What's next?

[zaymon]

Salary cap max is 134 M
I would trade or unguaranteed Fultz contract. He is geting beat by Cole Anthony even as a playmaker.
I would retain or extend Gary Harris to similar deal.
I would propably trade our frp(if it lands around 5) and draft Gradey Dick, Howard, Murray or Hendricks with bulls pick or ours if it ends outside top 5.
I would target FVV. Ideally by trading Fultz (doubt Masai wants him).
I would sign Kevon Harris and propably Admiral Schofield to minimums. I would target g league/international/vetaran bruiser

13 players(current players on contracts minus Fultz)+ pick+ Kevon+ Admiral=thats around 96M. I would sign FVV for around 30M. That would leave us with 8 M for some veteran big man.

FVV/Anthony/Kevon
Harris/Suggs/Houstan
Wagner/Okeke/Dick (or maybe here admiral and Hendricks/Murray PF)
Banchero/Isaac/Admiral
WCJ/Wagner/veteran

what would you be looking for in return for trading that #5ish pick?

and Harris has a team option for next year. he is here if we want him

I traded #5 with no return and we still look decent Its hard to tell what could be our potential target. Too much for most players, not enough for impact player. Our need is PG, especially if we cant get FVV. If its not possible we could start Suggs at 1 and trade for a wing. A lot of outcomes will depend how deep some teams will go into the playoffs.

[Ralof]

We,'d have everything to put on the table in a blockbuster trade.

Young Pieces,picks,salary cap to absorb bad contracts.

No One should be untouchable,we Need desperately all star talent After all these years

If the chance does not concretize until draft night, pick the two prospect with most upside and run It again next season,After you traded Cole Anthony(,that Will ask for Money and/or starting Role).

[Skybox]

I think you've got to start with cutting bait on Fultz. It's not only a matter of how good he is or isn't...that contract ($17m)is just way too much for what he is and projects to be. Sadly, when some team picks him up for next to nothing, he'll be a really solid acquisition in a more limited role. He has gone from a steal of a salvage move to an overpaid, untradeable, not quite complete enough albatross.

TRoss gone. RJ gone. Bamba's deal already gone. Bol, on his present deal, is certainly worth keeping around and wondering what else he might be, but only because it's so cheap at the moment. GHarris is on a great deal and sticks around but we don't hesitate to release him if there's a legit FA signing just waiting for him money. That would be bigger and bolder than I expect WeHam to go. M. Wagner might be tough to keep - I like having him, but he can't get much of a raise and, ideally, he loses a LOT of minutes to a healthy Isaac. Isaac's defensive impact, even as a versatile 3rd big, is worth betting on. One of Suggs or Cole move into the SL, but it's all about their relative progress and whoever we make our big move for and what spot they play in the backcourt. I really hope Houstan earns himself a move up in the rotation over the rest of this season...his skillset, if it becomes more pronounced, is what we could really use. This is a pretty straightforward direction, assuming FVV would welcome the opportunity to run a young team.

FVV/Cole
Suggs/K. George/Houstan
Franz/J. Howard or G. Dick/Okeke
Banchero/Isaac/Bol
WCJ/M. Wagner

My preference would be much more dramatic...renounce Fultz, bye Ross, RJ
(1)draft Scoot Henderson (2) trade Cole, some cap space, CHI 23, ORL 24(top 2) & DEN pick for Mikal Bridges (3)sign a big body vet C

Scoot/Suggs/ 2nd round PG
Bridges/GHarris/Houstan
Franz/Bol/Okeke
Banchero/Isaac
WCJ/M. Wagner/vet Goon

[Knightro]

I think another factor with Fultz is the fact that he already makes $17M and he's gonna be 25 going into his age 26 season when he gets his next contract.

You're fooling yourself if you think he's gonna be A-OK with taking less money than he makes now. He's gonna want a raise.

[pepe1991]

i have sneaky fear that Weltman and Hammond will actually exstend him for like 4 years, $100M

[Knightro]

i have sneaky fear that Weltman and Hammond will actually exstend him for like 4 years, $100M

My fears have grown exponentially that the front office is going to let it ride and not be as aggressive as they need to be to turn this thing from nice story to actual contender.

[VFX]

I think another factor with Fultz is the fact that he already makes $17M and he's gonna be 25 going into his age 26 season when he gets his next contract.

You're fooling yourself if you think he's gonna be A-OK with taking less money than he makes now. He's gonna want a raise.

They will undoubtedly do this and it will 100% be a mistake.

