Official 2024-2025 Magic Trade ideas thread continued

[89Magicfan]

What’s the odds that Philly unloads Maxey?

[Skybox]

Cam Johnson is the best player available, but he doesn’t really fit. Do you just add the best available player and let things work themselves out? Brooklyn was reportedly wanted 2 first round picks.

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1) Cam fits on 29 other teams better than ORL with two likely all-stars under 24 at the forward spots...you could always work him in, but...why?
2) Cam makes $22m...that's another KCP...if BRK wanted to swap talented, but overpaid role players - I'm down. Otherwise - it's too much.
3) BRK awful situation has made Cam look like a star. Like I said a few posts ago, if BRK (in it's present state) was so desperate and excitable that they threw bucks to steal Moe and gave him a lot of PT...he'd put up 20 ppg too...while they lose, like they do with the Cam & Cam fireworks show.

IF Weltman was dead set on Cam and traded Cole, Jett, Gary etc and 2 frps...I'd grudgingly get behind it as a fan of the on-court potential, but I'd really hope he knows a lot better than me how the fit would work (zero playmaking sniper) and has a next step to account for the fact that he'd be moving out our few expirings for MORE guaranteed salary just as the extensions hit...guaranteed apron problem.

Cam's been a solid, but forgettable player since he was drafted, as an upperclassman, way higher than expected and delivered more than expected. He wasn't any kind of standout early, just surprising to most that he WAS a good pick at that spot...then, he just stabilized. Was included in the Bridges trade in the same way that we would move KCP (useful player, nice matching salary, not negative - perhaps neutral value). Got to BRK and, as the last decent offensive player after the decision to tank hard, he "exploded" for 18.8ppg

I have similar, but lesser concerns about Coby White, who could've been had for srps for most of his mediocre career, but really turned it up for the last 2 years and is now, no surprise, a year away from a big payday. I have more faith in Coby because his game is a lot more diverse than Cam's.

The KCP parallel is pretty good, I think - they have very different profiles, but...very good secondary player, questionable deal - too much, but not nuts depending on your team's roster balance/payroll, etc. Solid add for a contender or someone getting serious about advancing in the playoffs. He won't carry the team there, but he's a nice add.

Doesn't make sense for us, unless it's KCP and, I guess, #25...it'd be much better if it was KCP & srps, but I don't see why BRK would do that as a bottom-feeder can sell more seats to watch scorers than defenders at this stage of their rebuild. Cole might actually be fun in BRK as a lively, funny, sometimes electrifying tank commander on an expiring deal...but, again, Weltman will have to find savings elsewhere then.

I hope it's not, but it COULD be Moe.

[Knightro]

Right, so no changes to the roster unless they add picks or AB to deals with overpriced role players.

It’s not like there are a bunch of lateral moves they can make with the mediocre players under contract.

So you are saying they will either do nothing willingly or they have to find extremely specific trade scenarios because they won’t go into the first apron. They’ll be in it next season regardless once they pay Paolo. Not sure why that matters for one season.

No?

The Magic are going into this offseason over the cap no matter what they do with their team options, so any trades they make have to be close in salary regardless.

But the reason why they're almost certainly going to decline Mortiz and Gary to duck under the first apron is so they have MORE flexibility for trades, not less.

If they're over the first apron, they are restricted to only being able to take back 100% of the salary they are sending out, plus $0. So the salary incoming has to be less or exact.

So if they send out $30M in salary, they have to bring back exactly $30M or less in return.

If they're below the apron, they can take back 125% of the salary + 100K.

So if they send out $30M in salary, they can bring back $37.6M in salary in return (125% + 100K).

Once they've made the deals they want to make, then I think you could see them potentially exceed the first apron to resign somebody like Moritz.

Also if they duck completely under the tax, they will have access to the full MLE which starts at $14.1M instead of the taxpayer mid level which starts at only $5.6M.

[Skybox]

What’s the odds that Philly unloads Maxey?

You could make a narrative that adds up (I did it previously)...but I really don't see it.

McCain could be made available but his salary is so low (and PHI doesn't really have any decent salary filler to add).

I guess the scenario is that PHI FO feels, secretly, that McCain can do most of what Maxey can do for a fraction of the salary, so Maxey's high-profile, high salary could bring back a boatload of ready-to-win talent AND picks...since they're stuck with PG and Embiid, I don't think there's any thought of tearing it down...but Maxey is a massive value asset.

I'd do Suggs in a second (although I'd obviously love to have them both) and, honestly, you'd have to at least think about Franz...they're in the same stratosphere. I think outside of Orlando, most would consider Maxey more of a star than Franz. Not sure I would.

