Official Spec Thread: I guess now's the time to blow this dumpster fire up and bask in the glow!

[The Real Dalic]

As far as Fultz and JI are concerned, I'm starting to think they are not part of the magic's plan moving forward..I kinda think if Clifford was told that Fultz and JI where definitely going to be part of the future, having known the type of players they are, Cliff might have stayed.. also, when they were added to the team, it was primarily based on how they would fit with vuc evan and ag.

While I, like most of you, want them to remain with the team, I'm starting to have my doubts.

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They gave them considerable contracts (in terms of injury risk) and then said they aren't part of the plan?

On top of that, they both didn't fit AG at all. Maybe Evan and Vuc since they can both shoot. But Evan was just a role player. I think they fit more now than ever.

I also think the moves at the deadline were not only to get worse and try to get a top pick in the draft, but also to allow Fultz and Isaac to be more central figures on the team with no more Vuc, Evan, and AG here. We can then see what we have in them when there's no one else to defer to and we can make adjustments from there. That doesn't mean if they don't turn into All-Stars that we just trade them, it would just mean we would need others to build around.

But I personally have a tough time finding players that Isaac, in particular, would be a bad fit with. He's a pretty good mid-range shooter and an at least okay 3pt shooter while being a DPOY level defender. He's also decent around the basket. No reason to move on from him unless we're getting some good pieces back.

[Dub_Sax]

As far as Fultz and JI are concerned, I'm starting to think they are not part of the magic's plan moving forward..I kinda think if Clifford was told that Fultz and JI where definitely going to be part of the future, having known the type of players they are, Cliff might have stayed.. also, when they were added to the team, it was primarily based on how they would fit with vuc evan and ag.

While I, like most of you, want them to remain with the team, I'm starting to have my doubts.

Sent from my SM-G955U using RealGM mobile app

They gave them considerable contracts (in terms of injury risk) and then said they aren't part of the plan?

On top of that, they both didn't fit AG at all. Maybe Evan and Vuc since they can both shoot. But Evan was just a role player. I think they fit more now than ever.

I also think the moves at the deadline were not only to get worse and try to get a top pick in the draft, but also to allow Fultz and Isaac to be more central figures on the team with no more Vuc, Evan, and AG here. We can then see what we have in them when there's no one else to defer to and we can make adjustments from there. That doesn't mean if they don't turn into All-Stars that we just trade them, it would just mean we would need others to build around.

But I personally have a tough time finding players that Isaac, in particular, would be a bad fit with. He's a pretty good mid-range shooter and an at least okay 3pt shooter while being a DPOY level defender. He's also decent around the basket. No reason to move on from him unless we're getting some good pieces back.

We as fans, might not have thought that AG fit w/JI, but I believe the magic absolutely thought they would fit.
Although, they may not have played together that much, the magic believed there SL would be (for better or worse):
Fultz
Evan
AG
Isaac
Vuc

with 3/5th no longer on the roster, I guess the question becomes how much does Weltman want to blow it up and start from scratch.

And to your last point, I believe NOW they are more willing to entertain the idea of "What can we get in return for JI?"

[SOUL]

Fultz's contract isn't that long, so I think they want to see if/what he does when he recovers, but I think Isaac is in the plans as long as he stays healthy.

Of course, any rebuilding team is going to gauge interest of any and all players that aren't stars, and we currently have 0.

[Bensational]

Why would anybody be fan of a players just because their favorite team signs them?

Why exactly is Orlando your favourite franchise? What have they done, especially recently, that makes you favour them over all other teams?

Genuine question, not stirring. I find myself questioning this a lot lately, in regards to myself, too.

Since we started rebuilding almost a decade ago, I found the draft and scouting for prospects much more enjoyable than I do following the actual team. And because I’ve become more invested in the draft, I grow attached to a lot of players who never end up on ‘my team’.

I actually think this draft is going to have a big sway on how invested I remain with the Magic. I’d rather get back to enjoying the game rather than being constantly frustrated by it. The team’s choices are out of my hands, but my choices aren’t. If some of the prospects I’m high on end up elsewhere, and I like the look of that team, I’ll be watching a lot more of those games next season. If Kuminga and Bouknight/Moody end up here, I’ll likely be watching a lot fewer games.

Have you ever thought of changing teams? Really doesn’t seem like the Magic give you much reason to stick around. Seems like they mostly bring out a lot of negativity in you. Doesn’t seem healthy. This is coming from someone who might be in a similar boat, too.

and i'm fine with rebuild direction.

Lol, c’mon now. Maybe you’ve accepted the rebuild direction, but you haven’t said anything that sounds like you’re fine with it.

[Dub_Sax]

Fultz's contract isn't that long, so I think they want to see if/what he does when he recovers, but I think Isaac is in the plans as long as he stays healthy.

Of course, any rebuilding team is going to gauge interest of any and all players that aren't stars, and we currently have 0.

Currently, zero.. but is there a "chance" any of the following could be a star?

JI?
RJ?
Fultz?
Cole?
Chuma?
5th pick?
8th pick?

