Official 2025 Offseason Thread

[eyriq]

This idea that KCP can’t come off the bench is pretty silly to me. If there’s a better option to start and he isn’t involved in the trade, he absolutely can come off the bench.

It's not like he’s gonna get paid less.

It's extremely suboptimal and a symptom of a bad build. You want your bench players making <10%.

[RookieStar]

This idea that KCP can’t come off the bench is pretty silly to me. If there’s a better option to start and he isn’t involved in the trade, he absolutely can come off the bench.

It's not like he’s gonna get paid less.

yeah.. if we have a better option to pair with Suggs, Im all for KCP to the bench

[Knightro]

This idea that KCP can’t come off the bench is pretty silly to me. If there’s a better option to start and he isn’t involved in the trade, he absolutely can come off the bench.

It's not like he’s gonna get paid less.

It's extremely suboptimal and a symptom of a bad build. You want your bench players making <10%.

Oh well.

Sometimes you have to make adjustments.

[Idiosyncratic]

Who would be the ideal guard to pair with AB off the bench? Microwave type, spot up 3 point shooter or a pure PG and let AB cut off ball and shoot corner 3s?

Certainly is possible they keep Caldwell-Pope, but if he was moved for a different starting guard, would think they could look at the bargain FA's or Goga swaps for AB's partner off the bench. Or it might just be Cole right.... Inevitable player.

[eyriq]

Who would be the ideal guard to pair with AB off the bench? Microwave type, spot up 3 point shooter or a pure PG and let AB cut off ball and shoot corner 3s?

Certainly is possible they keep Caldwell-Pope, but if he was moved for a different starting guard, would think they could look at the bargain FA's or Goga swaps for AB's partner off the bench. Or it might just be Cole right.... Inevitable player.

AB already gives us elite point-of-attack defense and a 6'7 secondary creator who has quietly hit on >38% of his threes since the all-star break. What the second unit still needs is
1. high-volume spacing (attempt rate not just percentage)
2. Someone who can chew up usage in spurts so AB isn't forced into tough pull-ups
3. Enough defense to allow small ball lineups

This translates into a microwave + quick-trigger hybrid, not a pure setup PG. You want AB handling against second units, attacking second sides and cutting from the slot; surround him with a guard whose single greatest skill is getting threes up. Beasley, Melton, or Merrill come to mind.

[Idiosyncratic]

Who would be the ideal guard to pair with AB off the bench? Microwave type, spot up 3 point shooter or a pure PG and let AB cut off ball and shoot corner 3s?

Certainly is possible they keep Caldwell-Pope, but if he was moved for a different starting guard, would think they could look at the bargain FA's or Goga swaps for AB's partner off the bench. Or it might just be Cole right.... Inevitable player.

AB already gives us elite point-of-attack defense and a 6'7 secondary creator who has quietly hit on >38% of his threes since the all-star break. What the second unit still needs is
1. high-volume spacing (attempt rate not just percentage)
2. Someone who can chew up usage in spurts so AB isn't forced into tough pull-ups
3. Enough defense to allow small ball lineups

This translates into a microwave + quick-trigger hybrid, not a pure setup PG. You want AB handling against second units, attacking second sides and cutting from the slot; surround him with a guard whose single greatest skill is getting threes up. Beasley, Melton, or Merrill come to mind.

I actually think AB's versatility makes it so all of these archetypes can fit with him. Just not sure which will turn out the best. I do hope they keep giving him playmaking duties with the 2nd unit, he was showing a lot earlier in the season in that role. Averaged 4 assists a game off the bench the 1st two months when we looked like a decent team and IMO made some very high level passes. Just waned in that role as the season went on and Mose started defaulting more to Cole and then eventually played AB as a wing. I like him off ball too, but there will be time to do that when he gets minutes with starters.

Melton would be a no-brainer for me if we could get him. I don't see why a bunch of contenders won't be going for him in free agency though. Many I would be happy with, just hope it is a non-Cole fresh face.

[Skybox]

Who would be the ideal guard to pair with AB off the bench? Microwave type, spot up 3 point shooter or a pure PG and let AB cut off ball and shoot corner 3s?

Certainly is possible they keep Caldwell-Pope, but if he was moved for a different starting guard, would think they could look at the bargain FA's or Goga swaps for AB's partner off the bench. Or it might just be Cole right.... Inevitable player.

AB already gives us elite point-of-attack defense and a 6'7 secondary creator who has quietly hit on >38% of his threes since the all-star break. What the second unit still needs is
1. high-volume spacing (attempt rate not just percentage)
2. Someone who can chew up usage in spurts so AB isn't forced into tough pull-ups
3. Enough defense to allow small ball lineups

This translates into a microwave + quick-trigger hybrid, not a pure setup PG. You want AB handling against second units, attacking second sides and cutting from the slot; surround him with a guard whose single greatest skill is getting threes up. Beasley, Melton, or Merrill come to mind.

How about your own excellent suggestion...Bogdonavic? Great shooter, vet wisdom and BBIQ, solid partnership with AB.

[Skybox]

I started throwing trades around with LAL and found Gabe Vincent as salary matching ...he might actually be a really nice add...wouldn't he be a more offensively explosive version of CoJo?