Magic media love Markelle despite the fact that he doesn't fit next to Paolo and Wagner whatsoever.

It was the same thing with AG. Guy was the face of the franchise despite being pedestrian when it mattered most and was overpaid for contributing to winning basketball. His fit also sucked next to Vucevic and JI.

If you think I'm critical now of Markelle, just wait until he's making $100m real starters money.

[eyriq]

i have sneaky fear that Weltman and Hammond will actually exstend him for like 4 years, $100M

One thing about running it back with Fultz is that he's still got some upside left in him. Plus I find his game aesthetically pleasing to watch. Like, he just looks like a really good PG to me.

But it's a clear area for an upgrade and it would be negligent to run it back without exploring upgrade options.

[Knightro]

One thing about running it back with Fultz is that he's still got some upside left in him. Plus I find his game aesthetically pleasing to watch. Like, he just looks like a really good PG to me.

But it's a clear area for an upgrade and it would be negligent to run it back without exploring upgrade options.

I'm not entirely sure he does?

Like I get that he hasn't *played* a lot, but he's been in the NBA for six years and the things he struggled with as a rookie he still pretty much struggles with to this day.

He's a nice story and a great guy, but I just don't see a lot of untapped potential there. He's a high end backup/low end starter and I don't really see that changing too much.

[RookieStar]

i have sneaky fear that Weltman and Hammond will actually exstend him for like 4 years, $100M

One thing about running it back with Fultz is that he's still got some upside left in him. Plus I find his game aesthetically pleasing to watch. Like, he just looks like a really good PG to me.

But it's a clear area for an upgrade and it would be negligent to run it back without exploring upgrade options.

Agree with this.. except for that lack of 3pt shot, he is everything I want in a PG. Big, high BBIQ, ball handler, slasher, etc

[eyriq]

One thing about running it back with Fultz is that he's still got some upside left in him. Plus I find his game aesthetically pleasing to watch. Like, he just looks like a really good PG to me.

But it's a clear area for an upgrade and it would be negligent to run it back without exploring upgrade options.

I'm not entirely sure he does?

Like I get that he hasn't *played* a lot, but he's been in the NBA for six years and the things he struggled with as a rookie he still pretty much struggles with to this day.

He's a nice story and a great guy, but I just don't see a lot of untapped potential there. He's a high end backup/low end starter and I don't really see that changing too much.

I don't think he'll capitalize on his upside but at only 24 and considering his limited reps he has clear markings of an upside player.

[eyriq]

I'm going to try putting this in perspective.

Team Building Framework:
Building through the draft

Framework Phases
1. Drafting and player acquisition
2. Player development
3. Building the roster
4. Contending for playoff spots
5. Championship contention

What phase are we in? We thought we were still in the drafting and player acquisition phase going into the season, right? Somehow now we think we are in the building the roster phase. I don't know if we should skip a step. Running it back allows us to get a solid year in on player development, and would imply we clear opportunity for our incoming lottery picks. It's tempting.

Edit: with a focus on development you prioritize playing time for players like Franz, Paolo, Suggs, Bol, Cole, Caleb, Okeke, rook 1, and rook 2. I guess this isn't quite rolling it back.

[Bergmaniac]

i have sneaky fear that Weltman and Hammond will actually exstend him for like 4 years, $100M

One thing about running it back with Fultz is that he's still got some upside left in him. Plus I find his game aesthetically pleasing to watch. Like, he just looks like a really good PG to me.

But it's a clear area for an upgrade and it would be negligent to run it back without exploring upgrade options.

Agree with this.. except for that lack of 3pt shot, he is everything I want in a PG. Big, high BBIQ, ball handler, slasher, etc

He is nowhere near good enough as a passer to be everything I want in a PG even with a 3 point shot.

[Flannerz]

I can't see much happening this summer and it will come back to bite us. We wont' be aggressive enough in the trade market and they'll wait for free agency next year. Unfortunately you don't get many big free agents these days, they get traded if they're not going to re-sign.

[drsd]

I'm going to try putting this in perspective.

Team Building Framework:
Building through the draft

Framework Phases
1. Drafting and player acquisition
2. Player development
3. Building the roster
4. Contending for playoff spots
5. Championship contention

What phase are we in? We thought we were still in the drafting and player acquisition phase going into the season, right? Somehow now we think we are in the building the roster phase. I don't know if we should skip a step. Running it back allows us to get a solid year in on player development, and would imply we clear opportunity for our incoming lottery picks. It's tempting.