Interested to see how the Weltman rebuild goes compared to Henny's. Admittedly, Weltman is starting out with more young talent, but the question is how will he manage it?

[basketballRob]

Fultz's contract isn't that long, so I think they want to see if/what he does when he recovers, but I think Isaac is in the plans as long as he stays healthy.

Of course, any rebuilding team is going to gauge interest of any and all players that aren't stars, and we currently have 0.

Currently, zero.. but is there a "chance" any of the following could be a star?

JI?
RJ?
Fultz?
Cole?
Chuma?
5th pick?
8th pick?

Interested to see how the Weltman rebuild goes compared to Henny's. Admittedly, Weltman is starting out with more young talent, but the question is how will he manage it?

I'd say potentially 3-4 allstars in that group.

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[Dub_Sax]

Fultz's contract isn't that long, so I think they want to see if/what he does when he recovers, but I think Isaac is in the plans as long as he stays healthy.

Of course, any rebuilding team is going to gauge interest of any and all players that aren't stars, and we currently have 0.

Currently, zero.. but is there a "chance" any of the following could be a star?

JI?
RJ?
Fultz?
Cole?
Chuma?
5th pick?
8th pick?

Interested to see how the Weltman rebuild goes compared to Henny's. Admittedly, Weltman is starting out with more young talent, but the question is how will he manage it?

I'd say potentially 3-4 allstars in that group.

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Perhaps, and hopefully Weltman keeps the ones that are and move the ones that aren't? It'll be tough. With all the posters on this board, I don't think any two would agree on the exact names and number of players that would become a star.

[pepe1991]

Why would anybody be fan of a players just because their favorite team signs them?

Why exactly is Orlando your favourite franchise? What have they done, especially recently, that makes you favour them over all other teams?

Genuine question, not stirring. I find myself questioning this a lot lately, in regards to myself, too.

Since we started rebuilding almost a decade ago, I found the draft and scouting for prospects much more enjoyable than I do following the actual team. And because I’ve become more invested in the draft, I grow attached to a lot of players who never end up on ‘my team’.

I actually think this draft is going to have a big sway on how invested I remain with the Magic. I’d rather get back to enjoying the game rather than being constantly frustrated by it. The team’s choices are out of my hands, but my choices aren’t. If some of the prospects I’m high on end up elsewhere, and I like the look of that team, I’ll be watching a lot more of those games next season. If Kuminga and Bouknight/Moody end up here, I’ll likely be watching a lot fewer games.

Have you ever thought of changing teams? Really doesn’t seem like the Magic give you much reason to stick around. Seems like they mostly bring out a lot of negativity in you. Doesn’t seem healthy. This is coming from someone who might be in a similar boat, too.

and i'm fine with rebuild direction.

Lol, c’mon now. Maybe you’ve accepted the rebuild direction, but you haven’t said anything that sounds like you’re fine with it.

Bro all my favorite teams piss me off, including national teams. Maybe it's just cultural thing. Only reason why i'm always pissed off about teams i like is because- i like them. If they don't give me any emotional investments, i wouldn't cheer for them. It's f***ed up really.

For example, my favorite soccer team is local one. They went from division one, to political and economy froad to division 3. Basically falling to amateur level. Still, since it's close to my home, i went through and watched lot of those games. They went to division 2. Three years in a row they were losing qualifications for division 1.
And they were just going to f*** it up for 4th year straight but due Covid 19 in 2020 league was stopped , and they were automatically promoted in tear 1. Imagine waiting for that s*** for 9 years , on s***y statuim, watching s***y players just to finally get it... but without fans, on green table


And as for national team, as being from Croatia, they won last medal in basketball when i was 4 years old. In soccer i was 7 when they won bronze on world cup. Pretty much 20 years of missery, heartbreaks , poor coaches ,wasting talent to finally get it together in 2018.
I'm fine with being Magic fan, knowing most of the time they will piss me off. But maybe, one day, day will come when they do their swan song, their 2018 Raptors season ,their 2021 Suns season.
But it probably means in mean time, i'll be grumpy most of the time

I find joy watching playoffs withou Magic but after few games i kind a lose interest. I find joy watching soccer, but after few months without national team or my favoirte team, i lose interest. So yea, those few teams actually keep my interest in sport all together. Despite pissing me off. As long as they provide emotion in me, i'll be their fan.

[pepe1991]

Fultz's contract isn't that long, so I think they want to see if/what he does when he recovers, but I think Isaac is in the plans as long as he stays healthy.

Of course, any rebuilding team is going to gauge interest of any and all players that aren't stars, and we currently have 0.

Fultz contract is favorable one. HE will either improve jumpshot and get his 3rd option or be 2 years $30M player that will probably never be considered starting PG again.

Isaac's contract is head scratching one.
4 years contract for player that failed to play basketball for esencially 2 calendar years , post ACL tear . His year 1 of contract will probably be waste. He will be rusty and team will be bad.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

Fultz's contract isn't that long, so I think they want to see if/what he does when he recovers, but I think Isaac is in the plans as long as he stays healthy.

Of course, any rebuilding team is going to gauge interest of any and all players that aren't stars, and we currently have 0.

