Official Summer 2024 Magic Free Agency and Trade Ideas Thread 3.0

[Skybox]

I think WCJ is very good but not a good fit....

I kind of agree here. If the Magic could flip Carter with the teams expiring money (G-Harris and Fultz) for a quality SG, I would be quite OK with the Magic locking up Bitadze on a 3-4 year deal and calling is an off-season.

Me too...but I'd also consider keeping WCJ a plus, just changing his role. He SHOULD be averaging 10 rebs as a starter...he's done it before. Again, just not the right guy next to Paolo/Franz.

Someone who defends the rim, sets picks, switches well enough, steals a few offensive boards, etc....shouldn't be that hard. Isaac is intriguing there. I'd keep an eye on Time Lord's rehab too - POR should be a seller (as part of a Simons or Brogdon deal)

[KillMonger]

One thing for sure, playoffs is going to expose how we need to build the team very clearly

[SOUL]

Exposing usually means lack of knowledge - we know what we need, and while we could've made some improvements this trade deadline to ultimately get where we want to be sooner, a lot if it will be simply taking your lumps and hopefully gearing towards/acquiring the most optimal roster over the next 2-3 years.

[KillMonger]

Exposing usually means lack of knowledge - we know what we need, and while we could've made some improvements this trade deadline to ultimately get where we want to be sooner, a lot if it will be simply taking your lumps and hopefully gearing towards/acquiring the most optimal roster over the next 2-3 years.

Taking the lumps achieves the same goal either way.....just hope that weltman and Parker can make the decisions that need to be made without feeling sentimental

Sent from my [Hands] using RealGM mobile app

[cedric76]

I think WCJ is very good but not a good fit...there's an argument for his offense, but maybe that's just because of our lack of backcourt offense. We generally have two defensive-minded guards (Suggs, Black, Fultz, Harris...) without explosive scoring potential on a per game basis, so we accommodate with THREE offensive-minded guys on the frontline and accept limited rim-protection and rebounding. Our team rebounding is okay, but as you look at the playoffs, you've got to think the defense and rebounding is the big difference maker inside. I like the idea of WCJ in the rotation but not necessarily playing the bulk of his minutes with the starters. I would also consider moving WCJ, Cole, picks, Ingles (or waiving him), Harris, Okeke & Fultz gone...but - Here's a look at a possible rotation for next year...if we were able to ONLY add a scoring guard to pair with Suggs:

Goga, WCJ, M. Wagner *Goga (or Claxton) only makes sense IF we could generate enough offense from backcourt. Defensive C.
Paolo, Isaac *I could see WCJ, Isaac, and Mo playing all over 4/5 in different configurations. My favorite is Isaac
Franz, Houstan eventually becoming starting C and DPOY (if his body allows). I like WCJ, but better off the bench with less Suggs, Cole, Jett backcourt scoring. I could also see Cole bouncing around with different guard pairings.
Monk (or Murray or Simons), Black, vet PG like Dunn

*Claxton has not been as awesome as he was last season, so the shine is kind of off of him, IMO - depending on the price. Maybe CLE stumbles and really has to rethink their two C, two PG uber-talented but poor fitting lineup. I'd give a lot for Mobley or Jarrett Allen, but would likely have to be a 3-way as CLE is certainly win now and our picks and available players won't do it (unless we made Suggs available ). Gafford would have been a very gettable, reasonably priced facsimile of Claxton, who actually can shoot FTs.

Somehow trading for Mobley or Allen AND signing Monk would be an amazing summer. I'm not completely sold on Monk, but I do like him out of the UFA's out there....overpaying Monk AND Claxton would be fiscally dangerous-depending on the degree of overpay. You'd have to really believe Monk is the answer-not just an available improvement.

I'm still all in on Claxton for us. He's so versatile on defense and is a great rebounder. Coming into his early prime next season. We will love him, we've seen how impactful Goga has been.

I like Claxton but I think Wcj is a better fit, Wcj allow p5 to operate in the paint (because he can spread the floor) which Claxton can't.

[cedric76]

I just saw this:

"The Kings only have Monk's Early Bird rights, which means they can't offer him a starting salary above $17.4 million. That would only matter if one of the teams with cap space comes calling. Otherwise, the Kings should have no issue bringing back a core piece in their rotation."

