Official 2024-2025 Magic Trade ideas thread continued

[Skybox]

As much as I would like to upgrade at C, we have other major needs to address before replacing Wendell. We have to address this guard situation before anything else. Its starts and ends with improving our backcourt right now. Unless some miraculous trade comes out of nowhere, I expect Wendell back next year.

If his million dollar brain can't ponder two or more positions at once...yet another reason to ax him. No reason in the world why we can't address two positions at once...in whatever order the cap and opportunities present themselves. Ideally, we can find a trade that addresses both, like...
Kessler/Sexton
McCollum/Missi (if NOLA ended up with Maluach draft)
Poeltl/Quickley
Maluach pick/Coby White
Claxton/DLo
etc

These arent' necessarily realistic, but worth exploring first...especially if we're sending out guaranteed salaries.

IF I could only do one thing - definitely backcourt

I have the feeling that Mccollum still has 3-4 years in him. His brother is putting up great stats in Europe. He's 37

https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/players/errick-mccollum-1.html

Yeah...he's a high skill guy...He's not jumping over dudes. Should age well. He'll be knocking down 3's when he's got a walker....good head on his shoulders too. I'd really like him-he's not a nut, but he also won't take any crap from the young stars...he's got the on-court credibility that makes it possible to be more than just a wise mentor (like, say, Jingles or CoJo).

[OrlandoDream]

I don’t necessarily disagree at all.

The idea is that Orlando has 3 backup Centers and can go without one of them in a trade. They also have two draft picks in a relatively heavy Center draft.

They don’t have many other assets to utilize outside of Cole, Carter/Goga, KCP, and the smallest possibility of moving AB. I’m saying the value just isn’t there if you take a lot off the table to match salary for one of these back court guys they desperately need.

Weltman should be able to address multiple issues.

I don't see AB as safe as most fans think. If he is the piece Chicago wants for Coby White, then you ship him out. He has shown spurts but nothing to consider not hesitating to trade him.

The JI regression has been a big wrench in the engine. I don't think any of us expected him to go down in quality this much after looking like such an important piece last year in the playoffs. HIs value is at an all time low where it might be best to hold on to him. Goga and Wendell have showcased moments this year so they prob hold more value around the league.

From the bigs, the spare guards and picks we have a lot of different directions to go this offseason. Time for Weltman to show off his experience and connections in the NBA. For the first time in his tenure here, he is now expected to make moves.

We trade for White then we can t resign him next season.
The maximum extension we could offer must start at 140 percent of the final year of White's current contract. With him making $12.8 million next season, this means we would have to present him with something that is right under the $18.0 million a year range which will be FAR less that what he could get on the open market (many teams will have cap money to spent that summer)?

So trading for white would be VEry short sighted
This is why my target is colin Sexton

I was not aware of this 140% max we could offer. Why would we be restricted to that amount vs opposing teams able to offer more?

EDIT: Just read up on rules and looks like we can renegotiate his last year contract and offer him more for the extension. Although this would limit our cap going forward with the other 3 contracts, its possible.

[OrlandoDream]

I don’t necessarily disagree at all.

The idea is that Orlando has 3 backup Centers and can go without one of them in a trade. They also have two draft picks in a relatively heavy Center draft.

They don’t have many other assets to utilize outside of Cole, Carter/Goga, KCP, and the smallest possibility of moving AB. I’m saying the value just isn’t there if you take a lot off the table to match salary for one of these back court guys they desperately need.

Weltman should be able to address multiple issues.

I don't see AB as safe as most fans think. If he is the piece Chicago wants for Coby White, then you ship him out. He has shown spurts but nothing to consider not hesitating to trade him.

The JI regression has been a big wrench in the engine. I don't think any of us expected him to go down in quality this much after looking like such an important piece last year in the playoffs. HIs value is at an all time low where it might be best to hold on to him. Goga and Wendell have showcased moments this year so they prob hold more value around the league.

From the bigs, the spare guards and picks we have a lot of different directions to go this offseason. Time for Weltman to show off his experience and connections in the NBA. For the first time in his tenure here, he is now expected to make moves.

