Official 2025 Offseason Thread

[jezzerinho]

For players outside the US (and obvs some inside too) playing for your country is the pinnacle. So it's tough to expect motivated patriotic players to turn down their national team for a tournament and risk being ostracised from future rosters.

That said, i think Franz runs the risk of burnout if he doesn't manage his load and I do agree a summer spent with a specialist on his jumper would be huge for him.

He’s played so many times already on his team, why won’t they let him just sit this one out?

lol that's not how national competitions works or fans view it.

He is 24. Two days of sleep and spa and he'll be like new one.

Hahaha. He's piling up the minutes tho, between Worlds, Olympics, Euros and 90-game NBA seasons. He's in great physical shape to be fair, but those miles.catch up on you eventually.

[AdamTheGreek]

I really wish he would take the summer off and concentrate on his shooting.

The best way to practice shooting is no other than to shoot in a live setting. I would argue this is the best way to prepare yourself for the NBA season.

He’s done that with the WorldCup and Olympics and his shot got worse.

Actually his step-back has gotten better.
It’s his set shots where he overthinks them.
This isn’t related to his German NT duty.

[AdamTheGreek]

He’s done that with the WorldCup and Olympics and his shot got worse.

For players outside the US (and obvs some inside too) playing for your country is the pinnacle. So it's tough to expect motivated patriotic players to turn down their national team for a tournament and risk being ostracised from future rosters.

That said, i think Franz runs the risk of burnout if he doesn't manage his load and I do agree a summer spent with a specialist on his jumper would be huge for him.

He’s played so many times already on his team, why won’t they let him just sit this one out?

There’s no gun to his head. He loves it.
He loves spending time in Germany in the offseason, recharge his batteries, then he plays 4-6 weeks with guys on a team in many instances he’s sort of grown up with. And they’re good. They’ve got a good shot at gold.
He probably wants to make up for the bronze last EuroBasket, because he’s competitive as hell.

And there’s no 2026 FIBA tourney.

Plus we always have Magic staff there (Brielmeier, trainer, etc.).

Franz’s shot broke because of Magic coaching. Who is to say he isn’t seeing a different shooting specialist separate from the team?

[ORLMagicGirl15]

Should we go after Russel Westbrook as a vet presence?

[MagicTownBaller]

Should we go after Russel Westbrook as a vet presence?

In the right circumstances, it could work.

[Skybox]

Should we go after Russel Westbrook as a vet presence?

He's still a FIERCE competitor and contributor and he knows how to move without the ball...if we do get that offensive-minded assistant coach that can help integrate some more movement into our stagnant spectator offense - he'd be great. I'd get the coach first and make sure they are down with each other...Westbrook is also a very solid stubborn presence, so you want to make sure his powerful influence isn't a source of conflict.

I love the guy, despite the questions...as long as he accepts his (limited) role.

[RookieStar]

For players outside the US (and obvs some inside too) playing for your country is the pinnacle. So it's tough to expect motivated patriotic players to turn down their national team for a tournament and risk being ostracised from future rosters.

That said, i think Franz runs the risk of burnout if he doesn't manage his load and I do agree a summer spent with a specialist on his jumper would be huge for him.

He’s played so many times already on his team, why won’t they let him just sit this one out?

There’s no gun to his head. He loves it.
He loves spending time in Germany in the offseason, recharge his batteries, then he plays 4-6 weeks with guys on a team in many instances he’s sort of grown up with. And they’re good. They’ve got a good shot at gold.
He probably wants to make up for the bronze last EuroBasket, because he’s competitive as hell.

And there’s no 2026 FIBA tourney.

Plus we always have Magic staff there (Brielmeier, trainer, etc.).

Franz’s shot broke because of Magic coaching. Who is to say he isn’t seeing a different shooting specialist separate from the team?

You got inside source on this? You mean Magic org sent a trainer for Franz that caused the hitch? And we asked him to do it after their international tourney last year? Becasue if I remember, that 3pt shoot in the tourney was already evident

[basketballRob]

Franz shot way better pre oblique injury.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

[ORLMagicGirl15]

Franz shot way better pre oblique injury.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

I guess you’re right. He was 51/159 on 3s at 32% before the oblique. He tanked after to average 29.2% for the season.

[DiplomaticMagic]

Call me crazy but I really dont want us to trade Isaac.

Last season was really painful for him but I really believe its because of the weight gain and playing him at center.

Two seasons ago, he was one of the best x-factors in the nba. He was the 8th person off the bench and was probably the best in the league. That is worth keeping.

[RookieStar]

Call me crazy but I really dont want us to trade Isaac.

Last season was really painful for him but I really believe its because of the weight gain and playing him at center.

Two seasons ago, he was one of the best x-factors in the nba. He was the 8th person off the bench and was probably the best in the league. That is worth keeping.

No we are the same... i dont wanna let JI go as well
We finally havr him healthy. Let him slim down again. Give him the Mcdaniels, AG, etc role where he hounds the big scorers of the opponents instead of naking him a backup C

[cedric76]

Call me crazy but I really dont want us to trade Isaac.

Last season was really painful for him but I really believe its because of the weight gain and playing him at center.

Two seasons ago, he was one of the best x-factors in the nba. He was the 8th person off the bench and was probably the best in the league. That is worth keeping.

