Official Speculation Thread '20-'21 VI: "I like this team"

[MagicFan101]

I just don't see any scenario where the Magic aren't significantly worse than last season.

Unless Fultz has an unexpected breakout offensively, it definitely seems like this team is looking at like 30 wins in a 72 game schedule.

This is the year to do it ...

Unless you guys expect Harden to add Orlando to his wish list of teams, I don’t see a better path to acquiring a franchise player.

[BCS]

I might be in the minority, but I am fine with the moves we are making. With Isaac out for the year I feel like this became a lost year in a sense and now its a feeler year as to what the team can become and I am seeing this from the front office with the small one year deals to remain flexible for next years free agency when big moves need to happen.

The trade market is where we need to hit a bit harder and my number one priority is not even Fournier. If we can't find value, I am okay with letting him finish his year and let him walk away. My number one priority is getting rid of Aminu though, I do not want his salary on our books next year when it matters. So I am looking at getting rid of him maybe in conjunction with Evan if possible for an expiring like Porter Jr or even Batum, maybe do a sign and trade and overpay someone like Millsap for one year to match salaries and send them to Denver if that is possible. Something like that would make me very happy.

As far as our other vets Ross, Vuc and AG, as time passes and contracts decline, they become an easier to trade imo if we need to trade them so I am in no rush with them. But Aminu has to go!

bringing back everyone but Isaac, we already know what the team can become. Porter is young, more potential and under salary control for awhile, doubtful at all to put together a package to get him.

Oh, no I didn't mean that Porter Jr, lol, I mean I would love him for this team, but I agree that Denver is unlikely to let him go for anything we have to offer. I was actually talking about Otto Porter Jr, not that I care for him but he is an expiring, and if we can get rid of Aminu that way, I am all for it. Just hypotheticals on the types of moves I would be looking for this year. Small moves, looking for expirings, keeping our young group, seeing what Chuma and Cole can give this team and then next years having cap space to make free agent moves along with getting Isaac back and being able to sign and trade as well with AG, Vuc and Ross when their contracts are more bearable.

[MagicStarwipe]

I refuse to watch another season of Buddy Ball. Nope. Not happening. I'll just catch the highlights of the few players that interest me.

[j-ragg]

Just rearranged a few chairs on the sinking titanic. Some of y’all have this FO balls so deep down your throat it’s funny.

The funny thing is that PBO Weltman gave a interview just before the draft stating specifically that he would not make deals

Could've stopped right there.

I've never seen this franchise have less direction. No picks (other than our own annual 15th), cap space, franchise players, or all-stars in sight. What a time

[Knightro]

I could low key get behind this year as a sneaky tank year if I was confident the Magic were actually going to play Anthony, Okeke and Bamba significant rotation minutes alongside Fultz.

But I'm not convinced any of those three guys are actually going to see a lot of playing time.

Every minute that Michael Carter-Williams (who I actually like/respect), James Ennis, Khem Birch and Al-Farouq Aminu play this season is essentially a wasted minute.

[Furinkazan]

Im done with this bs.
Washing my hands.

[rcklsscognition]

The House of Highlights youtube videos after each game allow you to not waste your entire life on the team while also painting a rosy picture because only the scoring is shown. It's a great way to maintain your interest while the team sucks.

[The Effect]

The best way to describe the weham strategy over the last four years summed up in a gif

[OrlMagic05]

Our big moves are f-ing bacon and a Canadian that shot below 40% from the field lol

[Magic#1]

I'll be surprised if we make trades before the season starts. Our best hope for moves is if we start out really poorly (a definite possibility) and they sell low. WIth Isaac out, the only way we improve is if Fultz has a huge breakout. Even if he does break out, I'm expecting Atlanta, Cleveland and maybe Washington (depending on Wall's health or what they get for him) to be better. The only team in the East who I'd expect to be worse is Detroit and that appears intentional. In the west the only team who will definitely be worse is the Thunder, and that is, again, intentional. I just don't understand why we seem satisfied with staying just above the bottom feeders. It would be better long term to fall a part for a year when one of your studs (JI) is already going to be out and see what you can get in a draft that they're calling historically good.

