Official 2020 NBA Draft Thread

[Knightro]

You only do that deal if the player you want is available at 2

That's perfectly fair.

But my question still stands... who is that player?

[Tarheel]

I'd be in favor of this deal.

Let's play the hypothetical game...

The Magic trade Vucevic (and probably 15 if we're being realistic) for Wiggins and 2.

Who do you select at 2?

This is going to be unpopular, but if Edwards went 1st, I would probably take LaMelo Ball and immediately shop Fultz.

I would prefer running Ball out in a point-forward/secondary creator role alongside Fultz and backing him up at the PG spot, at least for the first half of next year.

If either of them become consistent 3pt shooters they can play together, and if it shows no signs of working you can move Fultz at the deadline. Next year is a sunk-cost for the most part anyway, IMO, so would be the time to try different things.

The Vuc for #2 deal would be my preferential construction for trading up in the draft. I would like to take a run at Christian Wood with the MLE to start at C (though I'm not sure if the MLE will be enough). I think we'd be better off moving Fournier at the deadline to a team looking to open up 2021 room to take a run at Giannis in the event that he opts in.

AG would be a full-time 4 for the season running a faster paced offense. It would (hopefully) build some trade value for him next summer when we have JI back on the floor.

[Def Swami]

I'd be in favor of this deal.

Let's play the hypothetical game...

The Magic trade Vucevic (and probably 15 if we're being realistic) for Wiggins and 2.

Who do you select at 2?

This is going to be unpopular, but if Edwards went 1st, I would probably take LaMelo Ball and immediately shop Fultz.

I probably would hedge if we had to include the #15 unless the front office was absolutely sold on a player they could get at #2.

I think the appeal of using Vucevic as opposed to Gordon in this deal is perhaps saving the #15 pick. Maybe that's me misreading the value of Gordon and Vucevic to the Warriors. But, I really dislike that Wiggins deal. If we have to eat that contract, I want all the assets for the future at our disposal.

It doesn't matter as much who we take at #2 if the deal was simply as advertised without including #15. The whole appeal from our end is to kick off a mini-rebuild. We can use the '20-'21 season as a transition year. We set ourselves up with future assets like the #2 and #15 picks, Fultz, and Okeke. And still have the contracts of Gordon, Ross, and maybe Fournier to play with. I just think having the crack at #2 and #15 to raise the ceiling of our team over the next 4-8 years and have them on rookie controlled contracts is too good to pass up on. We were talking about Vucevic for Jae Crowder on this forum 2 years ago. I think we have to cash in on his trade value now if this is on the table.

With regard to your question. I think it really depends on if you believe in Mo Bamba. If the team believes in him, then I think I'd actually take Tyrese Haliburton. I'm assuming Anthony Edwards goes #1 to the Wolves, otherwise I'd probably roll the dice on Edwards. That probably sounds like a reach for Haliburton, but I'm not a huge fan of Ball. And, this is why I'd prefer to keep #15. I think the player the Magic get at #15 could be as good as the one they get at #2 in this draft. And the whole appeal of this trade is to give the team more cracks at raising the ceiling of this team in the long term and moving the team in a direction with an eye toward the future and the next decade of Magic basketball.

Now, if you don't believe in Mo Bamba, which I actually lean toward, I'd take James Wiseman at #2. I'd find a new home for Bamba. Maybe he is packaged with Fournier or Ross or Gordon. Or instead of including the #15 to GSW, we send Bamba. They can use the length in the Western Conference. I'd take Wiseman or Haliburton at #2 and Tyrell Terry at #15.

[VFX]

I'd be in favor of this deal.

Let's play the hypothetical game...

The Magic trade Vucevic (and probably 15 if we're being realistic) for Wiggins and 2.

Who do you select at 2?

This is going to be unpopular, but if Edwards went 1st, I would probably take LaMelo Ball and immediately shop Fultz.

Hayes or Avdija

Ball isn’t smart at all, on or off the court. He’s not a player this FO would even consider.

I’m taking the playmaker with the highest ceiling. I believe it’s these two. There is an argument to be made that Haliburton is another option, but I’m not sure id use #2 for him if these guys are available.

Bamba, Birch, and another player can fill in at C. In this hypothetical scenario they are hitting the quick rebuild button. Taking Wiseman, subsequently after flipping Vuc and selecting Bamba prior, is eating way too much crow for this FO. It also seems like a poor management of assets.

[basketballRob]

I'd hate to see Vuc go, but he deserves a chance to win a championship.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

[MagicFan101]

I'd hate to see Vuc go, but he deserves a chance to win a championship.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

I just don’t want it to be a Shaq scenario.