No worries, we r not gonna trade him

[pepe1991]

Call me crazy but I really dont want us to trade Isaac.

Last season was really painful for him but I really believe its because of the weight gain and playing him at center.

Two seasons ago, he was one of the best x-factors in the nba. He was the 8th person off the bench and was probably the best in the league. That is worth keeping.

No we are the same... i dont wanna let JI go as well
We finally havr him healthy. Let him slim down again. Give him the Mcdaniels, AG, etc role where he hounds the big scorers of the opponents instead of naking him a backup C

How many times, since 2017 two things were true in same season:
1) Isaac didn't suck
2) Isaac didn't have season ending injury

[RookieStar]

Call me crazy but I really dont want us to trade Isaac.

Last season was really painful for him but I really believe its because of the weight gain and playing him at center.

Two seasons ago, he was one of the best x-factors in the nba. He was the 8th person off the bench and was probably the best in the league. That is worth keeping.

No we are the same... i dont wanna let JI go as well
We finally havr him healthy. Let him slim down again. Give him the Mcdaniels, AG, etc role where he hounds the big scorers of the opponents instead of naking him a backup C

How many times, since 2017 two things were true in same season:
1) Isaac didn't suck
2) Isaac didn't have season ending injury

Next season he gonna be 2 out of 2

[pepe1991]

No we are the same... i dont wanna let JI go as well
We finally havr him healthy. Let him slim down again. Give him the Mcdaniels, AG, etc role where he hounds the big scorers of the opponents instead of naking him a backup C

How many times, since 2017 two things were true in same season:
1) Isaac didn't suck
2) Isaac didn't have season ending injury

Next season he gonna be 2 out of 2

For first time?

No really.

year 1- sucking
year 2- closest thing to healthy and not sucking
year 3 - hurt
year 4 - hurt - 0 games played
year 5- hurt- 0 games played
year 6 - hurt- 11 games played
year 7 - contract year (58 games) played great
year 8- sucking

Guy is definition of fool's gold. Onedimensional role player who is often hurt but expensive. Pretty much worst possible player you can have. Gives you enough to be fool's gold because 10% of time he is great, but neither plays often nor has any consitant level of production to be reliable.

He is like Wilson Chandler on Nuggets. They spent like 6 years waiting until he figures out, breaks out and recovers from injury, and once he finally did, he was 30 and sucked as player. Sounds familiar?

[dsg2021]

How many times, since 2017 two things were true in same season:
1) Isaac didn't suck
2) Isaac didn't have season ending injury

Next season he gonna be 2 out of 2

For first time?

No really.

year 1- sucking
year 2- closest thing to healthy and not sucking
year 3 - hurt
year 4 - hurt - 0 games played
year 5- hurt- 0 games played
year 6 - hurt- 11 games played
year 7 - contract year (58 games) played great
year 8- sucking

Guy is definition of fool's gold. Onedimensional role player who is often hurt but expensive. Pretty much worst possible player you can have. Gives you enough to be fool's gold because 10% of time he is great, but neither plays often nor has any consitant level of production to be reliable.

He is like Wilson Chandler on Nuggets. They spent like 6 years waiting until he figures out, breaks out and recovers from injury, and once he finally did, he was 30 and sucked as player. Sounds familiar?

Not that I expect him to do it that little but JI can be amazing for 1 game out of 10 and it's already worth his 14.5 mil at 8% of cap value, lol

[cedric76]

No we are the same... i dont wanna let JI go as well
We finally havr him healthy. Let him slim down again. Give him the Mcdaniels, AG, etc role where he hounds the big scorers of the opponents instead of naking him a backup C

How many times, since 2017 two things were true in same season:
1) Isaac didn't suck
2) Isaac didn't have season ending injury

Next season he gonna be 2 out of 2

And1

[jezzerinho]

How many times, since 2017 two things were true in same season:
1) Isaac didn't suck
2) Isaac didn't have season ending injury

Next season he gonna be 2 out of 2

And1

On offense he's gonna suck. You can book that. I just can't fathom how, after all those injury layoff periods, his handle is still non existant and his shooting touch is still putrid.

On defence, sure we could yet get amazing years from him. I'll buy that Kool Aid. I won't drink it yet tho....!

[RookieStar]

Next season he gonna be 2 out of 2

And1

On offense he's gonna suck. You can book that. I just can't fathom how, after all those injury layoff periods, his handle is still non existant and his shooting touch is still putrid.

On defence, sure we could yet get amazing years from him. I'll buy that Kool Aid. I won't drink it yet tho....!

TBF isnt that what most of us want? Inknow im not the only one who has his heart in his mouth everytike JI drives...

Let him chuck 3s on offense and rebound

[AdamTheGreek]

People have to stop making excuses for Isaac.
He had 6 months during the season to slim down. He himself in the exit interview said he was at 235, that his ideal weight is 230. 5 pounds does not make that big of a difference.
Either two things are going on with JI:
The toll of too many injuries reached a boiling point and his body is cooked.
Or he has long COVID effects and either he or the team are hiding it.
Either way, not worth a $15 million salary that is weighing us down.
He contributes zero offensively. In the 2020 bubble he was showing Durant-like offense. All of that is gone.