I think Black will be slightly better than White, but for the next couple of seasons White will be better. White is similar to Cole.

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At this point in their career its just insulin to compare Coby White to Cole. Coby White is the ceiling Cole wishes he could be one day. I agree that AB will be a good rotation player when he becomes more complete in the future. I just don't know how much patience were gonna have when we need help now for our trio.

[cedric76]

I don't see AB as safe as most fans think. If he is the piece Chicago wants for Coby White, then you ship him out. He has shown spurts but nothing to consider not hesitating to trade him.

The JI regression has been a big wrench in the engine. I don't think any of us expected him to go down in quality this much after looking like such an important piece last year in the playoffs. HIs value is at an all time low where it might be best to hold on to him. Goga and Wendell have showcased moments this year so they prob hold more value around the league.

From the bigs, the spare guards and picks we have a lot of different directions to go this offseason. Time for Weltman to show off his experience and connections in the NBA. For the first time in his tenure here, he is now expected to make moves.

We trade for White then we can t resign him next season.
The maximum extension we could offer must start at 140 percent of the final year of White's current contract. With him making $12.8 million next season, this means we would have to present him with something that is right under the $18.0 million a year range which will be FAR less that what he could get on the open market (many teams will have cap money to spent that summer)?

So trading for white would be VEry short sighted
This is why my target is colin Sexton

I was not aware of this 140% max we could offer. Why would we be restricted to that amount vs opposing teams able to offer more?

EDIT: Just read up on rules and looks like we can renegotiate his last year contract and offer him more for the extension. Although this would limit our cap going forward with the other 3 contracts, its possible.

Same rule that prevented lal to offer reaves a contract higher than teams that had cap space

[pepe1991]

That’s happened while having an elite offense has seemingly become more important to winning a title. Out of the last nine champions, only two teams didn’t have a top-five offense (the 2020 Los Angeles Lakers and the 2022 Warriors). From 2005-15, five of 11 champions had a top-five offense, while seven had a top-five defense. Just four of the last nine champions have had a top-five defense. Even if we expand the focus a little bit, the NBA’s final four teams have had a higher-ranked offense, on average, than defense in five of the last seven seasons. These are all slight differences, of course. There has been no significant change that has completely devalued defense in winning a championship. The three leading title favorites this season — the Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers — all have top-eight defenses, and the Thunder have the most dominant defense the NBA has seen in a long time.
– via New York Times

This is from The Athletic article (payed one) titled:
"Mavericks GM Nico Harrison insists defense wins championships. But is this still true? "

Basically, writer pretty much drives home conclusion that you can kiss goodby your championship hopes with crappy offense.

[drsd]

Basically, writer pretty much drives home conclusion that you can kiss goodby your championship hopes with crappy offense.

Average offense and elite defense can contend. But Orlando is quite far from average.

Frankly it is a miracle that "Worst 3pt shooting team since 2015-16" even made the playoffs.

p.s. Orlando's late-season shooting push means that the 2024/25 Magic was better than the 2015-16 Lakers;
and "thus" only the worst in the last 9 years instead of worst in last 20. (( Is this anything )).

[Skybox]

Turmoil in DEN & MEM...
#1...
DEN sends: Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr, 2 frps
DEN gets: Ja Morant, KCP, Brandon Clarke
Why: Give Jokic and new coach/GM some win-now hope and vet toughness at the cost of frps

MEM sends: Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke
MEM gets: Michael Porter, Anthony Black, Tristan da Silva, 2 frps from DEN, DEN 25 frp from ORL
Why: Restructure with youth, but not a total breakdown, lots of picks for next move, Pippen & Wells move up, MPJ gets green light next to Edey & JJJ

ORL sends: KCP, Anthony Black, Tristan da Silva, DEN 25 frp (#25)
ORL gets: Jamal Murray
Why: ORL buys low on the right kind of high-scoring PG to play off of Paolo & Franz frontcourt at huge salary & significant risk of decline.