IF PHI was going to blow it up, we'd probably have to take PG with Maxey or even McCain. PG's deal is in Beal territory, but even longer term...however, IF PG can play, let's not forget how good he is....PG/McCain might be worth hitting the trade machine but it'd probably be way outside of Weltman's risk radius (and I can't disagree)...if PG just rehabs, our ascendance stalls hard and expensively.

[Knightro]

Long story short, the best way to maximize flexibility to improve this roster via trades and signings is to decline Moritz and Gary and go into all trade negotiations and potential free agent negotiations under the aprons and out of the tax completely.

They can always resign Moritz later in the summer to whatever contract they want to give him since they have his full bird rights.

[Skybox]

Right, so no changes to the roster unless they add picks or AB to deals with overpriced role players.

It’s not like there are a bunch of lateral moves they can make with the mediocre players under contract.

So you are saying they will either do nothing willingly or they have to find extremely specific trade scenarios because they won’t go into the first apron. They’ll be in it next season regardless once they pay Paolo. Not sure why that matters for one season.

No?

The Magic are going into this offseason over the cap no matter what they do with their team options, so any trades they make have to be close in salary regardless.

But the reason why they're almost certainly going to decline Mortiz and Gary to duck under the first apron is so they have MORE flexibility for trades, not less.

If they're over the first apron, they are restricted to only being able to take back 100% of the salary they are sending out, plus $0. So the salary incoming has to be less or exact.

So if they send out $30M in salary, they have to bring back exactly $30M or less in return.

If they're below the apron, they can take back 125% of the salary + 100K.

So if they send out $30M in salary, they can bring back $37.6M in salary in return (125% + 100K).

Once they've made the deals they want to make, then I think you could see them potentially exceed the first apron to resign somebody like Moritz.

Also if they duck completely under the tax, they will have access to the full MLE which starts at $14.1M instead of the taxpayer mid level which starts at only $5.6M.

I can think of NO scenario where it makes sense to simply exercise Moe's TO...your point here about the flexibility to work is the most significant, whether ORL ultimately gives him a pay cut, a pay raise, or lets him walk.

My bet is just what you described...followed by a new deal for multiple years at a lesser salary...ideally, another 1+TO, but that's kind of pushing hard on a guy we love. I'd really respect Weltman if he got that done though. It's not unreasonable, it just seems unlikely for Weltman to treat "family" that firmly...unemotionally, it's the right move...I'll say $27m over 3 years, steeply descending with the 3rd year a TO. It's important not to underestimate the value of money up front to a player.

[BadMofoPimp]

What’s the odds that Philly unloads Maxey?

Slim to none.

[eyriq]

The Magic showed their hand last offseason with the dollars. Looking at 2024-25 commitments, the investment broke down like this:
* Moritz: 1 year, $11M guaranteed.
* WCJ: 3-year extension, $59M guaranteed (roughly $60M over 4 years with current salary).
* Goga: 3 years, $25M guaranteed.
* JI: 4-year extension, $48M guaranteed at this point with injury clauses.
Follow the cash. Priorities are clear. Mo Wagner was never a big one. Now throw in that ACL? Makes you wonder.

[RichCollab]

I see Moe back. Other TO players won’t be unless they sign for minimum.

Let’s be honest though this is the offseason that improvement will come from internal development and players getting and staying healthy.

KCP
JI
WCJ
Goga

Are the players that have to garner some kind of interest and combined with picks to bring in new players. We aren’t getting premium talent.

Cole will be included to match incoming salary to make a trade and Jett is a token throw in like RJ Hampton was for us.

AB may get a return but his current salary and potential seems like a lose lose for us unless it’s him and Cole or KCP for premium talent.

[Magic_Johnny12]

What’s the odds that Philly unloads Maxey?

What are the odds Philly unloads their only young star player locked into a longterm contract to compound their issues even further relying on two older veterans currently on two of the worst contracts in the league?

[89Magicfan]

What’s the odds that Philly unloads Maxey?

What are the odds Philly unloads their only young star player locked into a longterm contract to compound their issues even further relying on two older veterans currently on two of the worst contracts in the league?

Good point.

[SK21209]

Lakers fan here, is there a Reaves for Suggs trade that makes sense for both sides? Lakers would need to add additional salary and would probably ask about Goga too. I think Reaves would do really well in Orlando next to Paolo and Franz and in a solid defensive ecosystem.

[Knightro]

Lakers fan here, is there a Reaves for Suggs trade that makes sense for both sides? Lakers would need to add additional salary and would probably ask about Goga too. I think Reaves would do really well in Orlando next to Paolo and Franz and in a solid defensive ecosystem.

