Big decisions ahead...

locomagicfan · Post #1 » by **locomagicfan** » Fri Feb 8, 2008 11:19 pm

This summer is one of the most critical in the franchise. Our core group of Set with Lewis, Nelson and Dwight (Hedo for some). This summer is going to shape up what kind of players we put around them whether we make the next big step.

Two of the biggest decisions are who we retain at PG, and what role Hedo has after Battie comes back.

Here's my take:
Keep Dooling
Keep Mo Evans
Trade Away Exirings, Bogans, Fran etc. for a quality SG like Mike Miller in a package deal for Crittenton (LOVE HIS UPSIDE)
Battie comes off the bench, since this years team has worked out nicely so far.

I could see the roster hopefully shaping out like this

Dwight/Adonal/Gortat
Lewis/Battie/Cook
Hedo/Evans
Miller or Artest or another Quality SG from deal/JJ
Nelson/Crittenton or DRAFT or Packaged PG/Dooling

Optimus_Steel · Post #2 » by **Optimus_Steel** » Fri Feb 8, 2008 11:28 pm

I think this past offseason is/was far more critical than this upcoming offseason is gonna be. Sure is important but i think there are pieces out there that are attainable. This offseason is gonna more like a rounding out sort of thing.

locomagicfan · Post #3 » by **locomagicfan** » Fri Feb 8, 2008 11:32 pm

The question I pose is Battie coming back affects how we round out this roster, especially with Hedo. Do you send Hedo back to the bench to be that huge spark, or does he stay as a 6'10 SG?

This will impact us HUGE cuz either we go out and get another SG to play ahead of Evans, or we keep Hedo at that positon.

thepritz · Post #4 » by **thepritz** » Sat Feb 9, 2008 1:00 am

I dont see us winning a championship with Lewis and Hedo in our starting lineup. one must go, or come off the bench.. lewis is way out of position at 4 and hedo the same at 2...as good as hedo has been i think Lewis at SF and a REAL PF with dwight makes us hard to stop (lets also hope for someone like miller at SG) but sorry hedo..

Post #5 » by **UCFJayBird** » Sat Feb 9, 2008 1:20 am

i think i'd like to watch how this season goes before i start talking about the summer. We're heading for the playoffs and likely home court advantage in the first round. So I want to see how this team looks come playoff time.

Now if our record was reversed I could see this conversation happening, but right now i say discuss the current state of the team.

richboy · Post #6 » by **richboy** » Sat Feb 9, 2008 2:00 am

Sorry but when Battie comes back he riding the bench. One thing I have learned from SVG is he is not stuck on being nice and playing players just because they were played in the past. There no way Hedo or Rashard is being sent to the bench in favor of one of the least productive PF/C in the NBA.

I also think just because Rashard is making the big money that don't just assume that Hedo going to bench. Fact is this team needs Hedo ball handling and playmaking and Rashard can't provide that. Again looking how SVG has handled the Jameer and JJ situation it would not surprise me if this team did pick up a PF that Lewis would become the 6th man.

The only thing critical is this trade deadline. After these contracts expire there is little to offer in a trade to improve the roster. IMO the depth in talent on this roster has been on a steady decline. The improvement of the upper level players has offset that however if things don't go well this team could be searching for multiple backups.

thepritz · Post #7 » by **thepritz** » Sat Feb 9, 2008 3:17 am

lets not forget how good lewis is.. he didnt get a big check for no reason (even if it was a little much) put turk at the 4 and lets see how much less productive he is... fact is rashard is a more versatile, athletic player.. turk will eventually be shipped.. its only a matter of time... his value is high.. lets get something for him that will help us..

on a side note.. jameer should start every game from here on out.

lovehoops01 · Post #8 » by **lovehoops01** » Sat Feb 9, 2008 9:19 am

Yeah, if the Magic intend to make a deal involving expirings, it would have to be by the trade deadline. I do think they need a PF, but if they can't get a guy who will help them for the long term, I am hesitant to make a move and mess with chemistry at this point in the season. Also a factor is how many of these guys Otis wants to and believes he can re-sign in the offseason if he doesn't trade their expiring contracts (outside of Garrity, I think we all agree he will be gone). Because you do have to keep up the talent level and it would be tough to do that with just the MLE to deal with.

But playing Rashard at PF takes away some of the advantages he has against opponents and doesn't help the Magic's rebounding most nights. SVG has indicated that he believes Hedo could play shooting guard. Can't remember where I read it, but one of the local newspaper writers has quoted him recently as indicating that so doesn't sound like he wants to sacrifice Hedo to make a deal.

parso15 · Post #9 » by **parso15** » Sat Feb 9, 2008 12:44 pm

thepritz wrote:lets not forget how good lewis is.. he didnt get a big check for no reason (even if it was a little much) put turk at the 4 and lets see how much less productive he is... fact is rashard is a more versatile, athletic player.. turk will eventually be shipped.. its only a matter of time... his value is high.. lets get something for him that will help us..

on a side note.. jameer should start every game from here on out.

Don't be a homer... if Rashard did play for another team putting up these numbers & disapearing late in games you would call him a punk. Just because he has the big contract & can't be moved does not make him the better player. Although defensively he is overmatched he should still be killing those big guys off the drible. But guess what Hedo is the guy beating his guy and dishing to teammates.

Another point just because a player is more athletic he is NOT more talented. Hedo is the most versatile player the Magic have. He can play SG,SF & PF and this year he showed that he played PG in the junior ranks.
I do believe that Hedo would put up better offensive numbers if he played the 4 and was guarded by a bigman but defensively he would probably have more problems to contain them...but its not like Lewis is a stopper either.

drsd · Post #10 » by **drsd** » Sat Feb 9, 2008 1:03 pm

prorl wrote:I think this past offseason is/was far more critical than this upcoming offseason is gonna be. Sure is important but i think there are pieces out there that are attainable. This offseason is gonna more like a rounding out sort of thing.

The Magic "only" need to upgrade the SG or the PF slot with a MLE type. So I agree that the coming off season will be a little less stressful for GM Smith.

But much of the coming off season will be about replacing all the expiring guys with quality LLE bench players.