I d offer 18M per year to Monk

I'd offer more than that, I think he's exactly what we need. But if all it takes to get him is $17.40000000001 million, sign me up

Looking at other teams with cap space I don't see any teams that could offer him 20M and a chance to start next to suggs

Monk was on fire against the Wolf

I d offer him a front loader 85M contract/ 4 years

Offer a 1+1 contract to Harris

Offer a 1+1 to goga (if he doesn't take it, sign a vet C to a 1 year contract)

Draft a Big

Suggs, Black, Cole
Monk, Jett, Harris
Franz, Houstan, Joe
PB, JI, mo
Wcj,mo, goga , rookie Big (high upside like Aaron Bradshaw)

[SOUL]

Draft a Big

Suggs, Black, Cole
Monk, Jett, Harris
Franz, Houstan, Joe
PB, JI, mo
Wcj,mo, goga , rookie Big (high upside like Aaron Bradshaw)

Goga isn't resigning to be 3rd stringer, and then we're not keeping a 4th big on the roster (or 5th including JI) - if we get a big it's to offset losing Goga

[cedric76]

Draft a Big

Suggs, Black, Cole
Monk, Jett, Harris
Franz, Houstan, Joe
PB, JI, mo
Wcj,mo, goga , rookie Big (high upside like Aaron Bradshaw)

Goga isn't resigning to be 3rd stringer, and then we're not keeping a 4th big on the roster (or 5th including JI) - if we get a big it's to offset losing Goga

If he doesn't want a 1+1 then he is gonna sadly

We can't afford to lock him long term if he is gonna be a 3rd string, especially if JI is healthy and we draft a high upside big like Bradshaw

[pepe1991]

We could simply use 2024 first round pick to draft 3rd string C and send him to G league

[drsd]

We could simply use 2024 first round pick to draft 3rd string C and send him to G league

We all laugh, but this actually is not a joke. If the Magic draft Tyler Smith or Kyle Filipowski, frankly "likely" outcomes of the draft for Orlando, then Mr. rookie needs to think about the housing market in Osceola.

[pepe1991]

We could simply use 2024 first round pick to draft 3rd string C and send him to G league

We all laugh, but this actually is not a joke. If the Magic draft Tyler Smith or Kyle Filipowski, frankly "likely" outcomes of the draft for Orlando, then Mr. rookie needs to think about the housing market in Osceola.

I wasn't even joking, that makes sense. I mean, we did pretty much execlly that with Jett Howard, who is lottery pick.

[RookieStar]

We could simply use 2024 first round pick to draft 3rd string C and send him to G league

We all laugh, but this actually is not a joke. If the Magic draft Tyler Smith or Kyle Filipowski, frankly "likely" outcomes of the draft for Orlando, then Mr. rookie needs to think about the housing market in Osceola.

Kyle isnt a C.... or if we play him, he has got to be the softest C ever. Tyler Smith i have hope to be a JI clone...

[jezzerinho]

I'd offer more than that, I think he's exactly what we need. But if all it takes to get him is $17.40000000001 million, sign me up

Looking at other teams with cap space I don't see any teams that could offer him 20M and a chance to start next to suggs

Monk was on fire against the Wolf

I d offer him a front loader 85M contract/ 4 years

Offer a 1+1 contract to Harris

Offer a 1+1 to goga (if he doesn't take it, sign a vet C to a 1 year contract)

Draft a Big

Suggs, Black, Cole
Monk, Jett, Harris
Franz, Houstan, Joe
PB, JI, mo
Wcj,mo, goga , rookie Big (high upside like Aaron Bradshaw)

To shoot 39 (in an overtime game) is one thing, but to do it against the Wolves is quite another.

Just not sure Monk is the physical profile Orlando wants in a starter. Which is a shame because hed be a great fit.

[cedric76]

We could simply use 2024 first round pick to draft 3rd string C and send him to G league

If we draft someone like Bradshaw, sending him to the G league would be the right move.

Prepare him to become a starting C and not a 3rd string C

[bigdogdylan5]

Don’t shoot the messenger here lol. So what if we strikeout on all trade options for a top point guard. My friend brought up the idea of Lonzo Ball. I know I know my first reaction was probably yours. Hell no on a possible damaged goods injured player. But if we’re able to trade for him cheap from the Bulls might be worth it as he has just a year left. Could be an excellent bridge guy. Idk Bulls have been a very bizarre run organization and probably will not tear it down even though they should but if Ball can be had might be worth it assuming nothing better materializes.

Also to note he does have a player option, obviously same assumption he picks that up unless someone is willing to give him a longer contract. I am not sure we should do that lol.

