option between them. Granted, I hear you if you were to say you don't see anything today.

Nothing about them screams generational talent today. Yet, if this team started the season over healthy I think we make the play ins this year. Next year it's immediately expected to be the play-in with 41-46 record. I would be disappointed (but not ready to blow it up) otherwise.

[eyriq]

I know the perception is to wait and patient for the rebuild. But where this we are going to make the playoff next year thing appeared to us. You know what that means? That means we say goodbye to the top picks and very soon ending the rebuild.

Or in another way, we are still rebuilding just not getting the top picks but player development for 2 or 3 years. Is that it?

However, I think this upcoming summer is going to decide the trajectory of this franchise. Are we committing 30M+ on a borderline All Star in FVV? Or we package our FRPs and Star player, maybe Franz, for a star SG in SGA or even Trae Young? TBH, I don't like too much youth and if we want to compete soon, we need a star player

1. We want Franz and Paolo to develop into stars (they are on this trajectory, no reach here).

2. We want to find a point guard that can facilitate the offense and get the ball to Paolo and Franz. Should also be able to play defense and knock down a shot when needed.

3. We want to find a shooting guard that is a reliable shooter, can defend well, and move without the ball to create space for Paolo and Franz. Needs to be comfortable playing off the ball and not to reliant on having the ball in his hands to create offense.

4. We want WCJ to stay healthy and improve. He's already a great compliment to Paolo and Franz. He provides a physical presence, sets screens, rebounds, and plays solid defense. He can finish around the basket and knock down mid-range and three point shots to provide spacing.

Edit: we don't need another star but if we can get one, fine. We should focus on building around Paolo and Franz.

Really do love what WCJ brings. He does nothing fancy, but doesn't really do anything wrong. Just a great piece. Gets all his stats just from the flow of the game and doesn't need to take over. Simply amazing to have that as one of our pieces.

I'm hoping his future contract doesn't bankrupt us.

Yeah man, he is super interesting. Very versatile and impacts so many areas of the game. Like a glue guy at center

[MasterGMer]

I know the perception is to wait and patient for the rebuild. But where this we are going to make the playoff next year thing appeared to us. You know what that means? That means we say goodbye to the top picks and very soon ending the rebuild.

Or in another way, we are still rebuilding just not getting the top picks but player development for 2 or 3 years. Is that it?

However, I think this upcoming summer is going to decide the trajectory of this franchise. Are we committing 30M+ on a borderline All Star in FVV? Or we package our FRPs and Star player, maybe Franz, for a star SG in SGA or even Trae Young? TBH, I don't like too much youth and if we want to compete soon, we need a star player

1. We want Franz and Paolo to develop into stars (they are on this trajectory, no reach here).

2. We want to find a point guard that can facilitate the offense and get the ball to Paolo and Franz. Should also be able to play defense and knock down a shot when needed.

3. We want to find a shooting guard that is a reliable shooter, can defend well, and move without the ball to create space for Paolo and Franz. Needs to be comfortable playing off the ball and not to reliant on having the ball in his hands to create offense.

4. We want WCJ to stay healthy and improve. He's already a great compliment to Paolo and Franz. He provides a physical presence, sets screens, rebounds, and plays solid defense. He can finish around the basket and knock down mid-range and three point shots to provide spacing.

Edit: we don't need another star but if we can get one, fine. We should focus on building around Paolo and Franz.

Really do love what WCJ brings. He does nothing fancy, but doesn't really do anything wrong. Just a great piece. Gets all his stats just from the flow of the game and doesn't need to take over. Simply amazing to have that as one of our pieces.

I'm hoping his future contract doesn't bankrupt us.

I think people are underestimating WCJ here. WCJ is the main guy on the defensive end guarding Cs in other teams. He has done it against Embiid and Jokic, plus he did a fantastic job with it. Our rebounding was much better also plus he can hit occasional jump shots. I think WCJ should be among our young core here.

[zaymon]

Tanking days are over with Paolo, Franz and Wendell alone. We can hang around play in spot for few yours but what it really gives us ? Now is the perfect opportunity to overpay for someone like FVV. I really doubt we will trade Franz Wagner to tank some more. He will only get better we can forget about deep lottery.
There is logical cycle in the nba, especially for non premium markets. Get assets, get star, use assets for upgrades.
We got assets, we got best player in loaded draft in Franz and then we got #1 pick who shows glimpses of a star. Next logical move is targeting right players. We wont know if our core is good enough until they make playoffs, but to make playoffs you need to invest some.

[Skin]

I think we are close, but I thought we were nearly done.