#2...
ORL sends: Jonathan Isaac, #46
MIL sends: Bobby Portis (SnT $15m x 3yr)
Why MIL: Portis is leaving for MLE, MIL makes a deal to bet on Isaac's D and a srp-Portis gets the raise he wants and MIL doesn't get zero for him

#3...
ORL sends: Cole Anthony, Jett Howard, ORL 26 frp (Top 5)
TOR sends: Jakob Poeltl, Gradey Dick (or Ochai Ogbaji, if TOR prefers)
Why TOR: Draft Maluach. WCJ fills in competently at C, but can also play PF next to Maluach. Jett is simply an expiring chip for TD. TOR can spare Ogbaji or Dick because they also have Ja'Kobe Walter and RJ Barrett available at SG. They prefer sending Dick as Ogbaji is the better defender and higher % from 3, despite Dick's higher volume. Ogbaji better complements Ingram's player profile at SF.

ORL drafts Liam McNeely at #16 and Tyrese Proctor at #57

Poeltl, Goga, Moe
Paolo, Portis
Franz, McNeely, Houstan
Suggs, Dick, Queen
Murray, CoJo, Proctor (or some vet, Proctor to G League)

[basketballRob]

McCollum makes sense for us. He's almost a 20 ppg player. I hate dealing with Dumars, tho. He took the Magic to the cleaners a couple of times. We traded Ben Wallace and Chucky Atkins for Grant Hill. Wallace was one of the pillars for a championship team.

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[Skybox]

Who they might draft, depending on lottery ,and who they might then be redundant and tradable (to ORL)...

-WAS drafts Dylan Harper ...makes AJ Johnson a luxury after Bub. Poole is a whole different topic-he's available regardless.
-NOLA drafts Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey or Knueppel...makes Herb Jones expendable after Trey Murphy, too much of a good thing
-NOLA drafts Maluach...maybe they trade Missi for a more versatile young vet big, like WCJ
-TOR drafts Maluach...same, Poeltl
-UTA drafts Maluach...same, Kessler (about to get extended in a year-Maluach has more physical upside)
-CHA drafts Maluach...same, Mark Williams (injury risk, due an extension-shouldn't be too much, Paolo's running mate at Duke)
-PHI drafts Harper...maybe that springs McCain for strength at another position and/or picks
...obviously, many more possibilities, depending on how draft lottery shakes out.

[basketballRob]

We need to turn KCP, Jett, and Cole into Portis, Mccollum, and Clayton Jr. next season.

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[BadMofoPimp]

I am sure once McCollum would be traded, he becomes a part time half as good as he used to be type player.

[three3d]

Who they might draft, depending on lottery ,and who they might then be redundant and tradable (to ORL)...

-WAS drafts Dylan Harper ...makes AJ Johnson a luxury after Bub. Poole is a whole different topic-he's available regardless.
-NOLA drafts Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey or Knueppel...makes Herb Jones expendable after Trey Murphy, too much of a good thing
-NOLA drafts Maluach...maybe they trade Missi for a more versatile young vet big, like WCJ
-TOR drafts Maluach...same, Poeltl
-UTA drafts Maluach...same, Kessler (about to get extended in a year-Maluach has more physical upside)
-CHA drafts Maluach...same, Mark Williams (injury risk, due an extension-shouldn't be too much, Paolo's running mate at Duke)
-PHI drafts Harper...maybe that springs McCain for strength at another position and/or picks
...obviously, many more possibilities, depending on how draft lottery shakes out.

We’ve got three MASSIVE holes to fill at point guard, shooting guard, and center now. All three of those positions need a new starter ( Suggs has to stay healthy) it honestly feels like now we have finished this season with more questions than we did last season.

[Skybox]

Who they might draft, depending on lottery ,and who they might then be redundant and tradable (to ORL)...