If it can be a win-win where we get the #2 pick and can secure “the guy we want” who turns into a young star while Vuc goes and wins a ring then sign me up.

[tiderulz]

I'd hate to see Vuc go, but he deserves a chance to win a championship.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

ive never understood this statement. Why exactly does he deserve a chance to win a championship?

[Bigmagicfan82]

I would do the trade Vuc for #2 and Wiggins. I would also do the deal if it cost us the #15 but I would prefer the first one.

Assuming we did a deal like that I would use #2 to draft James Wiseman and #15 would be either Maxey, Nesmith, Kira Lewis Jr, or Cole Anthony.

Then our lineup will be:

(Assuming Maxey at 15)

Fultz/Maxey/MCW
Wiggins/Maxey/Ross
Okeke/ Fornier/Wiggins/ Ennis
Gordon/Aminu/ Okeke
Wiseman/Bamba/Birch

(Assuming Nesmith at 15)

Fultz/FA/MCW
Wiggins/Nesmith/Ross
Okeke/ Fornier/Wiggins/ Ennis
Gordon/Aminu/ Okeke
Wiseman/Bamba/Birch

(Assuming Kira Lewis Jr at 15)

Fultz/Kira Lewis Jr/MCW
Wiggins/Ross/Iwundu
Okeke/ Fornier/Wiggins/ Ennis
Gordon/Aminu/ Okeke
Wiseman/Bamba/Birch


(Assuming Cole Anthony at 15)

Fultz/Cole Anthony/MCW
Wiggins/Ross/Cole Anthony
Okeke/ Fornier/Wiggins/ Ennis
Gordon/Aminu/ Okeke
Wiseman/Bamba/Birch


Then by next off season trade away Gordon, Aminu, and Fornier to upgrade the teams bench and draft a PF. Also JI should be back by then. then we have the framework for the new team.

(Assuming Maxey at 15)

Fultz/Maxey/MCW
Wiggins/Maxey/Ross
Okeke/ Trade/Wiggins/ Ennis
JI/Draft/ Okeke
Wiseman/Bamba/Birch

(Assuming Nesmith at 15)

Fultz/FA/MCW
Wiggins/Nesmith/Ross
Okeke/ trade/Wiggins/ Ennis
JI/draft/ Okeke
Wiseman/Bamba/Birch

(Assuming Kira Lewis Jr at 15)

Fultz/Kira Lewis Jr/MCW
Wiggins/Ross/Iwundu
Okeke/ Trade/Wiggins/ Ennis
JI/draft/ Okeke
Wiseman/Bamba/Birch


(Assuming Cole Anthony at 15)

Fultz/Cole Anthony/MCW
Wiggins/Ross/Cole Anthony
Okeke/ trade/Wiggins/ Ennis
JI/draft/ Okeke
Wiseman/Bamba/Birch


I like the framework of this team.

[VFX]

Why are people saying that trading Vuc for Wiggins + Wiseman is a good idea? We should be moving away from a big man run offense entirely. We just selected Bamba #6.

Trading for an unproven prospect on a rookie deal for a fringe all star, that does what he projects doing in an ideal outcome, seems like it misses the point of trading up in the first place.

Every time Orlando gets a top pick they spend it on a big. Infuriating. Mario Hezonja was the last modern top pick we used for someone that wasn’t a big. Before that? Oladipo. Can we learn our lesson for once?

[zaymon]

Why are people saying that trading Vuc for Wiggins + Wiseman is a good idea? We should be moving away from a big man run offense entirely. We just selected Bamba #6.

Trading for an unproven prospect on a rookie deal for a fringe all star, that does what he projects doing in an ideal outcome, seems like it misses the point of trading up in the first place.

Every time Orlando gets a top pick they spend it on a big. Infuriating. Mario Hezonja was the last modern top pick we used for someone that wasn’t a big. Before that? Oladipo. Can we learn our lesson for once?

Wiseman also seems to be exactly a type of big man you dont want in modern nba. Not smart, suspect shooting, cant pass, cant guard on the perimeter. If we aquired both Wiggins and Wiseman i would be more dissapointed than after drafting Bamba or not trading AG last summer.

[Knightro]

I would not pick Wiseman at 2 if the Magic were to acquire that pick.

I'm still undecided on who exactly I would choose in that scenario, but it would be one of Ball, Edwards, Haliburton or Hayes.

[Knightro]

We're under a month from the 2020 NBA Draft. The Magic are currently slotted in the 15th draft position.

Let's say they're unable to trade up and the following 10 players are off the board - Ball, Edwards, Wiseman, Avdija, Toppin, Hayes, Okoro, Okongwu, Haliburton, Vassell.

