Official Summer 2024 Magic Free Agency and Trade Ideas Thread 3.0

[thelead]

Personally, I think AB is exactly what WePark want at the PG slot. He can guard 1-4 and has a diversity of skills. I think the job is his to lose.

As for Jett, I don't know. They obviously like him. I doubt any information they've gathered post draft has changed their plans for him. I believe they value providing players a path to playing time and genuinely think being in the G-League is beneficial for his development. He'll get his shot at rotation minutes.

All that said, Franz and Paolo are a core to build around. WePark say they don't want to skip any steps, but isn't a step in a rebuild consolidating around a core?

We have pre-extension cap space and draft equity, it will be tempting to shop for a bonafide 3rd option. I'd prefer we let Suggs/AB/Jett fight for the role internally. We are in no rush.

With how they're 'developing' AB, I don't think they care for a true PG. We're in agreement there... which brings me to asking if AB is the best 'guard' for this team then moving forward. Wouldn't we be better off trading AB and a pick or 2 for someone like Mikal Bridges if he becomes available this summer?

Claxton or Goga
Paolo
Franz
Mikal
Suggs

That sure does seem like a Weltman roster to me.

No, I don't think we are in a position to trade lotto talent. We need upside, not win-now.

Mikal is 27. Dejounte is 27. Donovan Mitchell is 27. These guys are win-now AND young.

[eyriq]

With how they're 'developing' AB, I don't think they care for a true PG. We're in agreement there... which brings me to asking if AB is the best 'guard' for this team then moving forward. Wouldn't we be better off trading AB and a pick or 2 for someone like Mikal Bridges if he becomes available this summer?

Claxton or Goga
Paolo
Franz
Mikal
Suggs

That sure does seem like a Weltman roster to me.

No, I don't think we are in a position to trade lotto talent. We need upside, not win-now.

Mikal is 27. Dejounte is 27. Donovan Mitchell is 27. These guys are win-now AND young.

When Paolo and Franz are in their prime who is better, those guys or AB?

[thelead]

No, I don't think we are in a position to trade lotto talent. We need upside, not win-now.

Mikal is 27. Dejounte is 27. Donovan Mitchell is 27. These guys are win-now AND young.

When Paolo and Franz are in their prime who is better, those guys or AB?

We don't know. It's VERY possible that 5 years from now those guys are still way better than AB.

[eyriq]

Mikal is 27. Dejounte is 27. Donovan Mitchell is 27. These guys are win-now AND young.

When Paolo and Franz are in their prime who is better, those guys or AB?

We don't know. It's VERY possible that 5 years from now those guys are still way better than AB.

Possible but consider this, Weltman drafted AB. He believes in AB. AB at 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 vs those guys at 31, 32, 33, 34, 35...

They are taking AB 10/10. So am I.

[thelead]

When Paolo and Franz are in their prime who is better, those guys or AB?

We don't know. It's VERY possible that 5 years from now those guys are still way better than AB.

Possible but consider this, Weltman drafted AB. He believes in AB. AB at 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 vs those guys at 31, 32, 33, 34, 35...

They are taking AB 10/10. So am I.

What kind of career are you envisioning for AB with what you've seen so far? What's the comp in your eyes?

I'm still a big fan of AB but I'm a magic fan first and winning ONE championship is more important than romanticizing about building some sort of epic dynasty that has a low percentage chance of materializing.

I'm not giving up on AB but if a deal is available for a young guy like the ones I've mentioned, you have to consider it. AB is not Paolo. He is not untouchable.

[eyriq]

We don't know. It's VERY possible that 5 years from now those guys are still way better than AB.

Possible but consider this, Weltman drafted AB. He believes in AB. AB at 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 vs those guys at 31, 32, 33, 34, 35...

They are taking AB 10/10. So am I.

What kind of career are you envisioning for AB with what you've seen so far? What's the comp in your eyes?

I'm still a big fan of AB but I'm a magic fan first and winning ONE championship is more important than romanticizing about building some sort of epic dynasty that has a low percentage chance of materializing.

I'm not giving up on AB but if a deal is available for a young guy like the ones I've mentioned, you have to consider it. AB is not Paolo. He is not untouchable.