Fultz contract is favorable one. HE will either improve jumpshot and get his 3rd option or be 2 years $30M player that will probably never be considered starting PG again.

Isaac's contract is head scratching one.
4 years contract for player that failed to play basketball for esencially 2 calendar years , post ACL tear . His year 1 of contract will probably be waste. He will be rusty and team will be bad.

they absolutely gambled on Isaac staying healthy whereas the Fultz deal is a 2 year show me you can play.

I honestly think RJ & Cole have a higher ceiling than Fultz + RJ or Cole. I just don't see Fultz becoming a respectable shooter. He's a more athletic, smarter IQ type player basically an EP 2.0.

[thelead]

With the Cade/Green dream likely being dead, I’ve moved on to next year’s draft. Jaden Hardy will be a player to keep an eye on.

Watch on YouTube

[PrimeThyme]

Based on the contract we gave him, && how Weltman still raves about him, I think it’s fairly obvious that they view Isaac as a core piece.

Make no mistake, if Isaac never amounts to anything due to injury, this rebuild becomes quite a bit harder.

Fultz is a non factor. I haven’t and wouldn’t consider him a long term piece. I don’t think Weltman does either.

[thelead]

Based on the contract we gave him, && how Weltman still raves about him, I think it’s fairly obvious that they view Isaac as a core piece.

Make no mistake, if Isaac never amounts to anything due to injury, this rebuild becomes quite a bit harder.

Fultz is a non factor. I haven’t and wouldn’t consider him a long term piece. I don’t think Weltman does either.

Fultz is a lotto ticket. I think that drafting Cole and trading RJ speaks volumes.

IF Fultz regains his shot, which is a big IF at this point, he has star potential. But I don't think Weltman is banking on it which is why Cole and RJ are on the roster.

[89Magicfan]

With the Cade/Green dream likely being dead, I’ve moved on to next year’s draft. Jaden Hardy will be a player to keep an eye on.

Watch on YouTube

Don’t do this to yourself

[Knightro]

Fultz contract is favorable one. HE will either improve jumpshot and get his 3rd option or be 2 years $30M player that will probably never be considered starting PG again.

Isaac's contract is head scratching one.
4 years contract for player that failed to play basketball for esencially 2 calendar years , post ACL tear . His year 1 of contract will probably be waste. He will be rusty and team will be bad.

At least Isaac has shown that he can actually play and contribute to winning when he's healthy. The Magic were better in 18-19 and 19-20 when he was on the court.

Fultz has had struggles with staying healthy *and* he really hasn't been very good when he has played.

Health is the ultimate equalizer, but Isaac is clearly the better of the two players when they're actually on the court.

[thelead]

With the Cade/Green dream likely being dead, I’ve moved on to next year’s draft. Jaden Hardy will be a player to keep an eye on.

Watch on YouTube

Don’t do this to yourself

Until we get a star, we'll need to be in search for one. I have very little faith in finding one at 5 and 8 unfortunately.

[89Magicfan]

With the Cade/Green dream likely being dead, I’ve moved on to next year’s draft. Jaden Hardy will be a player to keep an eye on.

Watch on YouTube

Don’t do this to yourself

Until we get a star, we'll need to be in search for one. I have very little faith in finding one at 5 and 8 unfortunately.

Lol I have very little faith we will be in position to draft one. EVER.

[jezzerinho]

In the Trades forum someone was asking what NO could get for Ingram.

Would you do Isaac and Ross?

I know JI is a great defensive player, he's young and a good guy. But between injuries and the relative value of a defensive big versus an offensive wing/creator, i think it'd be worth pulling the trigger.

Isaac would fit great with Zion and Ross would give back some scoring. We'd FINALLY get a great young SF.

[j-ragg]

In the Trades forum someone was asking what NO could get for Ingram.

Would you do Isaac and Ross?

I know JI is a great defensive player, he's young and a good guy. But between injuries and the relative value of a defensive big versus an offensive wing/creator, i think it'd be worth pulling the trigger.

Isaac would fit great with Zion and Ross would give back some scoring. We'd FINALLY get a great young SF.

In a heartbeat. Doubt most would do this on the Magic board or on Magic Twitter, but Ingram’s value right now far outweighs Isaac’s imo.

[thelead]

In the Trades forum someone was asking what NO could get for Ingram.

Would you do Isaac and Ross?

I know JI is a great defensive player, he's young and a good guy. But between injuries and the relative value of a defensive big versus an offensive wing/creator, i think it'd be worth pulling the trigger.

Isaac would fit great with Zion and Ross would give back some scoring. We'd FINALLY get a great young SF.

In a heartbeat. Doubt most would do this on the Magic board or on Magic Twitter, but Ingram’s value right now far outweighs Isaac’s imo.

That's a tough one but I think that I would say no. Not that I don't like Ingram but he is not a #1 option. I would rather gamble on JI's health as he is an absolute game changer when healthy. And if he's not healthy, we won't win meaningless games without him. I would worry about being stuck in mediocrity ala the Vuc era with Ingram.