A lot of fans would be totally against this, but I'd have to at least think about it.

Suggs + Bitadze for Reaves + Hachimura + Vincent and no picks involved?

[89Magicfan]

Lakers fan here, is there a Reaves for Suggs trade that makes sense for both sides? Lakers would need to add additional salary and would probably ask about Goga too. I think Reaves would do really well in Orlando next to Paolo and Franz and in a solid defensive ecosystem.

I’m trading Suggs if I’m getting a Trae Young like player back.

Paring him with a PG is ideal but if we have to trade him he’s our best piece and in that deal we’d still be without a PG.

[VFX]

Lakers fan here, is there a Reaves for Suggs trade that makes sense for both sides? Lakers would need to add additional salary and would probably ask about Goga too. I think Reaves would do really well in Orlando next to Paolo and Franz and in a solid defensive ecosystem.

The problem is that Austin Reaves offense isn’t as good as Suggs defense. Reaves is also 4 years older.

Ideally Orlando would want to pair Suggs with Reaves to balance their back court. They wouldn’t change their identity entirely to accommodate Reaves.

Hypothetically, if you are adding Goga with Suggs for a Reaves deal… what else could the Lakers even add value wise? Gabe Vincent isn’t enough and I have Orlando with more value at that point.

[Skybox]

What’s the odds that Philly unloads Maxey?

What are the odds Philly unloads their only young star player locked into a longterm contract to compound their issues even further relying on two older veterans currently on two of the worst contracts in the league?

I think the theory (unknown to some ORL fans) is that they would actually get a LOT back for Maxey...and they have McCain on-deck.

Not every trade (or really any trade in the real world) is based "Who do we want to be rid of?"

[Skybox]

Lakers fan here, is there a Reaves for Suggs trade that makes sense for both sides? Lakers would need to add additional salary and would probably ask about Goga too. I think Reaves would do really well in Orlando next to Paolo and Franz and in a solid defensive ecosystem.

The problem is that Austin Reaves offense isn’t as good as Suggs defense. Reaves is also 4 years older.

Ideally Orlando would want to pair Suggs with Reaves to balance their back court. They wouldn’t change their identity entirely to accommodate Reaves.

Hypothetically, if you are adding Goga with Suggs for a Reaves deal… what else could the Lakers even add value wise? Gabe Vincent isn’t enough and I have Orlando with more value at that point.

Agree... I think Suggs is more valuable than Reaves, but Reaves is more valuable than Goga. Additionally, when Reaves gets his next payday based on his offensive stats - he'll only get less valuable, imo.

Don't read me wrong, I'm a big fan of Reaves, especially for ORL, It's just kind of tough to gauge his value vs hype when his defense is so lacking and his next deal is unknown. I could see KCP bringing much of the same performance as Suggs to LAL, without the long-term upside, which is not necessarily LAL's prime objective...I could see something with Goga & KCP for Reaves and whatever filler LAL has laying around....

ORL sends: KCP, Goga, #25
LAL sends: Reaves, Vincent, Kleber
I actually really like Vincent...if you subbed in Vanderbilt for Vincent or Kleber (who is expiring), ORL keeps the pick?

[Skybox]

coincidentally...just bouncing this around on the general board...

LAL sends: Knecht, Vincent
LAL gets: Goga Bitadze, Jett Howard

ORL sends: KCP, #16 & #46, Jett Howard
ORL gets: Sexton, Knecht, Vincent

UTA sends: Sexton
UTA gets: KCP, #16 & #46


*Will either Raynaud or Wolf be there at #25?
WCJ, Raynaud, Moe-DL for now
Paolo, Isaac, Caleb
Franz, Knecht, TdS
Suggs, AB, Knecht
Sexton, Vincent, Cole

[89Magicfan]

coincidentally...just bouncing this around on the general board...

LAL sends: Knecht, Vincent
LAL gets: Goga Bitadze, Jett Howard

ORL sends: KCP, #16 & #46, Jett Howard
ORL gets: Sexton, Knecht, Vincent

UTA sends: Sexton
UTA gets: KCP, #16 & #46


*Will either Raynaud or Wolf be there at #25?
WCJ, Raynaud, Moe-DL for now
Paolo, Isaac, Caleb
Franz, Knecht, TdS
Suggs, AB, Knecht
Sexton, Vincent, Cole

Don’t like it. Don’t hate it.


Idk…Sexton…I get it but I’m just meh about him.

[cedric76]

Lakers fan here, is there a Reaves for Suggs trade that makes sense for both sides? Lakers would need to add additional salary and would probably ask about Goga too. I think Reaves would do really well in Orlando next to Paolo and Franz and in a solid defensive ecosystem.

No thx