Official Spec Thread: Regular Season

[basketballRob]

Backup PF/C is our real need now.

With the unreliability of WCJ/JI I don't think we should rely on MoeW and Goga as our psuedo starting C/Backup PF for the entire season no?

It’s going to be interesting.

Grant Williams would certainly fill that backup 4 role and provide much needed shooting that the Magic lack. He’s basically what we hoped we’d be getting out of Chuma, but is that skill set worth spending more than the MLE (13-15M AAV) to make happen?

There’s always trades as well.

We need a bouncer type player.

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[Knightro]

As of today:
Fultz/Anthony/Black
G-Harris/Suggs/Howard
F-Wagner/Bol/Houstan
Banchero/Isaac/Okeke
Carter/Bitadze

And there is approximately a zero-point-zero percent chance this is the opening night roster.

Pretty much this.

Now we just wait and see happens with Cole (trade for a PF or C?) and Gary (release? trade?) and if the Magic decide to play in free agency at all.

[eyriq]

It was a rhetorical question as there isn't a depth chart. I just found the reply nitpicking the depth chart funny given there isn't one.

[drsd]

It was a rhetorical question as there isn't a depth chart. I just found the reply nitpicking the depth chart funny given there isn't one.

If your point is that the Magic has four primary-backup PGs and no starting PG nor 3rd stringer PGs, most here would agree with you.

[JoshuaPotter]

Would love to be a fly on the head coach / general manager wall to discuss what "is" the true depth chart.

My current thought, its going to be "may the best man win" and we will continue to see some form of our "Hail Hydra" approach as we continually release "G"s out on to the court. Strike one down. Another takes their place.

[Black and Blue]

If the Magic's interest in Strus is real, can one single Orlando reporter ask why the Magic think 2nd rounders and beyond are pointless in the draft and then go trading for an undrafted player?

Honestly, as big a fan as I am of the job our owners, Weltman and Hammond have done, this is one thing they do year in and year out that seems counter to the way the best organizations do things. The Heat develop 2nd round and undrafted players better than anyone and as a result are rarely stuck with a bare cupboard at positions. Especially for a rebuilding team you'd think this level of digging in the earth for gems would be a bigger priority.

[Skybox]

Honestly, simple question ....how, in any logical way, could Weltman draft Anthony Black at #6 if he thinks Fultz is the guy going forward?

I really don't think so...whether he was BPA or not, he's here now and the conflict is unmistakeable. I think Fultz is well-liked and, maybe, respected around the league (maybe too much). That's why I think they trade him now to avoid a year-long inevitable de-throning that might detract from Black's likability and divide the locker room...if the outcome is pre-determined, rip off the band aid.

I expect ORL to progress in the win column and grow towards serious playoff power...but, we'd have to start VERRRRRY slow to match last year's debacle. Winning those early games isn't as important, in the big picture, as getting our rotation straight.

[Knightro]

Honestly, simple question ....how, in any logical way, could Weltman draft Anthony Black at #6 if he thinks Fultz is the guy going forward?

I really don't think so...whether he was BPA or not, he's here now and the conflict is unmistakeable. I think Fultz is well-liked and, maybe, respected around the league (maybe too much). That's why I think they trade him now to avoid a year-long inevitable de-throning that might detract from Black's likability and divide the locker room...if the outcome is pre-determined, rip off the band aid.

I expect ORL to progress in the win column and grow towards serious playoff power...but, we'd have to start VERRRRRY slow to match last year's debacle. Winning those early games isn't as important, in the big picture, as getting our rotation straight.

I want to believe you. I really do.

But I truly don't think Fultz is going anywhere this offseason and I'm just extremely hard pressed to envision Weltman having the guts to actually let Markelle walk away for nothing next summer. Especially if the Magic make the playoffs next year with Fultz starting 70+ games and then having to hand the position over to a 20-year-old? I dunno man.

[eyriq]

Honestly, simple question ....how, in any logical way, could Weltman draft Anthony Black at #6 if he thinks Fultz is the guy going forward?

I really don't think so...whether he was BPA or not, he's here now and the conflict is unmistakeable. I think Fultz is well-liked and, maybe, respected around the league (maybe too much). That's why I think they trade him now to avoid a year-long inevitable de-throning that might detract from Black's likability and divide the locker room...if the outcome is pre-determined, rip off the band aid.

I expect ORL to progress in the win column and grow towards serious playoff power...but, we'd have to start VERRRRRY slow to match last year's debacle. Winning those early games isn't as important, in the big picture, as getting our rotation straight.

I believe you! Can't wait to get some more info on how good Black actually is. What I have tells me he's somewhere on the Bruce Brown, Kemba Walker, SGA spectrum.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

Honestly, simple question ....how, in any logical way, could Weltman draft Anthony Black at #6 if he thinks Fultz is the guy going forward?

I really don't think so...whether he was BPA or not, he's here now and the conflict is unmistakeable. I think Fultz is well-liked and, maybe, respected around the league (maybe too much). That's why I think they trade him now to avoid a year-long inevitable de-throning that might detract from Black's likability and divide the locker room...if the outcome is pre-determined, rip off the band aid.