[Optimus_Steel]

The best way to describe the weham strategy over the last four years summed up in a gif

Except they never imply they would be aggressive, it's the fan base that convinces themselves every year that they will make aggressive moves then get disappointed. They've always been extremely conservative. 2030 is still a possibility....

[Skybox]

Guys clearly available for trade: Gordon and Fournier with Aminu, Birch as easy filler
Teams that would fit(especially in light of recent moves)...
Gordon: Denver(lost Grant), BRK, MIN, OKC?(tons of picks, may rebuild overnight with young vets)
Fournier: GSW, MIL, any contender looking for an expiring that can knock down 3's all day and not need to ball-dominate
*both would best be sold to a contender making a "desperate" move for that missing piece or to solidify a roster. Look up and down the list of contenders. MIL needs to salvage Giannis at any cost, GSW isn't getting younger, can't waste a season, ditto BRK, DEN is deep but not really solid, BOS has no depth and is losing a big piece, maybe for nothing, PHI is diving in with Morey

We now have a ton of wings signed and re-signed and have the luxury, IMO, of only making a significant upgrade move...if it's not a star, or star potential, or a star with warts or injury risk, we'll probably stand pat or trade at the deadline. I hate it - but ORL can afford to be a little patient...especially in this minimal revenue year without fans or Isaac. WeHam is definitely patient.

Stars in turmoil...Harden(ain't happening), Westbrook, Wall, Blake

[Knightro]

Opening Night Rotation

Fultz-Fournier-Ennis-Gordon-Vucevic start
MCW-Ross-Aminu-Birch off bench

Kill me

[Max Power]

For the Magic to get any kind of jolt as a franchise, we’re going to have to wait till the deadline or the off-season. I’m hopeful they package Gordon and Fournier for something significant, but knowing Weltmans record, I’m not going to get excited for this team until he’s gone.

[j-ragg]

For the Magic to get any kind of jolt as a franchise, we’re going to have to wait till the deadline or the off-season. I’m hopeful they package Gordon and Fournier for something significant, but knowing Weltmans record, I’m not going to get excited for this team until he’s gone.

Why would we have to wait? Unless you're just saying like IF there was a deal they'll probably wait till then.

(not directed at you) Every offseason people on here say how we'll start making changes coming at the deadline or the next offseason and it never happens can't wait till the WeltHam era is over.

[MagicStarwipe]

For the Magic to get any kind of jolt as a franchise, we’re going to have to wait till the deadline or the off-season. I’m hopeful they package Gordon and Fournier for something significant, but knowing Weltmans record, I’m not going to get excited for this team until he’s gone.

Why would we have to wait? Unless you're just saying like IF there was a deal they'll probably wait till then.

(not directed at you) Every offseason people on here say how we'll start making changes coming at the deadline or the next offseason and it never happens can't wait till the WeltHam era is over.

I think what we really need is new ownership.

[Howard Mass]

Opening Night Rotation

Fultz-Fournier-Ennis-Gordon-Vucevic start
MCW-Ross-Aminu-Birch off bench

Kill me

It is essential that Anthony, Okeke and Bamba if he is healthy, get minutes this season.

[Anti Chalmers]

Opening Night Rotation

Fultz-Fournier-Ennis-Gordon-Vucevic start
MCW-Ross-Aminu-Birch off bench

Kill me

We have the most boring roster in the league. At least the bad teams have some young talent that can give some hope to their fans. Another season of buddy ball between Vuc and Fournier. I’m going to pray Fultz or Bamba has a breakout year.

[MagicFan4Lyfe]

For the Magic to get any kind of jolt as a franchise, we’re going to have to wait till the deadline or the off-season. I’m hopeful they package Gordon and Fournier for something significant, but knowing Weltmans record, I’m not going to get excited for this team until he’s gone.

Why would we have to wait? Unless you're just saying like IF there was a deal they'll probably wait till then.

(not directed at you) Every offseason people on here say how we'll start making changes coming at the deadline or the next offseason and it never happens can't wait till the WeltHam era is over.

I think what we really need is new ownership.

100%.

[GelbeWand09]

Not surprised at all. I hope nobody really believes any of those Evan rumors
Weham gonna milk that Henny core & bank on 2/3 of the east tanking or just being young, til they miss the PO & are fired. So far it worked for them.