2025 NBA Draft

[Idiosyncratic]

Yaxel Lendenborg is transferring to Michigan if he doesn't get a feel he will be drafted where he wants in the draft. So hopefully that is extra Michigan motivation for the Magic to take him.

Realistically there's 0 minutes for a rookie, and if we make both picks it'll further support the notion that Weltman doesn't make trade calls and is a passenger.

Even if you believe there are no minutes on our team that often gets hurt, we have little cap space going forward and whoever we draft is under contract for 4 cheap years plus the right to match any offer in free agency.

They need to make a trade, but they also are going to need cheap contributors going forward. Also a non-zero chance the trade comes after the draft.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

Yaxel Lendenborg is transferring to Michigan if he doesn't get a feel he will be drafted where he wants in the draft. So hopefully that is extra Michigan motivation for the Magic to take him.

Realistically there's 0 minutes for a rookie, and if we make both picks it'll further support the notion that Weltman doesn't make trade calls and is a passenger.

Even if you believe there are no minutes on our team that often gets hurt, we have little cap space going forward and whoever we draft is under contract for 4 cheap years plus the right to match any offer in free agency.

They need to make a trade, but they also are going to need cheap contributors going forward. Also a non-zero chance the trade comes after the draft.

agreed, so move our pick and then take a swing with denver pick to replace whatever Jett brings.

[Idiosyncratic]

Realistically there's 0 minutes for a rookie, and if we make both picks it'll further support the notion that Weltman doesn't make trade calls and is a passenger.

Even if you believe there are no minutes on our team that often gets hurt, we have little cap space going forward and whoever we draft is under contract for 4 cheap years plus the right to match any offer in free agency.

They need to make a trade, but they also are going to need cheap contributors going forward. Also a non-zero chance the trade comes after the draft.

agreed, so move our pick and then take a swing with denver pick to replace whatever Jett brings.

That would basically be my preferred outcome. I just don't see any of the likely available guard targets costing two 1sts. Only way I see them dealing multiple is if they end up trying to dump Wendell's contract, but I have talked myself into thinking they aren't going to look to move him.

I would prefer to turn Cole and Caldwell-Pope into two different guards. Caldwell-Pope and a 1st for a scoring guard and Cole + 2nds or Jett for a PG maybe. Other xfactor could be swapping Goga out for a guard if they draft a C and bring Mo back. Can't argue with the fact that Wendell always ends up higher on the depth chart.

[RichCollab]

What do we think about Kam Jones?

I’m open to him. Seems like a potential solid bench guy.

[RichCollab]

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That was what I was watching this am. People have lost their minds.

Feels like a Jeremy Lin wave that’s going to crash at some point. His age and being a senior really talks to me that he shouldn’t be taken in the top 25.

I want offense so if we do pick him I will jump on his bandwagon.

I jumped on Jett’s and jumped back off in front of a bus it feels like.

I usually don’t watch ESPN but wanted to continue to live the Ovie goal.

[Skybox]

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That was what I was watching this am. People have lost their minds.

Feels like a Jeremy Lin wave that’s going to crash at some point. His age and being a senior really talks to me that he shouldn’t be taken in the top 25.

I want offense so if we do pick him I will jump on his bandwagon.

I jumped on Jett’s and jumped back off in front of a bus it feels like. GOOD ONE

I usually don’t watch ESPN but wanted to continue to live the Ovie goal.

[eyriq]

Even if you believe there are no minutes on our team that often gets hurt, we have little cap space going forward and whoever we draft is under contract for 4 cheap years plus the right to match any offer in free agency.

They need to make a trade, but they also are going to need cheap contributors going forward. Also a non-zero chance the trade comes after the draft.

agreed, so move our pick and then take a swing with denver pick to replace whatever Jett brings.

That would basically be my preferred outcome. I just don't see any of the likely available guard targets costing two 1sts. Only way I see them dealing multiple is if they end up trying to dump Wendell's contract, but I have talked myself into thinking they aren't going to look to move him.

I would prefer to turn Cole and Caldwell-Pope into two different guards. Caldwell-Pope and a 1st for a scoring guard and Cole + 2nds or Jett for a PG maybe. Other xfactor could be swapping Goga out for a guard if they draft a C and bring Mo back. Can't argue with the fact that Wendell always ends up higher on the depth chart.

A huge part of it for me is that I'm not sure the re-tooling moves will be worth investing a lot of draft equity in. I mean the biggest re-tooling move would be what? Upgrading KCP with a potential 3rd option?

[MartinsIzAfraud]

agreed, so move our pick and then take a swing with denver pick to replace whatever Jett brings.