Goga's salary is close enough...although I think LAL owes a little something.

If Reaves is off limits, I'd say:

ORL sends: Goga, Jett
LAL sends: Vincent, Knecht

By itself, it's pretty "around the margins", but if we already made another deal to upgrade C, with the idea being to have WCJ off the bench at 4/5, it'd be a nice way to send out Goga for useful guys...

KCP, Cole, 2 frps to CHI, for ...Vuc, Coby

or

KCP, frp to TOR , for ...Poeltl

or

KCP, mult. frps to UTA, for Sexton, Kessler

[eyriq]

Who would be the ideal guard to pair with AB off the bench? Microwave type, spot up 3 point shooter or a pure PG and let AB cut off ball and shoot corner 3s?

Certainly is possible they keep Caldwell-Pope, but if he was moved for a different starting guard, would think they could look at the bargain FA's or Goga swaps for AB's partner off the bench. Or it might just be Cole right.... Inevitable player.

AB already gives us elite point-of-attack defense and a 6'7 secondary creator who has quietly hit on >38% of his threes since the all-star break. What the second unit still needs is
1. high-volume spacing (attempt rate not just percentage)
2. Someone who can chew up usage in spurts so AB isn't forced into tough pull-ups
3. Enough defense to allow small ball lineups

This translates into a microwave + quick-trigger hybrid, not a pure setup PG. You want AB handling against second units, attacking second sides and cutting from the slot; surround him with a guard whose single greatest skill is getting threes up. Beasley, Melton, or Merrill come to mind.

How about your own excellent suggestion...Bogdonavic? Great shooter, vet wisdom and BBIQ, solid partnership with AB.

Yeah, this was the springboard for that trade idea.

[Redick07]

I started throwing trades around with LAL and found Gabe Vincent as salary matching ...he might actually be a really nice add...wouldn't he be a more offensively explosive version of CoJo?

Goga's salary is close enough...although I think LAL owes a little something.

If Reaves is off limits, I'd say:

ORL sends: Goga, Jett
LAL sends: Vincent, Knecht

By itself, it's pretty "around the margins", but if we already made another deal to upgrade C, with the idea being to have WCJ off the bench at 4/5, it'd be a nice way to send out Goga for useful guys...

KCP, Cole, 2 frps to CHI, for ...Vuc, Coby

or

KCP, frp to TOR , for ...Poeltl

or

KCP, mult. frps to UTA, for Sexton, Kessler

Gabe Vincent is another KCP, even a weaker KCP.
Knecht is another Jett or TDS.
Why we need them? Do you really think the below roster is better than now?

Black/Cole/CoJo
Suggs/KCP/Vincent
Franz/TDS/Knecht
Paolo/Isaac
WCJ/MoW

What if WCJ, MoW and Isaac get injured again?
You have 6 backcourt players but only one player in PF and C? Do you really want to see the below roster?

PG: Black/Cole/CoJo
SG: Suggs/Vincent
SF: KCP/Knecht
PF: Franz/TDS
C: Paolo

What a ridiculous roster…

[BadMofoPimp]

I started throwing trades around with LAL and found Gabe Vincent as salary matching ...he might actually be a really nice add...wouldn't he be a more offensively explosive version of CoJo?

Goga's salary is close enough...although I think LAL owes a little something.

If Reaves is off limits, I'd say:

ORL sends: Goga, Jett
LAL sends: Vincent, Knecht

By itself, it's pretty "around the margins", but if we already made another deal to upgrade C, with the idea being to have WCJ off the bench at 4/5, it'd be a nice way to send out Goga for useful guys...

KCP, Cole, 2 frps to CHI, for ...Vuc, Coby

or

KCP, frp to TOR , for ...Poeltl

or

KCP, mult. frps to UTA, for Sexton, Kessler

I like the Goga for Vincent/Knect trade. This could work for both teams. Vincent is underrated.

I know the Bulls been looking for 2 1sts for Coby so I think that deal could work but doubt the Bulls would take back KCP's remaining years of contract. Would have to involve a 3rd team and some 2nds for another team to take him. Would love to see Coby and Vooch on this team. Would have a glut of guards tho.

Doubt Utah or Toronto has any need for KCP or his contract.

[Skybox]

I started throwing trades around with LAL and found Gabe Vincent as salary matching ...he might actually be a really nice add...wouldn't he be a more offensively explosive version of CoJo?

Goga's salary is close enough...although I think LAL owes a little something.

If Reaves is off limits, I'd say:

ORL sends: Goga, Jett
LAL sends: Vincent, Knecht

By itself, it's pretty "around the margins", but if we already made another deal to upgrade C, with the idea being to have WCJ off the bench at 4/5, it'd be a nice way to send out Goga for useful guys...

KCP, Cole, 2 frps to CHI, for ...Vuc, Coby

or

KCP, frp to TOR , for ...Poeltl

or

KCP, mult. frps to UTA, for Sexton, Kessler

I like the Goga for Vincent/Knect trade. This could work for both teams. Vincent is underrated.