I expect ORL to progress in the win column and grow towards serious playoff power...but, we'd have to start VERRRRRY slow to match last year's debacle. Winning those early games isn't as important, in the big picture, as getting our rotation straight.

I want to believe you. I really do.

But I truly don't think Fultz is going anywhere this offseason and I'm just extremely hard pressed to envision Weltman having the guts to actually let Markelle walk away for nothing next summer. Especially if the Magic make the playoffs next year with Fultz starting 70+ games and then having to hand the position over to a 20-year-old? I dunno man.

That's the hope honestly and makes the most sense but like you said I don't think the FO has the balls to move him or let him test out FA. It's not like our FO hasn't given him every ounce of opportunity to show what he can do so he can't say we didn't believe in him if he tests FA.

If they don't move him now, come the deadline maybe they move him for what they can get unless we're in the actual playoffs not the play-in crap. We'll have more idea as to where we are and maybe someone will overpay for playoffs or there's an injury that benefits us (hate to say that).

We're stuck in limbo until one of Fultz/Cole/Suggs gets moved and unfortunately, I think this FO is stupid enough to play Black at SF because of size.

[RookieStar]

Backup PF/C is our real need now.

With the unreliability of WCJ/JI I don't think we should rely on MoeW and Goga as our psuedo starting C/Backup PF for the entire season no?

It’s going to be interesting.

Grant Williams would certainly fill that backup 4 role and provide much needed shooting that the Magic lack. He’s basically what we hoped we’d be getting out of Chuma, but is that skill set worth spending more than the MLE (13-15M AAV) to make happen?

There’s always trades as well.

We need a bouncer type player.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

Goga is the goon/bouncer backup C

[basketballRob]

It’s going to be interesting.

Grant Williams would certainly fill that backup 4 role and provide much needed shooting that the Magic lack. He’s basically what we hoped we’d be getting out of Chuma, but is that skill set worth spending more than the MLE (13-15M AAV) to make happen?

There’s always trades as well.

We need a bouncer type player.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

Goga is the goon/bouncer backup C

I think I've heard that some of Grant Williams' family actually are bouncers.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

[RookieStar]

Honestly, simple question ....how, in any logical way, could Weltman draft Anthony Black at #6 if he thinks Fultz is the guy going forward?

I really don't think so...whether he was BPA or not, he's here now and the conflict is unmistakeable. I think Fultz is well-liked and, maybe, respected around the league (maybe too much). That's why I think they trade him now to avoid a year-long inevitable de-throning that might detract from Black's likability and divide the locker room...if the outcome is pre-determined, rip off the band aid.

I expect ORL to progress in the win column and grow towards serious playoff power...but, we'd have to start VERRRRRY slow to match last year's debacle. Winning those early games isn't as important, in the big picture, as getting our rotation straight.

As much as I hate it, I think that unless Fultz becomes "untouchable" status, they are building im up like Vuc. You know, maximizing him and making him so desirable for a trade. If Black reaches his potential, I think WeHam imagine they can get 2 FRP for Fultz.lol

[yoyojw17]

Honestly, simple question ....how, in any logical way, could Weltman draft Anthony Black at #6 if he thinks Fultz is the guy going forward?

I really don't think so...whether he was BPA or not, he's here now and the conflict is unmistakeable. I think Fultz is well-liked and, maybe, respected around the league (maybe too much). That's why I think they trade him now to avoid a year-long inevitable de-throning that might detract from Black's likability and divide the locker room...if the outcome is pre-determined, rip off the band aid.

I expect ORL to progress in the win column and grow towards serious playoff power...but, we'd have to start VERRRRRY slow to match last year's debacle. Winning those early games isn't as important, in the big picture, as getting our rotation straight.

As much as I hate it, I think that unless Fultz becomes "untouchable" status, they are building im up like Vuc. You know, maximizing him and making him so desirable for a trade. If Black reaches his potential, I think WeHam imagine they can get 2 FRP for Fultz.lol

Agreed. You don't just let a player with potential just walk.... or just cut him for cash and space. You can look rather dumb as an organization if he goes somewhere and succeeds. And with how this board goes sometimes... if fultz was let go prematurely... they would chair cuz they got what they wanted... black blows... fultz blows up... and then they want to crucify the FO.

But at the end of the day... I want to see the best realized of all of our players... for team success and asset success.

[pepe1991]

Honestly, simple question ....how, in any logical way, could Weltman draft Anthony Black at #6 if he thinks Fultz is the guy going forward?

I really don't think so...whether he was BPA or not, he's here now and the conflict is unmistakeable. I think Fultz is well-liked and, maybe, respected around the league (maybe too much). That's why I think they trade him now to avoid a year-long inevitable de-throning that might detract from Black's likability and divide the locker room...if the outcome is pre-determined, rip off the band aid.

I expect ORL to progress in the win column and grow towards serious playoff power...but, we'd have to start VERRRRRY slow to match last year's debacle. Winning those early games isn't as important, in the big picture, as getting our rotation straight.

