Klay Thompson

[orthoman]

Klay is not washed up, as you said. He has probably 2 more decent years. But the bottom line is the Magic won't seriously contend in 2 years...beyond 2 years, probably, if they make the right moves. I just feel someone Simons, Murray or Young's age is more appropriate and add to the core.

[Skybox]

Contact aside, who fits the Magic better? Klay or KCP?

I think it depends on what you're really looking out of that starting shooting guard role.

If you want an elevated version of what Gary Harris provided the last two years - aka catch-and-shoot threes at a high percentage on low to moderate volume combined with hard nosed defense - then you want KCP.

If you want game-shifting ability offensively, then you want Thompson. Klay scored 20 points or more 31 times last year. He's still capable of having nights where he carries you. He had 13 games last year where he hit 6 threes or more.

But Klay has also never really been a role player and is the much worse defender of the two.

Klay would require more noticeable shifting of things offensively, because that guy is gonna come in and expect to get up 14-15 shots a night. Whereas KCP is gonna be content with half that output.

Given those takes...why would Simons not be much more appealing?

He averaged 22.6 ppg and virtually identical 3pt volume and makes per game...and he's young, healthy, freakishly athletic, and had 5.5 dimes pg on top of the elite deep shooting. If we acknowledge that Klay's defense has deteriorated significantly and that it's highly unlikely to get better as he gets older still...I'd make the investment of a couple of picks (?) for the higher-upside, longer-term bet, on likely the same pay scale. I could be way off on the final sale price for Simons...but I don't think it's going to be a whole lot, due to his perceived defensive shortcomings. Klay requires a "lifetime achievement" bonus, to a degree, for his pedigree...even though, he's arguably fallen back into the pack with the Beasley, Trent, Kennard, Hield types, who are likely all entering a period of decreasing paydays.

[Knightro]

Given those takes...why would Simons not be much more appealing?

He averaged 22.6 ppg and virtually identical 3pt volume and makes per game...and he's young, healthy, freakishly athletic, and had 5.5 dimes pg on top of the elite deep shooting. If we acknowledge that Klay's defense has deteriorated significantly and that it's highly unlikely to get better as he gets older still...I'd make the investment of a couple of picks (?) for the higher-upside, longer-term bet, on likely the same pay scale. I could be way off on the final sale price for Simons...but I don't think it's going to be a whole lot, due to his perceived defensive shortcomings. Klay requires a "lifetime achievement" bonus, to a degree, for his pedigree...even though, he's arguably fallen back into the pack with the Beasley, Trent, Kennard, Hield types, who are likely all entering a period of decreasing paydays.

I mean sure, in a vacuum you'd take Simons over Klay on age alone 10 times out of 10.

But his goes back to the Simons/Monk debate. Klay you can just sign. It literally only costs cap space that you have to use anyway.

With Simons you're probably giving up at least one first round pick and probably one player, and maybe even more than that as we don't know for sure what Portland is even asking for.

[eyriq]

We need a starting caliber PG/SG that is young enough to contend in 3-5 years.

The team won't seriously contend in the next two years. So, IMO, Klay is not an appropriate fit.

Reminds me of the Magic signing Steve Francis, Shawn Kemp, Patrick Ewing, and "Agent O"...ie...Gilbert Arenas (the gunslinger who brought guns into the locker room) and a few more that do not come to mind as I'm writing now.

All were previous stars but were acquired by the Magic when they had already declined. Wasted money spent.

We drafted AB and Jett. One of them is hopefully the starting guard in 3-5 years. That's actually exactly the point of targeting a veteran to bridge the gap.

[Skybox]

Given those takes...why would Simons not be much more appealing?

He averaged 22.6 ppg and virtually identical 3pt volume and makes per game...and he's young, healthy, freakishly athletic, and had 5.5 dimes pg on top of the elite deep shooting. If we acknowledge that Klay's defense has deteriorated significantly and that it's highly unlikely to get better as he gets older still...I'd make the investment of a couple of picks (?) for the higher-upside, longer-term bet, on likely the same pay scale. I could be way off on the final sale price for Simons...but I don't think it's going to be a whole lot, due to his perceived defensive shortcomings. Klay requires a "lifetime achievement" bonus, to a degree, for his pedigree...even though, he's arguably fallen back into the pack with the Beasley, Trent, Kennard, Hield types, who are likely all entering a period of decreasing paydays.

