What about the Center Spot?

[anothermagicfan]

For anyone interested:

Nic Claxton 25-26 $25.4 26-27 $23.1 27-28 $20.9

Imagine a healthy, fiesty Isaac-type player at C. We've been clinging to WCJ's promise as a floor spreader but he hasn't been. What keeps WCJ on the floor (ironically when he's not frequently injured) is his switchy defense out to the perimeter - Claxton is better at that but has no promise of shooting 3's. Instead, Claxton sticks to and excels in his role as a DPOY candidate, lob threat, garbage man on offense shooting at 64% on FGs for his career. He's averaged 7.7rpg, which is lower than I'd like, but close to Wendell's...the theory is that ORL "rebounds by committee" and Bane collects way more boards (like twice as many) than KCP, so that shouldn't be a factor...it's not unusual in that active rim-protectors are rarely double figure rebounders too.

Claxton makes a lot, but he's cost-controlled for 3 seasons, so it's under control...it might even be possible to dump everything we don't want to BRK since they have so much cap space and are at least a year away from being 2 years away, so it would make sense for them to gather prospects and picks rather than hang on to a defensive specialist as their best player. I think they'd love AB as the star attraction in a trade, which might lessen the draft equity demand they would usually look for...especially considering they have 4 this year alone.

AB, WCJ, Goga, Jett (appx $33m total) + #25

to BRK for...

Claxton and #27

*Fill out the roster with vet min guys or srps and/or re-negotiate Moe's deal for $8m x 3yrs...hang in there while he recovers. If we can open up the MLE, perhaps someone as impactful as Bobby Portis could be had...if not, get a vet min like Plumlee or even Bamba to hold down backup mins. until Moe returns. Also, there are some very big bodies in the second round just to try to find someone to bang around while the premier bigs get a breather.

But Claxton, Paolo, Franz, Suggs, Bane as a starting lineup is a contender...NAW?, Isaac, TdS, Moe, #27 (BPA-Clayton, Raynaud), #46 (Powell, James, Proctor), possibly Caleb/CoJo/Gary (vet min)/Queen, vet min ring chaser(s) round it out -Jingles, Westbrook, Tyus? Depending on who's drafted, the MLE could be swung in different directions - DLo? Portis? two guys? Davion Mitchell(rfa-will MIA have a bigger deal requiring $$)? etc

I had a similar thought to this but I don't think I want claxton at his salary with what we're paying the top 4 of this roster. I'm more in favor for a WCJ salary dump long term and getting a young big for this season. Many on here want Walter clayton at #25 but I don't see the interest. He could be the next 20something pick that turns into an all-star but no reason for that gamble now. Id rather see us get a spencer Dinwiddie or Russell Westbrook on a vet minimum to shore up the pg/ball handling issues and nab a center in the draft while getting off WCJ upcoming salary. I think that puts us in a better position in the next few years.

[BCS]

M-Wagner on a multi-year "front-loaded" deal would limit this team for 2025, but open doors moving forward.

Let's say year one is at 10M, rather than the 8M we all throw around, then a 4-year 40M deal is actually a rapidly declining deal.
The 10% increases in the cap each year mean that the 10M in year one is the "same" as 13M in year 4.

To stay under the 1st apron, we d need the 1st year to be around 7 M, so i thins we ll offer him a 15 M (1+1) over 2 yrs so he can prove that he is healthy and resign him to a long term contract next season (2026-2027 will be hte only year we ll be over the 2nd apron)

I am hoping for 3/24. So similar to you annually. Prehaps year-3 is team-option splitting our differnce!

I like 7-8m per year avg deal for moe for 3 years, I think that is fair for both sides, but why would we prefer a declining contract?

I would think the opposite, we will be above the aprons for the next few years at least with paolos extension coming, so I do not think that will give us any flexibility whatsoever moving forward. On the other hand, if his 1st year can be below 7m or so, we still have room to sign someone else this year, which should be the way to go imo.

Sent from my SM-A716U using RealGM mobile app

[jonbob17]

When do we think Moe will be available? The Magic didn't announce his surgery until Jan 10. If its 12 months it might be closer to the all star break.

Seems like another two year with a 2nd year option would be a favor to Moe ( and Franz). I don't really know that it matters how much the $ is if he can opt out it year 2.

[Skybox]

When do we think Moe will be available? The Magic didn't announce his surgery until Jan 10. If its 12 months it might be closer to the all star break.

Seems like another two year with a 2nd year option would be a favor to Moe ( and Franz). I don't really know that it matters how much the $ is if he can opt out it year 2.

Agree...especially when you consider that most of year 1 is for rehabbing.

Not being insensitive or cheap...just realistic about ORL's present situation and opportunities that must outweigh other considerations.