A bigger George Hill with better defense?

[ORL_on_FIRE]

This thread is awful and it always has been. Just get rid of it entirely.

[jibba jones]

There needs to be a free agent one

[The-Stallion70]

Black has got a loads of burn in his rookie season, our weak guard rotation is what actually works in his favor. Only skill he showcased so far is ability to defend. Like mentioned Raja Bell, but without shooting.

Lol. Raja Bell was 24 in his rookie season.

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You keep using this age argument and referenced AG before but AG's shooting mechanics didn't appear mechanical and unnatural when he was 19. He also wasn't a point guard.

Remember Gordon's 2015 Summer where he came out nailing shots all over the place? Let's just say I'm not expecting Black to do that at all. Black appears to labor through his shooting motion, he doesn't appear natural at all.

The sense I get from him when he shoots is he's like "I'm only doing this because I have to".

[JoshuaPotter]

Black has got a loads of burn in his rookie season, our weak guard rotation is what actually works in his favor. Only skill he showcased so far is ability to defend. Like mentioned Raja Bell, but without shooting.

Lol. Raja Bell was 24 in his rookie season.

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You keep using this age argument and referenced AG before but AG's shooting mechanics didn't appear mechanical and unnatural when he was 19. He also wasn't a point guard.

Remember Gordon's 2015 Summer where he came out nailing shots all over the place? Let's just say I'm not expecting Black to do that at all. Black appears to labor through his shooting motion, he doesn't appear natural at all.

The sense I get from him when he shoots is he's like "I'm only doing this because I have to".

Well age needs to be brought in in terms of where we expect a player to be, as well as the likelihood of improvement vs efficiency gains. AB / AG were drafted relatively young and AG developed into a fine NBA player.

Comparing a rookie season by itself. I would argue especially if the different is "teens" vs "twenties" would make a huge difference on the product seen on the floor and projection. I do not think that is just me.

[Knightro]

There needs to be a free agent one

Use this one. I updated the title to include free agency this summer.

[basketballRob]

Black has got a loads of burn in his rookie season, our weak guard rotation is what actually works in his favor. Only skill he showcased so far is ability to defend. Like mentioned Raja Bell, but without shooting.

Lol. Raja Bell was 24 in his rookie season.

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Yeah, well hard to lookup from the phone in dentist office, but thanks. Anyway, I wasn't comparing their age. I'd love to compare him to Shaun Livingston, but he is not him.

I like Raja Bell, but I think it's too early to say Black will be a non shooter. I really believe he'll develop into a 40% shooter from 3. It's just too early, and he is too young to jump to conclusions. The reasons I think that he'll be good is that he's a good defender, he has size, and can handle the ball. I think he does have touch on his shot.

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[p0peye]

Lol. Raja Bell was 24 in his rookie season.

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Yeah, well hard to lookup from the phone in dentist office, but thanks. Anyway, I wasn't comparing their age. I'd love to compare him to Shaun Livingston, but he is not him.

I like Raja Bell, but I think it's too early to say Black will be a non shooter. I really believe he'll develop into a 40% shooter from 3.

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If so, Raja Bell will be a good comparison.

[basketballRob]

Yeah, well hard to lookup from the phone in dentist office, but thanks. Anyway, I wasn't comparing their age. I'd love to compare him to Shaun Livingston, but he is not him.

I like Raja Bell, but I think it's too early to say Black will be a non shooter. I really believe he'll develop into a 40% shooter from 3.

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If so, Raja Bell will be a good comparison.

I'd be happy with Bell. I don't think we've seen all of Black's passing ability yet. They need to coax more aggression out of him.

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[The-Stallion70]

Yeah, well hard to lookup from the phone in dentist office, but thanks. Anyway, I wasn't comparing their age. I'd love to compare him to Shaun Livingston, but he is not him.

I like Raja Bell, but I think it's too early to say Black will be a non shooter. I really believe he'll develop into a 40% shooter from 3.

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If so, Raja Bell will be a good comparison.

Not really, I just brought that up to point out how a defensive player has limited impact in the NBA. Raja Bell was no 'Kobe Stopper'

Black has great physical tools, Bell did not.