I mean sure, in a vacuum you'd take Simons over Klay on age alone 10 times out of 10.

But his goes back to the Simons/Monk debate. Klay you can just sign. It literally only costs cap space that you have to use anyway.

With Simons you're probably giving up at least one first round pick and probably one player, and maybe even more than that as we don't know for sure what Portland is even asking for.

Yep...the price is the mystery...I believe in getting the guy you want, even if it costs more. That was also my concern about Monk...we wouldn't have been hot for him if he wasn't sitting on the buffet, clearly available. I think Simons is SUCH a certain fit and the value of those picks we're sitting on is debatable. I don't want to waste seasons waiting for the perfect situation to come along...it probably won't.

[orthoman]

Knightro...I admire your knowledge, but I agree with Skybox here....

The Magic should spend what they need to with $$, players, picks to pick up someone like Simons, Murray, or Young.

We need a PG/SG that will blend in with the core and blossom in 3-5 years.

Not a legend whose in decline, like Klay.

[YosemiteSam]

\

Yep...the price is the mystery...I believe in getting the guy you want, even if it costs more. That was also my concern about Monk...we wouldn't have been hot for him if he wasn't sitting on the buffet, clearly available. I think Simons is SUCH a certain fit and the value of those picks we're sitting on is debatable. I don't want to waste seasons waiting for the perfect situation to come along...it probably won't.

But, but, but - are we sure Simons is actually any good?

[tiderulz]

Given those takes...why would Simons not be much more appealing?

He averaged 22.6 ppg and virtually identical 3pt volume and makes per game...and he's young, healthy, freakishly athletic, and had 5.5 dimes pg on top of the elite deep shooting. If we acknowledge that Klay's defense has deteriorated significantly and that it's highly unlikely to get better as he gets older still...I'd make the investment of a couple of picks (?) for the higher-upside, longer-term bet, on likely the same pay scale. I could be way off on the final sale price for Simons...but I don't think it's going to be a whole lot, due to his perceived defensive shortcomings. Klay requires a "lifetime achievement" bonus, to a degree, for his pedigree...even though, he's arguably fallen back into the pack with the Beasley, Trent, Kennard, Hield types, who are likely all entering a period of decreasing paydays.

I mean sure, in a vacuum you'd take Simons over Klay on age alone 10 times out of 10.

But his goes back to the Simons/Monk debate. Klay you can just sign. It literally only costs cap space that you have to use anyway.

With Simons you're probably giving up at least one first round pick and probably one player, and maybe even more than that as we don't know for sure what Portland is even asking for.

Yep...the price is the mystery...I believe in getting the guy you want, even if it costs more. That was also my concern about Monk...we wouldn't have been hot for him if he wasn't sitting on the buffet, clearly available. I think Simons is SUCH a certain fit and the value of those picks we're sitting on is debatable. I don't want to waste seasons waiting for the perfect situation to come along...it probably won't.

here is where i differ a little. If you get the guy you want, even if it costs more, to me that is Dejounte Murray. Him at PG and Suggs at SG, that to me is a better pairing in the back court than Suggs + Simons. and he is under decent cost control for the next 3 years

[basketballRob]

If it is known that he turned down 2/45 then when incentive does a team have to offer him more?

I am not saying a team wont that wants him, but if the floor is established and you say 3/68 with 3rd year team option....

Does that move the needle for him?

He turned down that prior to last season, and that offer was no longer on the table.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

[Skybox]

I mean sure, in a vacuum you'd take Simons over Klay on age alone 10 times out of 10.

But his goes back to the Simons/Monk debate. Klay you can just sign. It literally only costs cap space that you have to use anyway.