That would basically be my preferred outcome. I just don't see any of the likely available guard targets costing two 1sts. Only way I see them dealing multiple is if they end up trying to dump Wendell's contract, but I have talked myself into thinking they aren't going to look to move him.

I would prefer to turn Cole and Caldwell-Pope into two different guards. Caldwell-Pope and a 1st for a scoring guard and Cole + 2nds or Jett for a PG maybe. Other xfactor could be swapping Goga out for a guard if they draft a C and bring Mo back. Can't argue with the fact that Wendell always ends up higher on the depth chart.

A huge part of it for me is that I'm not sure the re-tooling moves will be worth investing a lot of draft equity in. I mean the biggest re-tooling move would be what? Upgrading KCP with a potential 3rd option?

Finding a better younger version of CoJo, someone who can bring the ball up the court get us moving in an offensive set without it being snail's pace for Paolo/Franz. On top of that someone who run pick & roll, can hit a shot, make the right pass and give effort on defense. They don't need to be all world defender, but do the little things.

[Idiosyncratic]

A huge part of it for me is that I'm not sure the re-tooling moves will be worth investing a lot of draft equity in. I mean the biggest re-tooling move would be what? Upgrading KCP with a potential 3rd option?

Yeah I agree with this. What they need shouldn't cost a lot in theory.

I mean in a perfect world they acquire a guard that can shoot and pass and that is under a reasonable contract that can be a part of the core for the next few years. That player is worth paying up for. I don't think that player is on the market.

I think guys like Simons and Sexton are probably more bench spark plugs than core guards, but even if you have generous evaluations of them, they have 1 year on their contracts and shouldn't (and won't) cost that much equity. I think I would be fine with a guy like this in a Caldwell-Pope + 1st deal. If you believe in Coby White's current run and the Bulls still want to trade him (doubt) then he could make sense paying up for, but then is he extending somewhere we can afford him?

So I agree for what they need I don't think there is going to be someone out there worth spending a ton of equity on. For the right guy I absolutely would be OK with it, for instance if we could add someone like Nembhard to the core at his 3/60 contract, but why would the Pacers move him?

So when I see someone suggesting trading multiple picks, I just can't comprehend who the target would be that takes that outside of a surprise star deal like Trae or Lamelo. I think attaching a 1st to one of our "bad" contracts to fill a hole would be more than fine. But there are probably also ways to get similar players for a lower cost.

I mean they could probably easily trade Cole/Jett + 2nds in a sign and trade for one of the FA PGs and sign a shooter with a portion of the MLE and get similar value to many of the trade options. I do think there's a real chance they go this route, getting plug-ins that fit better, but aren't necessarily long term solutions. It's not sexy, but what can you do if there's no one on the market that you think you can keep longterm as part of the core?

[basketballRob]

That would basically be my preferred outcome. I just don't see any of the likely available guard targets costing two 1sts. Only way I see them dealing multiple is if they end up trying to dump Wendell's contract, but I have talked myself into thinking they aren't going to look to move him.

I would prefer to turn Cole and Caldwell-Pope into two different guards. Caldwell-Pope and a 1st for a scoring guard and Cole + 2nds or Jett for a PG maybe. Other xfactor could be swapping Goga out for a guard if they draft a C and bring Mo back. Can't argue with the fact that Wendell always ends up higher on the depth chart.

A huge part of it for me is that I'm not sure the re-tooling moves will be worth investing a lot of draft equity in. I mean the biggest re-tooling move would be what? Upgrading KCP with a potential 3rd option?

Finding a better younger version of CoJo, someone who can bring the ball up the court get us moving in an offensive set without it being snail's pace for Paolo/Franz. On top of that someone who run pick & roll, can hit a shot, make the right pass and give effort on defense. They don't need to be all world defender, but do the little things.

That could be Walter Clayton.

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[eyriq]

A huge part of it for me is that I'm not sure the re-tooling moves will be worth investing a lot of draft equity in. I mean the biggest re-tooling move would be what? Upgrading KCP with a potential 3rd option?

Yeah I agree with this. What they need shouldn't cost a lot in theory.

I mean in a perfect world they acquire a guard that can shoot and pass and that is under a reasonable contract that can be a part of the core for the next few years. That player is worth paying up for. I don't think that player is on the market.

I think guys like Simons and Sexton are probably more bench spark plugs than core guards, but even if you have generous evaluations of them, they have 1 year on their contracts and shouldn't (and won't) cost that much equity. I think I would be fine with a guy like this in a Caldwell-Pope + 1st deal. If you believe in Coby White's current run and the Bulls still want to trade him (doubt) then he could make sense paying up for, but then is he extending somewhere we can afford him?