[Skybox]

Don’t shoot the messenger here lol. So what if we strikeout on all trade options for a top point guard. My friend brought up the idea of Lonzo Ball. I know I know my first reaction was probably yours. Hell no on a possible damaged goods injured player. But if we’re able to trade for him cheap from the Bulls might be worth it as he has just a year left. Could be an excellent bridge guy. Idk Bulls have been a very bizarre run organization and probably will not tear it down even though they should but if Ball can be had might be worth it assuming nothing better materializes.

Also to note he does have a player option, obviously same assumption he picks that up unless someone is willing to give him a longer contract. I am not sure we should do that lol.

A healthy Lonzo would be near perfect…big, solid defender, high IQ, high-volume 3 pt shooter, etc

But…from all reports, he’s really done- not the kind of chronic issue that goes away. I’d absorb him in a deal for Coby and then hope for the best for a year…but I don’t think he’s coming back. He’s become a hell of a player…the Bulls became the story of the league until he went out. He was the engine that made that team work.

[Skybox]

I think WCJ is very good but not a good fit...there's an argument for his offense, but maybe that's just because of our lack of backcourt offense. We generally have two defensive-minded guards (Suggs, Black, Fultz, Harris...) without explosive scoring potential on a per game basis, so we accommodate with THREE offensive-minded guys on the frontline and accept limited rim-protection and rebounding. Our team rebounding is okay, but as you look at the playoffs, you've got to think the defense and rebounding is the big difference maker inside. I like the idea of WCJ in the rotation but not necessarily playing the bulk of his minutes with the starters. I would also consider moving WCJ, Cole, picks, Ingles (or waiving him), Harris, Okeke & Fultz gone...but - Here's a look at a possible rotation for next year...if we were able to ONLY add a scoring guard to pair with Suggs:

Goga, WCJ, M. Wagner *Goga (or Claxton) only makes sense IF we could generate enough offense from backcourt. Defensive C.
Paolo, Isaac *I could see WCJ, Isaac, and Mo playing all over 4/5 in different configurations. My favorite is Isaac
Franz, Houstan eventually becoming starting C and DPOY (if his body allows). I like WCJ, but better off the bench with less Suggs, Cole, Jett backcourt scoring. I could also see Cole bouncing around with different guard pairings.
Monk (or Murray or Simons), Black, vet PG like Dunn

*Claxton has not been as awesome as he was last season, so the shine is kind of off of him, IMO - depending on the price. Maybe CLE stumbles and really has to rethink their two C, two PG uber-talented but poor fitting lineup. I'd give a lot for Mobley or Jarrett Allen, but would likely have to be a 3-way as CLE is certainly win now and our picks and available players won't do it (unless we made Suggs available ). Gafford would have been a very gettable, reasonably priced facsimile of Claxton, who actually can shoot FTs.

Somehow trading for Mobley or Allen AND signing Monk would be an amazing summer. I'm not completely sold on Monk, but I do like him out of the UFA's out there....overpaying Monk AND Claxton would be fiscally dangerous-depending on the degree of overpay. You'd have to really believe Monk is the answer-not just an available improvement.

I'm still all in on Claxton for us. He's so versatile on defense and is a great rebounder. Coming into his early prime next season. We will love him, we've seen how impactful Goga has been.

I like Claxton but I think Wcj is a better fit, Wcj allow p5 to operate in the paint (because he can spread the floor) which Claxton can't.

That’s what guards are supposed to do…WCJ’s improved 3pt % is nice, but his rebounds and blocks are at career lows …and THOSE are the things Paolo & Franz really need as score-first forwards. WCJ is over 40% now but he’s still a reluctant shooter (other than in the corners- where you don’t want your defensive backstop to be…watching the other team head the other way). He pump fakes and stutter steps his way out of open shots. He’s a very good, super versatile big man, who can do everything pretty well…but we have two guys that do scoring REALLY well, so the big things we lack from our frontline fall on the Center (or should). When you have two young stars…everybody else either fits around them or they’re better off elsewhere…their individual merits are not a priority- how they fit around Paolo & Franz is the whole story now.

Sounds like you miss Bamba, if floor spacing is what Centers are primarily for.

[RookieStar]

Regarding Lonzo... he is kinda who im hoping AB will become

[pepe1991]

Since Lonzo is mentioned, it seems like Lonzo is actually FINALLY is gearing up to return on a floor , but probably not this year.

[drsd]

Kyle isnt a C.... or if we play him, he has got to be the softest C ever. Tyler Smith i have hope to be a JI clone...

That kind of misses the point, which is, no rookie next year will get regular court time. At all. At any five slots.

As such: why keep the pick? Is the Magic trying to make a G-league allstar team in Osceola. What value is that to Orlando fans?