With Simons you're probably giving up at least one first round pick and probably one player, and maybe even more than that as we don't know for sure what Portland is even asking for.

Yep...the price is the mystery...I believe in getting the guy you want, even if it costs more. That was also my concern about Monk...we wouldn't have been hot for him if he wasn't sitting on the buffet, clearly available. I think Simons is SUCH a certain fit and the value of those picks we're sitting on is debatable. I don't want to waste seasons waiting for the perfect situation to come along...it probably won't.

here is where i differ a little. If you get the guy you want, even if it costs more, to me that is Dejounte Murray. Him at PG and Suggs at SG, that to me is a better pairing in the back court than Suggs + Simons. and he is under decent cost control for the next 3 years

Murray is my #1 preference, by a wide margin...I just don't know if there's a deal to be made with assets we're willing to give up. I think you'd have to include AB as a nice complement to Trae (along with -at least- picks). I'd sadly include AB, but certainly would hate to do it. I also don't think it's even that simple...AB would, maybe, just be the beginning. 3 Picks and salary space for DJM - no problem from me.

Simons would be GREAT...Murray would be even better!

[Skin]

I don't think the Magic will go for Klay. For one, he's a prima donna. His character profile doesn't fit. Two, his defense is not on decline, it's all the way declined like your grandpa's lazy boy. Three, his price will be astronomically bad and the ROI 2 years down the road will be butt ugly. Four, his injury history projects to him being the next Grant Hill than Tracy McGrady. ...and Five... Do we REALLY want Klay Thompson to be the latest BIG NAMED STAR FA signing since Rashard Lewis? C'mon man... I want an up and comer with that money.

[tiderulz]

I don't think the Magic will go for Klay. For one, he's a prima donna. His character profile doesn't fit. Two, his defense is not on decline, it's all the way declined like your grandpa's lazy boy. Three, his price will be astronomically bad and the ROI 2 years down the road will be butt ugly. Four, his injury history projects to him being the next Grant Hill than Tracy McGrady. ...and Five... Do we REALLY want Klay Thompson to be the latest BIG NAMED STAR FA signing since Rashard Lewis? C'mon man... I want an up and comer with that money.

i think the injury thing not a risk. he played 77 games last year, 69 the year before, coming off the 2 years of injury. and he can still play credible team defense, he just isnt the shut down 1 on 1 defender he used to be. And lets be real, Suggs would be defending the better of the opposing PG/SG's they would face. the other points i can see

[orthoman]

I agree with Skin. Klay is a primma dona. His legend doesn't coincide with the rising young Magic. He needs to go with a team that can win it all next year, like the sixers or bucks. I've said this MANY TIMES before in previous posts. We need a young starting caliber PG/SG

[Knightro]

I agree with Skin. Klay is a primma dona. His legend doesn't coincide with the rising young Magic. He needs to go with a team that can win it all next year, like the sixers or bucks. I've said this MANY TIMES before in previous posts. We need a young starting caliber PG/SG

Who?

The options are pretty limited.

[orthoman]

Knightro...it's simple. You go after Young, Murray, Sexton, Garland. Klay is past his influential years..for different reasons
Klay's years are over. We need a young, ambitious, hungry PG/SG.

[MAGICian619]

Knightro...it's simple. You go after Young, Murray, Sexton, Garland. Klay is past his influential years..for different reasons
Klay's years are over. We need a young, ambitious, hungry PG/SG.

Or do we already have those guys in AB and Suggs and really what we need is a stop gap with experience who can shoot? Suggs/Klay for 2 years until the future backcourt of AB/Suggs is ready might be the plan. It should be if they believe in AB.

[The Real Dalic]

Knightro...it's simple. You go after Young, Murray, Sexton, Garland. Klay is past his influential years..for different reasons
Klay's years are over. We need a young, ambitious, hungry PG/SG.

I don't agree with this. How many times do you see an all young team win a championship? This years Celtics had various age ranges. Young and extremely old. You can't just have all 21 year olds that all grow to 27 together. It's not possible. You need vets for their experience anyway. Klay is a 4 time champion with plenty of experience.