I thought we pretty much wrapped it up when we lucked out and Suggs fells to us. We were ALL soo sooooo psyched up when a player we didn't think would fall to us, actually fell. That NEVER happens! I think that draft day was one of my favorite and most memorable of all time.

Unfortunately, Suggs has been atrocious. Like unpredictably atrocious. "Toronto Raptors maybe you were right in passing him" kind of atrocious. His pace was off. His passes were absurd. He dribbled the ball like it was covered in grease. His shots were blank. Really just an ugly ugly rookie year. Enough that major doubts still worry me. Why is his FT shooting so bad? I thought 77% last year was bad but this year he's a 68% FT shooter. Jeez man.

The things I like about him is that he is confident, he likes big moments, big games (those games against GS and MIN were AWESOME)... and of course his defense. His defense alone will keep him in the league. He also seems to have the right work ethic and mental toughness. Some players miss that and it's glaring. Like they don't have a self awareness of how bad they are. Suggs has a good head on his shoulders. Obviously it's still very early for him. I'm not ready to grant him the crown that I gave him on draft day, but I can't complain too much about a player on a rookie deal who is still figuring things out. Making a 6th man out of him... one that could compete for that spot every year would be an amazing return on our pick. Herro, Clarkson, Poole... those types are tremendously valuable.

If he gives us more... he could be a star, but I think I'm past that. Time will tell. Luckily for him, this year's draft and FA suck with PGs and SGs. He should have one more year without roadblocks, unless we trade for a star. **** FVV. I'd rather give Suggs the full reigns before bringing in FVV for $30M+ who will be 30 years old next season and only cares about his own stats.

So unless Suggs improves like a mofo, we still need a Star PG or SG. I do consider him part of our core, but core players can be traded for stars. Look at Mikal Bridges. A guy no Suns player wanted to get rid of. A core player for years. Traded.

We're really close though. A Star Guard and a physical bruising Big who can defend the post, set screens, clean up the glass. Our team with those 2 things would give opponents legitimate concern facing us.

[eyriq]

The other build I'd go for around Paolo and Franz would be

1. A scoring point guard that can create his own shot and take pressure off Paolo and Franz. He needs to be able to distribute the ball effectively and set Paolo and Franz up for easy scoring opportunities. FVV comes to mind here.

2. Same shooting guard as I described above. I think Suggs could be this guy.

3. A center that provides versatility on both ends of the court. Defend multiple positions, switch effectively, and provide rim protection. On offense, set screens, roll to the basket, and finish strong at the rim. I think Isaac could be this guy.

Sign FVV, start Suggs and Isaac. Develop Franz and Palo. Draft Nick Smith or Keyonte George and develop them and Cole into our scoring point guard of the future to take over from FVV.

Edit: I think Suggs can be either our PG or shooting guard of the future. Still lots of space for him to develop. We could also go jumbo and mine Franz to the 2 and Paolo to the 3. WeHam are like kids in a candy shop.

[Skin]

On a championship caliber team Paolo and Franz are #2 and #3 options. We need to get that star.

[JoshuaPotter]

On a championship caliber team Paolo and Franz are #2 and #3 options. We need to get that star.

That's a hot take.

A year 1 or 2 year player isn't a championship #1 option. Yeah.

Do you mean to say you think they will never develop into that?

How true that statement is, lets check in 3-4 years from now when they are ready to compete for the next 6-10 years for rings.

[Ralof]

No,we still lack star talent.
but you can not hope in (damn)ping pong balls forever,one more draft and then play-in has to be the goal next season.

hopefully those 2 mummies in FO try something to improve the team and they just not collect paychecks.

with a pair of changes(and they have the assets to move) we could be a team between 41-46 W in a pair of years.

Do you mean generational talent? Because so far Paolo + Franz seem poised to become a 1 or 2 option between them. Granted, I hear you if you were to say you don't see anything today.

Nothing about them screams generational talent today. Yet, if this team started the season over healthy I think we make the play ins this year. Next year it's immediately expected to be the play-in with 41-46 record. I would be disappointed (but not ready to blow it up) otherwise.

no i don 't see star talent in them in the future,to not talking about generational talent(lebron,zion,ecc.)
good players anyway and that is not granted,even in top 10 at draft.
can not even complain about Weham as I always do,ping pong balls just screwed us again.
franz has qualities who could bring him at highest level as a deluxe complementary player(similar to playoff wiggins last year),that it's really valuable.

biggest problem rn is Suggs,with 3 good players you could build a very good team,even a 50 W team someday who can pass a first playoff round.

about next year:we gonna end up like what 32-32 wins?it's reasonable to espect 5-6 win more,injuries not gonna stop completely from one season to another.

biggest strength we have is number:this roster is full of competent or semi competent nba players,that is really valuable in nba RS,the supporting cast this board always criticize is exactly our #1 attribute,deep,complete and also these guys like to play together,no primadonnas.
we just need more shoting,but add a hield/beasley type is not that difficult.

we just lack an offensive #1 offensive engine,but that is rare to find and it's no one fault

[Skin]

On a championship caliber team Paolo and Franz are #2 and #3 options. We need to get that star.

