Under the Radar FA pick ups

[Blue_and_Whte]

OKC traded for Hayward strictly to shed salary for this summer. Anything he gave them on the court was a bonus IMO.

They opened up like $18M in additional cap space by unloading Bertans, Micic and Mann's salaries for 2024-2025.

Yeah but that would’ve been a huge bonus considering how good he still is. I just think they didn’t want to disrespect the guys that had already earned their minutes.

[basketballRob]

I like Anchiuwa and Oubre. I think we were rumored to have like Oubre when he was with Phoenix. Anchiuwa i think could breakout. We need more length. I do like Melton but I'd have research his injuries a little more.

[mattdelray1220]

I like Hayward but prefer Simone. He is really coming into his own. He could be a real long term fit for us off the bench. Gordon might be better because the team seems to really like Caleb and want to give Jett some time. Simone is prob looking for a starting role anyways.

[jonbob17]

I really like the prospect of Gordon Hayward. I think he fits the same bill that people are seeking with Paul George and Klay Thompson, but at a much cheaper price. All 3 of these guys are over the hill and injury prone anyways, so why not take the most conservative and cheapest route with Hayward? If he gets injured at least we didn’t spend as much as we would with those other 2 guys. Just like PG and Klay he is big at SG at 6 8, shoots 3s at a high %, playoff experience, and can playmake nicely as a SG.

Would you rather spend $3 for PG, $2 for Klay, or $1 for Gordon Hayward?

We sign him at just a 1 or 2 year deal. He will be a fill-in for the next season or two as we continue to find a better/younger PG or SG for the future. He won’t stunt the growth of Banchero or Franz as much as George and Thompson would IMO. But he would still demand respect from defenses.

I'd rather spend $3 for PG. Klay is good, but i just don't know about his fit here, along with how far in decline he really is. Hayward? He only played 46 out of the 480 minutes OKC played in the playoffs, and didn't score. I'd pay $7M on a 1 year to find out if Hayward has anything left, but I'd have a back up plan in case he can't crack the rotation or hurt, ...in which case I'd rather just pay a little extra for the better back up plan.

[jonbob17]

Batum seems like a Weltman kind of guy. Maybe a replacement for Ingles, though he's more of a 4 at this point (kind of like Ingles)

I am hoping Goga is enough under the radar that the Magic might still be able to retain, hopefully with an increased role, though I am not sure what that looks like.

Deeper under the radar...maybe Delon Wright or Melton like previously mentioned. Hoping we can find this year's Divencenzio or Monk, but i am not sure i see it, Melton or Gary Harris might be the best bet. I wanted to add Alec Burks, but sheesh I didn't realize how bad his 2 point FG% has been.

[MagicFan101]

Tyrese Maxey
OG Anunoby
Nicolas Claxton


Did I do it right?

[pepe1991]

Tyrese Maxey
OG Anunoby
Nicolas Claxton


Did I do it right?

Cheap pickups

[cedric76]

Tyrese Maxey
OG Anunoby
Nicolas Claxton


Did I do it right?

Cheap pickups

[drsd]

After reflection.

Orlando needs to replace Harris, Fultz, Okeke, and Bitadze.

For Harris, I think Gary Trent is the upgrade.
For Fultz, I like a rookie and a G-leaguer (McClung?), I will go with D-Carter as a named place holder.
For Okeke, Kyle Anderson is a huge upgrade.
Fr Bitadze, either he resigns, or more likely, Daniel Theis.

Trent, Anderson, and Theis are all "Under the Radar FA pick ups", and is sort of the off-season I expect.

This creates:
Suggs/Black/D-Carter
Trent/Anthony/Howard
F-Wagner/Ingles/Houstan
Banchero/Isaac/Anderson
W-Carter/M-Wagner/Theis

Good for 48-52 wins, I would think.

[Black and Blue]

I wonder where Buddy Hield is now at - value wise...He disappeared in PHI. He's 31, made $29m last season ($105m overall)...never was a defender, but ranks among the best 3pt shooters ever. Looking at his games played...he's been a freakin' ironman every season of his career. Suggs is our best 3pt shooter, but we could use a guy who does nothing but hunt them like Hield (if he's ready to accept a secondary role and paycheck).

His minutes per and points per have declined...is it because opponents target him mercilessly? I'm just speculating. I thought I remember hearing a few seasons ago that his defense had actually improved substantially-but I'm not sure at all.

Anyway, is he at the point where he'd take a lot less for a smaller role? He'll be a weapon as long as he can stand up. Having a guy like him come off the bench and just start launching 3's is capable of blowing open any game (or catching up).

I have the same vision with Hayward...are they in that "sweet spot" where they can still contribute, on a high level, just for briefer periods while acknowledging that they're not going to get paid a ton to do it.

I think we have an attractive situation here now...great weather, great coach, great facilities, no state income tax, and a young core with great potential to play meaningful games. I really think that's the selling point for Monk, or any free agent, once the money is covered. Not quite ready to call it "Ring Chasing", but it's certainly a competitive environment.

We've got a solid but still very young core, a legit star to carry the team when needed (maybe 2), promising young guys on deck...we're just missing the still-capable vets to pitch in but stand back, when needed. Ingles was a good add - I just feel like his physical ship may have sailed on. He's 36 but looks even older...hard to believe how much older he is than Hayward and Hield.

As I said...I love this thread. We've GOT TO add one big addition...but following it with a couple of these kind of guys is Exec of the Year stuff. It's also not terribly risky - which probably suits our FO. Great orgs like MIA, LAL, etc always add these kind of guys and then they remind you (not every night) why they getting big bucks just a few years before. "Been There. Done That. Not Afraid" is a valuable trait, even if you're not quite the player you were.

I think you make some great points about just how attractive this team's situation is to a lot of free agents and non-free agents who are tradable. I think the biggest selling point is the youth on this team. Fellow young players will very much want to be part of a core that can grow over time together, and veterans always love the idea of being able to compete AND mentor others (it's a power thing). Toss in the team having a player-friendly coach, not having to fear their stars may leave, and the sunshine and you have an insanely nice destination.

I like this team's chances of landing Monk if they want him. His age is right in line with our window if he works out. Beyond that, this team is probably using every back channel to sniff out who may be available via trade. Paolo needs to be on that banana boat with Mitchell, Murray, and anyone else who could tip their hand about where they stand.

I'll toss this out there: If Mitchell and Paolo really want to play together, we have a real chance to help it happen if we can pony up the Wagner brothers and additional assets. That would be as close to a perfect offseason move as we could ask for.