-WAS drafts Dylan Harper ...makes AJ Johnson a luxury after Bub. Poole is a whole different topic-he's available regardless.
-NOLA drafts Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey or Knueppel...makes Herb Jones expendable after Trey Murphy, too much of a good thing
-NOLA drafts Maluach...maybe they trade Missi for a more versatile young vet big, like WCJ
-TOR drafts Maluach...same, Poeltl
-UTA drafts Maluach...same, Kessler (about to get extended in a year-Maluach has more physical upside)
-CHA drafts Maluach...same, Mark Williams (injury risk, due an extension-shouldn't be too much, Paolo's running mate at Duke)
-PHI drafts Harper...maybe that springs McCain for strength at another position and/or picks
...obviously, many more possibilities, depending on how draft lottery shakes out.

We’ve got three MASSIVE holes to fill at point guard, shooting guard, and center now. All three of those positions need a new starter ( Suggs has to stay healthy) it honestly feels like now we have finished this season with more questions than we did last season.

um...OK, do you see what I'm trying to do? Find guys that fill our needs by identifying guys that, maybe, weren't available but might become trade candidates based on their team drafting younger, cheaper, maybe better replacements.

The General Trade Board is starting to show more people being conscious or worried (rightfully) about the CBA and it's effect on teams over the cap...really good players might be creeping towards negative value if they're overpaid. Teams like MEM, who have 3 guys (when JJJ gets maxed) who are at or near max salary...the three of them will eat up around 75% of the salary cap THEMSELVES. ORL isn't that bad, because Suggs' big salary is frontloaded, which (rare credit to Weltman) is a really smart move with Paolo's max coming in hot. My point is a very good rookie might be more valuable to a team with financial concerns than a great vet making a ton. Opportunity knocking...especially if we can move out marginally good but heavy salary guys like KCP, Isaac, and WCJ (only due to his pending extension)...even replacing a middling Goga ($9m) with a vet min guy that can throw a few fouls, grab a few boards, and set a few picks is a righteous move.

See any similar types of opportunities that might come up at the draft. Pick is made - start dialing!

[three3d]

Who they might draft, depending on lottery ,and who they might then be redundant and tradable (to ORL)...

-WAS drafts Dylan Harper ...makes AJ Johnson a luxury after Bub. Poole is a whole different topic-he's available regardless.
-NOLA drafts Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey or Knueppel...makes Herb Jones expendable after Trey Murphy, too much of a good thing
-NOLA drafts Maluach...maybe they trade Missi for a more versatile young vet big, like WCJ
-TOR drafts Maluach...same, Poeltl
-UTA drafts Maluach...same, Kessler (about to get extended in a year-Maluach has more physical upside)
-CHA drafts Maluach...same, Mark Williams (injury risk, due an extension-shouldn't be too much, Paolo's running mate at Duke)
-PHI drafts Harper...maybe that springs McCain for strength at another position and/or picks
...obviously, many more possibilities, depending on how draft lottery shakes out.

We’ve got three MASSIVE holes to fill at point guard, shooting guard, and center now. All three of those positions need a new starter ( Suggs has to stay healthy) it honestly feels like now we have finished this season with more questions than we did last season.

um...OK, do you see what I'm trying to do? Find guys that fill our needs by identifying guys that, maybe, weren't available but might become trade candidates based on their team drafting younger, cheaper, maybe better replacements.

The General Trade Board is starting to show more people being conscious or worried (rightfully) about the CBA and it's effect on teams over the cap...really good players might be creeping towards negative value if they're overpaid. Teams like MEM, who have 3 guys (when JJJ gets maxed) who are at or near max salary...the three of them will eat up around 75% of the salary cap THEMSELVES. ORL isn't that bad, because Suggs' big salary is frontloaded, which (rare credit to Weltman) is a really smart move with Paolo's max coming in hot. My point is a very good rookie might be more valuable to a team with financial concerns than a great vet making a ton. Opportunity knocking...especially if we can move out marginally good but heavy salary guys like KCP, Isaac, and WCJ (only due to his pending extension)...even replacing a middling Goga ($9m) with a vet min guy that can throw a few fouls, grab a few boards, and set a few picks is a righteous move.

See any similar types of opportunities that might come up at the draft. Pick is made - start dialing!