But Bell could shoot. Bell was basically a 3 and D guard who played for the Suns at a time when they met the Lakers in the playoffs and the media blew it up because it's LA.

Black strikes me as a player who did well in High school and in college mainly because he's bigger than other guys but now that he's in the NBA his lack of truly refined offensive skills are exposed.

Think the opposite of Trae Young

Trae -> no physical tools but ridiculous skillset

Black-> Great physical tools but lacking in offensive skillset

[Fortune Teller]

Besides defense, I’m not sure what people have seen in Black to make them think he’s the PG of the future. I don’t see it. There is literally no competition for him at that position and what has he shown?

[p0peye]

I like Raja Bell, but I think it's too early to say Black will be a non shooter. I really believe he'll develop into a 40% shooter from 3.

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If so, Raja Bell will be a good comparison.

Not really, I just brought that up to point out how a defensive player has limited impact in the NBA. Raja Bell was no 'Kobe Stopper'

Black has great physical tools, Bell did not.

But Bell could shoot. Bell was basically a 3 and D guard who played for the Suns at a time when they met the Lakers in the playoffs and the media blew it up because it's LA.

Black strikes me as a player who did well in High school and in college mainly because he's bigger than other guys but now that he's in the NBA his lack of truly refined offensive skills are exposed.

Think the opposite of Trae Young

Trae -> no physical tools but ridiculous skillset

Black-> Great physical tools but lacking in offensive skillset

So, if AB could shoot, he'd be rich man's Raja Bell? Until then, he's D with no 3?

[The-Stallion70]

If so, Raja Bell will be a good comparison.

Not really, I just brought that up to point out how a defensive player has limited impact in the NBA. Raja Bell was no 'Kobe Stopper'

Black has great physical tools, Bell did not.

But Bell could shoot. Bell was basically a 3 and D guard who played for the Suns at a time when they met the Lakers in the playoffs and the media blew it up because it's LA.

Black strikes me as a player who did well in High school and in college mainly because he's bigger than other guys but now that he's in the NBA his lack of truly refined offensive skills are exposed.

Think the opposite of Trae Young

Trae -> no physical tools but ridiculous skillset

Black-> Great physical tools but lacking in offensive skillset

So, if AB could shoot, he'd be rich man's Raja Bell? Until then, he's D with no 3?

I believe so ya, Black can do a little bit off the dribble and on that Suns team Bell mainly stood in the corner while Nash handled it but yea.

The NBA is different now though, shooting is more important now than ever and Black doesn't shoot it well.

I don't want to sound like a doomsayer but I'm just concerned that the Magic drafted another point guard who can't shoot.

[p0peye]

Not really, I just brought that up to point out how a defensive player has limited impact in the NBA. Raja Bell was no 'Kobe Stopper'

Black has great physical tools, Bell did not.

But Bell could shoot. Bell was basically a 3 and D guard who played for the Suns at a time when they met the Lakers in the playoffs and the media blew it up because it's LA.

Black strikes me as a player who did well in High school and in college mainly because he's bigger than other guys but now that he's in the NBA his lack of truly refined offensive skills are exposed.

Think the opposite of Trae Young

Trae -> no physical tools but ridiculous skillset

Black-> Great physical tools but lacking in offensive skillset

So, if AB could shoot, he'd be rich man's Raja Bell? Until then, he's D with no 3?

I believe so ya, Black can do a little bit off the dribble and on that Suns team Bell mainly stood in the corner while Nash handled it but yea.

The NBA is different now though, shooting is more important now than ever and Black doesn't shoot it well.

I don't want to sound like a doomsayer but I'm just concerned that the Magic drafted another point guard who can't shoot.

We don't disagree here.

[Knightro]

I think Black becoming a Lonzo Ball in Year 4/5 type of player would ultimately be a really great outcome for him and for the team.

A big guard who is quick enough with both his hands and feet to defend opposing guards at the point of attack who can also shoot 37%+ from 3PT on heavy volume (this is key) and can work as a high IQ push head guy and secondary playmaker/shot creator for others.