That's a hot take.

A year 1 or 2 year player isn't a championship #1 option. Yeah.

Do you mean to say you think they will never develop into that?

How true that statement is, lets check in 3-4 years from now when they are ready to compete for the next 6-10 years for rings.

Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton are #2 and #3 options on a championship caliber team... Chris Paul is a #4. Don't get your panties in a bunch. We need more star power or could end up like the Bulls (Lavine, DeRozan, Vuc) with all-stars, but still not good enough.

[Max Power]

I think the Magic are definitely on the right path and are getting close to being a difference making team in the conference. I honestly think they’re two years and two pieces away from being a playoff team with advancement potential.

The Magic need a star level 2 guard prospect and clarity at the point. If it’s Suggs or Fultz, the brass need to make a decision. Now if somehow the Magic jump in the lottery and are in play for Scoot Henderson you select that dude and run away giddy, he completes a legit young Big 3 with Paolo and Franz. But I still think wings are the Magic’s biggest need whether they dip into trades or free agency or draft one. Another poster mentioned a bruiser for the paint, and I definitely agree with that assessment as well. Pairing that with Mo Wagner would do a lot of good.

[pepe1991]

On a championship caliber team Paolo and Franz are #2 and #3 options. We need to get that star.

That's a hot take.

A year 1 or 2 year player isn't a championship #1 option. Yeah.

Do you mean to say you think they will never develop into that?

How true that statement is, lets check in 3-4 years from now when they are ready to compete for the next 6-10 years for rings.

Their primes will be in same time as primes of:
Morant, Zion, Fox, Tatum, Doncic, Young, SGA, Edwards, Garland.

Jokic, Embiid, Giannis, Brown, Booker, Sabonis, are 26-28 years old. They are going nowhere for next 5 years.

League is stacked with talent. Talent that isn't loyal and likes to jump ships. 5 years from now majority of nba stars, including Magic ones, won't be on team they are today. That's just reality of nba.

[drsd]

The Magic need a star level 2 guard prospect and clarity at the point. If it’s Suggs or Fultz, the brass need to make a decision.

I 100% agree on both points.


..

[Skybox]

I don't exactly understand the question...but my interpretation of our status is that our rebuild has been so successful so far that it's justifiable to make a big move for a veteran as opposed to jumping back into the tank race. We have a solid group of young depth and upside and I believe it's time to move out of cheap bets, reclamation projects, and hoarding picks. I also think it'd be a mistake to waste a year while our young core moves a year towards big extensions that will limit our ability to make roster moves.

[JoshuaPotter]

On a championship caliber team Paolo and Franz are #2 and #3 options. We need to get that star.

That's a hot take.

A year 1 or 2 year player isn't a championship #1 option. Yeah.

Do you mean to say you think they will never develop into that?

How true that statement is, lets check in 3-4 years from now when they are ready to compete for the next 6-10 years for rings.

Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton are #2 and #3 options on a championship caliber team... Chris Paul is a #4. Don't get your panties in a bunch. We need more star power or could end up like the Bulls (Lavine, DeRozan, Vuc) with all-stars, but still not good enough.

Bold of you to assume I wear anything resembling panties.

[JoshuaPotter]

On a championship caliber team Paolo and Franz are #2 and #3 options. We need to get that star.

That's a hot take.

A year 1 or 2 year player isn't a championship #1 option. Yeah.

Do you mean to say you think they will never develop into that?

How true that statement is, lets check in 3-4 years from now when they are ready to compete for the next 6-10 years for rings.

Their primes will be in same time as primes of:
Morant, Zion, Fox, Tatum, Doncic, Young, SGA, Edwards, Garland.

Jokic, Embiid, Giannis, Brown, Booker, Sabonis, are 26-28 years old. They are going nowhere for next 5 years.

League is stacked with talent. Talent that isn't loyal and likes to jump ships. 5 years from now majority of nba stars, including Magic ones, won't be on team they are today. That's just reality of nba.

That's a fair outlook, and doesn't mention anything about my panties.