I haven’t read everything to catch up but i agree with what you’re saying. GG Jackson from Memphis could become a cap casualty and he’s had his moments where he’s definitely looked good. He’s an interested in one to follow.

[Skybox]

We’ve got three MASSIVE holes to fill at point guard, shooting guard, and center now. All three of those positions need a new starter ( Suggs has to stay healthy) it honestly feels like now we have finished this season with more questions than we did last season.

um...OK, do you see what I'm trying to do? Find guys that fill our needs by identifying guys that, maybe, weren't available but might become trade candidates based on their team drafting younger, cheaper, maybe better replacements.

The General Trade Board is starting to show more people being conscious or worried (rightfully) about the CBA and it's effect on teams over the cap...really good players might be creeping towards negative value if they're overpaid. Teams like MEM, who have 3 guys (when JJJ gets maxed) who are at or near max salary...the three of them will eat up around 75% of the salary cap THEMSELVES. ORL isn't that bad, because Suggs' big salary is frontloaded, which (rare credit to Weltman) is a really smart move with Paolo's max coming in hot. My point is a very good rookie might be more valuable to a team with financial concerns than a great vet making a ton. Opportunity knocking...especially if we can move out marginally good but heavy salary guys like KCP, Isaac, and WCJ (only due to his pending extension)...even replacing a middling Goga ($9m) with a vet min guy that can throw a few fouls, grab a few boards, and set a few picks is a righteous move.

See any similar types of opportunities that might come up at the draft. Pick is made - start dialing!

I haven’t read everything to catch up but i agree with what you’re saying. GG Jackson from Memphis could become a cap casualty and he’s had his moments where he’s definitely looked good. He’s an interested in one to follow.

Exactly...I like that guy. They were saying that he had as much upside as anyone in that draft, based on skills and physicals, but he had to put it all together. I'd be happy unloading a guy like Isaac, who's reputation is presently a lot better than his actual play, and his big salary and taking a swing with a guy like that. To my knowledge, he hasn't really developed any continuity yet- but has had some jaw-dropping flashes.

We certainly have reason to question Mose's Xs and Os, but he's definitely got the love of players around the league...He's got that "Dad" thing that a player trying to find himself might really click with. We need to weaponize Mose's charisma and patience.

[thelead]

Read on Twitter

[VFX]

Can't wait for McCollum to retire so I can stop hearing his name on the forum.

The good news is that it'll be in 1-2 years.

[Bensational]

Read on Twitter

Woah, hadn’t even considered that. Very interesting.

*edit: I wonder if some kind of Dame/Ja multi-team trade could happen? Bucks are gonna want another star guard back in some form because they won’t have picks to rebuild until 2030

[thelead]

Read on Twitter

Woah, hadn’t even considered that. Very interesting.

*edit: I wonder if some kind of Dame/Ja multi-team trade could happen? Bucks are gonna want another star guard back in some form because they won’t have picks to rebuild until 2030

Dame will be 35 next season and will be earning $54 mil next season and $58 the year after. It would take a lot of contracts to get to his number and I don't see us giving up an asset like 21 year old AB for 35 year old Dame coming off the concerning blood clot too.

To match his salary, we would have to send out something like KCP, WCJ, Cole, Jett, and Gary just for Dame alone

[basketballRob]

Read on Twitter

Woah, hadn’t even considered that. Very interesting.

*edit: I wonder if some kind of Dame/Ja multi-team trade could happen? Bucks are gonna want another star guard back in some form because they won’t have picks to rebuild until 2030

Dame will be 35 next season and will be earning $54 mil next season and $58 the year after. It would take a lot of contracts to get to his number and I don't see us giving up an asset like 21 year old AB for 35 year old Dame coming off the concerning blood clot too.

To match his salary, we would have to send out something like KCP, WCJ, Cole, Jett, and Gary just for Dame alone

The reason I suggested Mccollum is I thought he could be our Mike Conley. Conley is 37 and has 1 more season at $10m. So he was CJs age when traded to Minnesota, and he'll end up playing 4 years for them

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