Give me your No. 1 target for the Magic at 15.

As it stands right now... my pick would be Josh Green.

[VFX]

Minnesota deal:
Out: AG , #15
In: Omari Spellman, James Johnson, #1
#1 Select: Edwards, Hayes, or Avdija

Golden State deal #1:
Out: AG, Evan Fournier, - (possibly need to add #15)
In: Wiggins, Paschall/Looney, #2
#2 Select: Hayes, Avdija
#15 (if kept) Select: Terry, Lewis, Maxey, Green

Deal 2 is Vuc (and maybe 15) for Wiggins and #2.
If they can keep 15, great.

[Bensational]

I think we could probably trade Bamba for another first round pick in the draft, anywhere from late lottery onwards. At this point it seems like he and Clifford aren't a good fit, so probably easier to move him and move on than to expect WeHam to move Clifford or Vuc and threaten their playoff hopes.

Surely one of Boston or New Orleans would prefer Bamba and his still raw intangibles vs the fit of some of these rookies.

We could come away with Maxey/Lewis + McDaniels/Nesmith/Bane/etc. Dual wing depth who could fit in with Vuc/Gordon/Fultz in the short term and hopefully grow to overtake them.

If we traded up to the #2 then Ball or Haliburton are the guys I'm looking at. Lonzo has shown that the Balls can transcend their reputation and become a solid team player. Haliburton is MCW with a 3pt shot and less ability to get to the line on drives (like rookie MCW was able to do).

One thing to be mindful of will be not recreating the kind of environment we had with Hennigan and all his youth who came to felt combative of each other as they fought for prominence.

This draft is too much like our Oladipo draft. The real value is going to show up in the later picks.

[BlueBlazer]

I'd take Wiseman or Haliburton at #2 and Tyrell Terry at #15.

I would be ecstatic if we walked away from this draft with Wiseman and Terry. Then depending on how Okeke pans out and JI’s recovery, we could be looking at a whole different future.

[Bensational]

I'd take the gamble on Wiggins and his contract. I'm still a sucker for little signs like his hot start in November. He was playing like a man inspired. If a team could unlock that for a full season and post season, he'd be worth that deal.

But also, if we're trading Vuc and going full youth, we could afford to absorb Wiggins contract in the short term. The reality is none of our young guys have proven to be worth a big extension yet anyway, so we should be more active in either locking them into better value deals or moving them before it reaches that point.

[MasterGMer]

How about Deni Avdija? Dude has the length and skills. If we can not decide on Wiseman and Ball with the NO.2 pick (hopefully), why not Deni Avdija?

[Knightro]

How about Deni Avdija? Dude has the length and skills. If we can not decide on Wiseman and Ball with the NO.2 pick (hopefully), why not Deni Avdija?

I'm not super sold on Avdija. I like him as a top 15-20 guy, but not as a top 5 talent. I just don't see Avdija as a player who is capable of consistently creating offense in the halfcourt in the NBA. I don't think he's quick enough or a good enough shooter off the dribble.

I do think he's a heady player who can make positive things happen in transition, hit open 3's, and pass well for his size, but I just don't see him as a shot creator 1-on-1 vs. NBA wings.

I think people are afraid of missing out on the next Doncic and Avdija just isn't anywhere close to that.

[The Real Dalic]

I'd hate to see Vuc go, but he deserves a chance to win a championship.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

ive never understood this statement. Why exactly does he deserve a chance to win a championship?

Loyalty to a team he didn't have to stay with. An All-Star that's still in his prime. One of a handful of All-Star caliber players that loves us genuinely. Only Jameer and Nick Anderson are similar to him.

He definitely deserves a chance at rings and I would cheer him on. The 4 players that have made me fans of theirs for life that are still in the league are Redick, Oladipo, Vuc, and Isaac. I wish all 4 unlimited success wherever they go.

[The Real Dalic]

I would not pick Wiseman at 2 if the Magic were to acquire that pick.

I'm still undecided on who exactly I would choose in that scenario, but it would be one of Ball, Edwards, Haliburton or Hayes.

I admit that I don't know much about this draft, but out of all of those players, the only ones that interest me are Edwards, and Wiseman. Mostly only Edwards. But I do not like Ball even a little bit. Haliburton seems to be just a shooter and nothing else from what I understand. I don't know anything about Hayes.

If we were to stay at 15 though, Patrick Williams does intrigue me a little bit. I saw him on a mock draft for us and I wouldn't mind the pick. My main issue with it is that he's yet another forward. But we will probably be moving Gordon soon anyway, and Isaac is down for the season, so it wouldn't be the worst pick.