I know the Bulls been looking for 2 1sts for Coby so I think that deal could work but doubt the Bulls would take back KCP's remaining years of contract. Would have to involve a 3rd team and some 2nds for another team to take him. Would love to see Coby and Vooch on this team. Would have a glut of guards tho.

Doubt Utah or Toronto has any need for KCP or his contract.

As much as I want to get rid of KCP...I really DO feel like he could help a good team (a team that doesn't already have similar guys)...maybe I'm rationalizing, but I could see TOR or POR benefitting from his experience, tough influence and 3&D support of their young guards (same idea we had). I agree that UTA is too far from competing, but...(1) I could see Ainge having a follow-up trade, flipping him and/or (2) It could be in conjunction with other trades for more of a pivot towards competing. ..always a 3-way. I started a "who wants KCP" thread just for that...I could see KCP in BOS, MIL, DEN, LAL, LAC, MIA...

[Skybox]

In a very brief summary, what I want this offseason, is to hear gasps, oohs and aaahs when at least one ORL trade is announced during the draft....followed by the better commentators saying things like "Here comes ORL", "Weltman said they were going for it and this certainly reflects that", etc

The Eastern Conference next season will be won by the GM who has the best summer...it's wide open.

[Skybox]

"Brief" is proving to be impossible for me

For example of above...IF ORL were to somehow mortgage their future and much of their depth, but come out of it with Jarrett Allen and Derrick White, we could be Eastern Conference favorites coming out of the summer.

WCJ as reserve 4/5
Isaac slimmed-down and angry
Healthy fired up Suggs
Well-rested Franz after a summer off from national team, spent largely with 3pt shooting coach
Smart, inexpensive role players to replace overpaid, overqualified bench players
Somehow upgrade offensive Coaching, maybe some kind of "consultant" or full-blown assistant, embraced by Mose

Costly, risky...not impossible.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

In a very brief summary, what I want this offseason, is to hear gasps, oohs and aaahs when at least one ORL trade is announced during the draft....followed by the better commentators saying things like "Here comes ORL", "Weltman said they were going for it and this certainly reflects that", etc

The Eastern Conference next season will be won by the GM who has the best summer...it's wide open.

got one cooked up for you skybox..

Orlando Trades to Cleveland- WCJ, 16 & Black
Orlando Receives - Allen

It's pretty obvious that garland needs a bigger guard next to him for the defensive help. WCJ still gives the cavs a playable C who can stretch the floor and then 16 is a cherry.

Orlando now has the C for the future and a defensive anchor for Mose's defense. You still have plenty other options to go get a Simons, Sexton type guard using Goga/Cole/Gary/ 26 pick swap and possibly Isaac if needed.

[Skybox]

In a very brief summary, what I want this offseason, is to hear gasps, oohs and aaahs when at least one ORL trade is announced during the draft....followed by the better commentators saying things like "Here comes ORL", "Weltman said they were going for it and this certainly reflects that", etc

The Eastern Conference next season will be won by the GM who has the best summer...it's wide open.

got one cooked up for you skybox..

Orlando Trades to Cleveland- WCJ, 16 & Black
Orlando Receives - Allen

It's pretty obvious that garland needs a bigger guard next to him for the defensive help. WCJ still gives the cavs a playable C who can stretch the floor and then 16 is a cherry.

Orlando now has the C for the future and a defensive anchor for Mose's defense. You still have plenty other options to go get a Simons, Sexton type guard using Goga/Cole/Gary/ 26 pick swap and possibly Isaac if needed.

That hurts...but I'd do it...I wonder what we'd have to add to make it Mobley instead of Allen?

I like the plan.

[89Magicfan]

Why is everyone talking about White? Celtics aren’t going to trade him to a rival such as us.

[Skybox]

Me, this morning: "I'ma get my workout in and get myself to the office a bit early today"

RealGM: "Hold my beer"

[BadMofoPimp]

In a very brief summary, what I want this offseason, is to hear gasps, oohs and aaahs when at least one ORL trade is announced during the draft....followed by the better commentators saying things like "Here comes ORL", "Weltman said they were going for it and this certainly reflects that", etc

The Eastern Conference next season will be won by the GM who has the best summer...it's wide open.

got one cooked up for you skybox..

Orlando Trades to Cleveland- WCJ, 16 & Black
Orlando Receives - Allen

It's pretty obvious that garland needs a bigger guard next to him for the defensive help. WCJ still gives the cavs a playable C who can stretch the floor and then 16 is a cherry.

Orlando now has the C for the future and a defensive anchor for Mose's defense. You still have plenty other options to go get a Simons, Sexton type guard using Goga/Cole/Gary/ 26 pick swap and possibly Isaac if needed.

That hurts...but I'd do it...I wonder what we'd have to add to make it Mobley instead of Allen?

I like the plan.

Orlando Trades to Cleveland- WCJ, 16 & Suggs
Orlando Receives - Allen

As a starting point with Magic having to give up more 1sts.

[BadMofoPimp]

Me, this morning: "I'ma get my workout in and get myself to the office a bit early today"

RealGM: "Hold my beer"

I decided to work from home today and just looked at the beers in the fridge. I wouldn't tho as it makes me too sleepy.