As much as I hate it, I think that unless Fultz becomes "untouchable" status, they are building im up like Vuc. You know, maximizing him and making him so desirable for a trade. If Black reaches his potential, I think WeHam imagine they can get 2 FRP for Fultz.lol

Vuc made allstar game twice, was best player on playoff team- twice.

In playoffs after stinker vs Raptors (champions) he averaged 28-11-4 on 50-40-90 splits against also- champions year later.

Magic got a houl for him because he was ( and still is) very good player.

Fultz on other hand.... isn't top 2 player on non playoff team.

[JBSouthpaw]

There are only 5 positions, so when you have 2 Lotto picks, you are creating competition/ questions for nearly half your starters.

[Bensational]

The projected depth chart?
PG: Fultz|Black|Suggs|MCW
SG: Harris|Cole|Houstan
SF: Franz|Jett|Kevon|Schofield
PF: Paolo|JI|Okeke
C: WCJ|Bol|Goga

It’s so hard to make a call this far out with no info on how the new and old guys are looking. Jett might be more NBA ready than Black like Franz was over Suggs, who knows?

Depth chart is one way to look at it, but staggered sub patterns is probably more valuable of getting a sense of who’s playing with who and when. Ie, one of Franz or Paolo will likely be on the court at all times bar a few minutes. Who’s on with them and when for best fit? I’m not sure yet. Got a full off-season to decide though!

[RookieStar]

Honestly, simple question ....how, in any logical way, could Weltman draft Anthony Black at #6 if he thinks Fultz is the guy going forward?

I really don't think so...whether he was BPA or not, he's here now and the conflict is unmistakeable. I think Fultz is well-liked and, maybe, respected around the league (maybe too much). That's why I think they trade him now to avoid a year-long inevitable de-throning that might detract from Black's likability and divide the locker room...if the outcome is pre-determined, rip off the band aid.

I expect ORL to progress in the win column and grow towards serious playoff power...but, we'd have to start VERRRRRY slow to match last year's debacle. Winning those early games isn't as important, in the big picture, as getting our rotation straight.

As much as I hate it, I think that unless Fultz becomes "untouchable" status, they are building im up like Vuc. You know, maximizing him and making him so desirable for a trade. If Black reaches his potential, I think WeHam imagine they can get 2 FRP for Fultz.lol

Vuc made allstar game twice, was best player on playoff team- twice.

In playoffs after stinker vs Raptors (champions) he averaged 28-11-4 on 50-40-90 splits against also- champions year later.

Magic got a houl for him because he was ( and still is) very good player.

Fultz on other hand.... isn't top 2 player on non playoff team.

That's why I said building him up. I think we were ablt to build up the value of AG and Vuc pretty well when we decided to trade them. No one expected the haul we were able to get. If Fultz becomes a serviceable PG at the LEAST this season, if we decide to trade him next season we could get a pretty good haul.

[J the Drafter]

If the Magic's interest in Strus is real, can one single Orlando reporter ask why the Magic think 2nd rounders and beyond are pointless in the draft and then go trading for an undrafted player?

Honestly, as big a fan as I am of the job our owners, Weltman and Hammond have done, this is one thing they do year in and year out that seems counter to the way the best organizations do things. The Heat develop 2nd round and undrafted players better than anyone and as a result are rarely stuck with a bare cupboard at positions. Especially for a rebuilding team you'd think this level of digging in the earth for gems would be a bigger priority.

WeltHam have been very careful to spend efficiently. All those accumulated cash considerations are likely part of this spending strategy. They must have decided that the extra money was more important than the earlier 2nd round picks.

[Bensational]

Honestly, simple question ....how, in any logical way, could Weltman draft Anthony Black at #6 if he thinks Fultz is the guy going forward?

I really don't think so...whether he was BPA or not, he's here now and the conflict is unmistakeable. I think Fultz is well-liked and, maybe, respected around the league (maybe too much). That's why I think they trade him now to avoid a year-long inevitable de-throning that might detract from Black's likability and divide the locker room...if the outcome is pre-determined, rip off the band aid.

I expect ORL to progress in the win column and grow towards serious playoff power...but, we'd have to start VERRRRRY slow to match last year's debacle. Winning those early games isn't as important, in the big picture, as getting our rotation straight.

As much as I hate it, I think that unless Fultz becomes "untouchable" status, they are building im up like Vuc. You know, maximizing him and making him so desirable for a trade. If Black reaches his potential, I think WeHam imagine they can get 2 FRP for Fultz.lol

Vuc made allstar game twice, was best player on playoff team- twice.

In playoffs after stinker vs Raptors (champions) he averaged 28-11-4 on 50-40-90 splits against also- champions year later.

Magic got a houl for him because he was ( and still is) very good player.

Fultz on other hand.... isn't top 2 player on non playoff team.

Neither is Vuc in recent years. After he was traded he lead the Bulls into the lottery as a top 2 option. The next season he was a #3 option with Lonzo at #4 and they made the playoffs. This season no Lonzo, Vuc still #3 - and he leads them back into the lottery. In fact, Fultz and the rookie Magic team were nipping at their heels for a play-in spot.

And Vuc didn’t become an all star until he was 28, which would be at the end of Fultz’s next extension.