So I agree for what they need I don't think there is going to be someone out there worth spending a ton of equity on. For the right guy I absolutely would be OK with it, for instance if we could add someone like Nembhard to the core at his 3/60 contract, but why would the Pacers move him?

So when I see someone suggesting trading multiple picks, I just can't comprehend who the target would be that takes that outside of a surprise star deal like Trae or Lamelo. I think attaching a 1st to one of our "bad" contracts to fill a hole would be more than fine. But there are probably also ways to get similar players for a lower cost.

I mean they could probably easily trade Cole/Jett + 2nds in a sign and trade for one of the FA PGs and sign a shooter with a portion of the MLE and get similar value to many of the trade options. I do think there's a real chance they go this route, getting plug-ins that fit better, but aren't necessarily long term solutions. It's not sexy, but what can you do if there's no one on the market that you think you can keep longterm as part of the core?

Perfectly said.

[basketballRob]

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I remember some people talking like that about Maxey. It was clear he was a top 10 talent, but he kept getting mocked out of the lottery.

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[VFX]

Yaxel Lendenborg is transferring to Michigan if he doesn't get a feel he will be drafted where he wants in the draft. So hopefully that is extra Michigan motivation for the Magic to take him.

Realistically there's 0 minutes for a rookie, and if we make both picks it'll further support the notion that Weltman doesn't make trade calls and is a passenger.

Scenarios:

Move 1 pick + Cole, Jett, Carter, etc for a capable starter. Select some random other player regardless of positional need.
Move both picks for a starter in a larger package. Multiple players involved.
Move neither pick and move/decline multiple players. Select their replacements.
Make both selections. Take nothing into account regarding minute distribution and need.
Move both picks for future picks.

Those are the only viable scenarios. The path of least resistance is option 4-5, which is what Weltman loves. Making no real decisions ever.

Minutes aren't available really for SG/SF with nobody moved, even with Gary expiring. You aren't searching for a starting point guard while simultaneously assuming that Suggs isnt still getting 30+ mpg at SG with KCP still on the roster and AB getting sixth man minutes.

[trebone]

Just take Clayton if hes there, take a backup C, trade WCJ and start Goga

[basketballRob]

Just take Clayton if hes there, take a backup C, trade WCJ and start Goga

I like Sorber and Clayton. Clayton does a good job of not getting sped up, and I think he has another big game tonight.



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[Idiosyncratic]

Just take Clayton if hes there, take a backup C, trade WCJ and start Goga

I like Sorber and Clayton. Clayton does a good job of not getting sped up, and I think he has another big game tonight.



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I am a very big fan of Sorber. I really want a guard that I don't think will be there like Fears or Jase. But I think I am taking Sorber over almost all of the other options at our 1st pick. He also may not be there.

[KillMonger]

Hopefully we agree that Caldwell-Pope AND Anthony with the two FRPs will lead to a guard and wing upgrade. And that that would be a positive outcome.

Depends on who's available.... Its probably going to be colin sexton but he won't be that expensive

Certainly I support the Magic trading Anthony, Howard and either of two FRPs for Sexton.

Your idea that "Black will replace Caldwell-Pope" has a basic implication that you want a Suggs/Black starting backcourt. Now I am not sure that is your thought process here.

In my mind if KCP is still here if it's up to me he's slotting into the T-Ross role.... I would prefer suggs/black but of course this is all assuming those two get their shooting on point.....

Now sexton is a different scenario in that case, sexton/Suggs starting.... Get Suggs back to his best role at SG, sexton next to him gets him another shooter/scorer that's a decent playmaker and a dog defensively.... In either scenario if KCP is still here he's hitting that bench, I don't care how much money he makes

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[MasterGMer]

Can I ask a question? What is the key difference between WCJ and Cole? Both 6'1 and a microwave scorer. Maybe I haven't scouted WCJ that much. But I really like him. And I want Houston to win. lol

[basketballRob]

Can I ask a question? What is the key difference between WCJ and Cole? Both 6'1 and a microwave scorer. Maybe I haven't scouted WCJ that much. But I really like him. And I want Houston to win. lol

Clayton is 1" taller and around 10 lbs heavier. He's a better shooter and would be around $10m per season cheaper. I'm not sure who would trade for Cole, tho. I think we would need to package a pick Cole to get. Someone to take him.

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[RichCollab]

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I remember some people talking like that about Maxey. It was clear he was a top 10 talent, but he kept getting mocked out of the lottery.

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Maxey was 3 years younger when drafted. Much higher chance to pop in NBA.

Kentucky guards always get extra discussion