Edit: with a focus on development you prioritize playing time for players like Franz, Paolo, Bol, Cole, Caleb, Okeke, rook 1, and rook 2. I guess this isn't quite rolling it back.

The Magic is solidly at mid-3 of your list. And I am afraid the team might be stuck, perhaps out of fear of failure.
It is my view that the Magic will get to 4 simply by improvements to the young players. But 5 cannot happen without a revamp of the SG rotation core, which can only happen through consolidation moves.


,.

[eyriq]

I'm going to try putting this in perspective.

Team Building Framework:
Building through the draft

Framework Phases
1. Drafting and player acquisition
2. Player development
3. Building the roster
4. Contending for playoff spots
5. Championship contention

What phase are we in? We thought we were still in the drafting and player acquisition phase going into the season, right? Somehow now we think we are in the building the roster phase. I don't know if we should skip a step. Running it back allows us to get a solid year in on player development, and would imply we clear opportunity for our incoming lottery picks. It's tempting.

Edit: with a focus on development you prioritize playing time for players like Franz, Paolo, Bol, Cole, Caleb, Okeke, rook 1, and rook 2. I guess this isn't quite rolling it back.

The Magic is solidly at mid-3 of your list. And I am afraid the team might be stuck, perhaps out of fear of failure.
It is my view that the Magic will get to 4 simply by improvements to the young players. But 5 cannot happen without a revamp of the SG rotation core, which can only happen through consolidation moves.


,.

There are so many ways to think about the roster. Great draft capital this year, likely two lottery picks. Good, young starters in WCJ, Isaac, and Fultz. Best young duo in the league in Franz and Paolo. Interesting projects in Suggs, Bol, Caleb, and Okeke. Cole developing into a sparkplug. Solid role players in Gary Harris and Moe Wagner. I don't think we are in the team building phase and yet the ability is there thanks to a STUD rook, a STUD soph, solid development from our draft picks and good starters/role players. I still like OPs plan the best but I can go in a lot of directions.

[RookieStar]

One thing about running it back with Fultz is that he's still got some upside left in him. Plus I find his game aesthetically pleasing to watch. Like, he just looks like a really good PG to me.

But it's a clear area for an upgrade and it would be negligent to run it back without exploring upgrade options.

Agree with this.. except for that lack of 3pt shot, he is everything I want in a PG. Big, high BBIQ, ball handler, slasher, etc

He is nowhere near good enough as a passer to be everything I want in a PG even with a 3 point shot.

What kind of passer do you want? HOFER luke Nash Stockton Kidd? Or the flashy ones like J.Williams?

He is more than good enough as a passer in the PG spot.

[VFX]

Agree with this.. except for that lack of 3pt shot, he is everything I want in a PG. Big, high BBIQ, ball handler, slasher, etc

He is nowhere near good enough as a passer to be everything I want in a PG even with a 3 point shot.

What kind of passer do you want? HOFER luke Nash Stockton Kidd? Or the flashy ones like J.Williams?

He is more than good enough as a passer in the PG spot.

One thing about FVV is that he is top 15 in assist numbers.

Obviously I would want someone like Haliburton who is #1 in assist leaders.

For comparison Garland (#6), Conley (#7), Smart (#10), Holiday (#11), FVV (#15). Fultz is #35, which is pretty poor for a starting point.

He averages 5 a game. In comparison, Haliburton averages 10.5 and someone like Conley averages 8. Westbrook, for as bad as he’s been this season from 3 averages 8.

[zaymon]

He is nowhere near good enough as a passer to be everything I want in a PG even with a 3 point shot.

What kind of passer do you want? HOFER luke Nash Stockton Kidd? Or the flashy ones like J.Williams?

He is more than good enough as a passer in the PG spot.

One thing about FVV is that he is top 15 in assist numbers.

Obviously I would want someone like Haliburton who is #1 in assist leaders.

For comparison Garland (#6), Conley (#7), Smart (#10), Holiday (#11), FVV (#15). Fultz is #35, which is pretty poor for a starting point.

He averages 5 a game. In comparison, Haliburton averages 10.5 and someone like Conley averages 8. Westbrook, for as bad as he’s been this season from 3 averages 8.

I dont know why people think Fultz is a good passer. He is average in pnr, bad in transition, his assist number in pedestrian. He is overall worse passer than Cole Anthony which tells a lot.

[SOUL]

.

I feel like raw assists numbers aren't a great way to tell who is a good passer or not because a lot of it relies on outside factors. Fultz seems average but makes several nice plays a game. The issue is that his lack of outside shot makes it inherently more difficult to make certain passes if they're sticking with their guys.