Official 2024-2025 Magic Trade ideas thread continued

[Skybox]

OKC had more money than us to sign Hartenstein.

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We easily could’ve signed Hartenstein… instead they went with Gary Harris 2.0 and re signed Gary Harris rofl. Then panic extended WCJ as a result of not landing Harrenstein.

It’s all over and hopefully this summer they make a smart move

Presti was playing 3-D chess, as usual...he probably doubled what would be considered a reasonable offer for Hartenstein but made it very short term to fit his roster's salary pressures & timing. Got THE perfect guy - even if just for a few minutes (and rings) while he will be constantly scanning for his younger, cheaper replacement for the next wave of supporting players.

Dramatically front-loading Suggs & Isaac were also good fiscal moves...assuming you agree that you want them both (I do)...KCP was just a mistake.

[cedric76]

Even if Orlando acquired Garland for a Suggs centered trade, I will still personally be disappointed.

Not in the trade itself, but upper management’s inability to be creative enough to acquire star level talent without including one of our core players.

Every team before us has done it using draft capital or was able to take advantage of opportunities (selling high/buying low).

Trading Suggs will demonstrate to me that upper management has backed themselves in a corner and every other GM knows Weltman has to make a significant trade to save his job.

This is simply the result of pledging “continuity” too long and being too risk adverse. The league’s landscape has changed dramatically and not sure Weltman and co. are up to date with the times.

You simply cannot be asleep at the wheel for years and just wake up last minute and assume you can make savy moves without no one noticing.

This year’s finals teams would agree with me. Both teams have been strategically building/trading for years. Both teams are non-tax teams and Orlando will be going from one of the least expensive teams in the league to top-5 expensive and literally nothing to show for it.

My opinion/thoughts of course.

We can’t pay Garland without shipping Suggs.

Pretty much this. This is why Presti is brilliant. He added talent on good CHEAP young roster. Weltman, as usual, did nothing and allowed all the cheap years of Franz & Suggs just pass by.

We had like $40M in cap space last summer. We got KCP and resigned Carter and Isaac

Do you understand that those contracts are needed to make trades?

None of those contracts r toxic

Wcj, suggs and ji s contract were perfectly constructed

Harris and Moe s team options were clever moves

Cole s contract was clever too, if Cole played himself into the 6 man of the year, that contract would have been a steal. If he underperformed (which is what happened) , his contract is expiring next season.

All those moves/contracts were built to make a moves this summer, making moves earlier would have been dumb as p5 and Franz were not ready by then

[basketballRob]

Cavs fans are thirsty for Suggs.

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[Skybox]

We can’t pay Garland without shipping Suggs.

Pretty much this. This is why Presti is brilliant. He added talent on good CHEAP young roster. Weltman, as usual, did nothing and allowed all the cheap years of Franz & Suggs just pass by.

We had like $40M in cap space last summer. We got KCP and resigned Carter and Isaac

Do you understand that those contracts are needed to make trades?

None of those contracts r toxic

Wcj, suggs and ji s contract were perfectly constructed

Harris and Moe s team options were clever moves

Cole s contract was clever too, if Cole played himself into the 6 man of the year, that contract would have been a steal. If he underperformed (which is what happened) , his contract is expiring next season.

All those moves/contracts were built to make a moves this summer, making moves earlier would have been dumb as p5 and Franz were not ready by then

I agree with the sentiment, but I don't agree with WCJ's structure or timing and I question whether KCP's deal won't be a hurdle to moving him - he SHOULD be easy to move but the contract is, to fans at least, tough to swallow. His "down year" shooting doesn't really concern me and it shouldn't for other GMs...they know who he is. It will be interesting to see what they do with Moe's option - he's out half of the season and we are not in a "charitable" situation financially...I really hope they decline and re-sign him for more years, lower salary (maybe even frontload to whatever degree they can).

[RichCollab]

We can’t pay Garland without shipping Suggs.

Pretty much this. This is why Presti is brilliant. He added talent on good CHEAP young roster. Weltman, as usual, did nothing and allowed all the cheap years of Franz & Suggs just pass by.

We had like $40M in cap space last summer. We got KCP and resigned Carter and Isaac

Do you understand that those contracts are needed to make trades?

None of those contracts r toxic

Wcj, suggs and ji s contract were perfectly constructed

Harris and Moe s team options were clever moves

Cole s contract was clever too, if Cole played himself into the 6 man of the year, that contract would have been a steal. If he underperformed (which is what happened) , his contract is expiring next season.

All those moves/contracts were built to make a moves this summer, making moves earlier would have been dumb as p5 and Franz were not ready by then

But, we haven’t made moves. We have no money to sign even a mid level free agent.

Once we actually make a move I may be ready to give kudos.

[basketballRob]

I say no no no to Garland.

https://youtu.be/KUmZp8pR1uc?si=N0bEhLOLslZCCQk6

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[basketballRob]

In-depth analysis by an NBA insider.

Read on Twitter

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[mattdelray1220]

We can’t pay Garland without shipping Suggs.

Pretty much this. This is why Presti is brilliant. He added talent on good CHEAP young roster. Weltman, as usual, did nothing and allowed all the cheap years of Franz & Suggs just pass by.

We had like $40M in cap space last summer. We got KCP and resigned Carter and Isaac

Do you understand that those contracts are needed to make trades?

None of those contracts r toxic

Wcj, suggs and ji s contract were perfectly constructed

Harris and Moe s team options were clever moves

Cole s contract was clever too, if Cole played himself into the 6 man of the year, that contract would have been a steal. If he underperformed (which is what happened) , his contract is expiring next season.

All those moves/contracts were built to make a moves this summer, making moves earlier would have been dumb as p5 and Franz were not ready by then

Hindsight is always 20/20. These were great contracts. It just sucks how much JI, WCJ, Cole and KCP regressed last year. Unfortunate to say the least. I think they will make a serious move without moving the top 3 guys and we will have a lot to be excited about going into next year and Paolo/Franz prime years ahead. Very bullish on Orlando. I dont think Weltman has destroyed this team like most of the fans do. That pick next year could be a top 10 pick also. We have a bright future.

[Magic_Johnny12]

We can’t pay Garland without shipping Suggs.

Pretty much this. This is why Presti is brilliant. He added talent on good CHEAP young roster. Weltman, as usual, did nothing and allowed all the cheap years of Franz & Suggs just pass by.

We had like $40M in cap space last summer. We got KCP and resigned Carter and Isaac

Do you understand that those contracts are needed to make trades?

Wagner = FA or expiring/no value
Harris = FA or expiring/no value
Anthony = expiring/no value
Isaac = 15m a night/injury prone/maybe neutral value due to his structure of his contract NOT his play
Carter Jr. = regressed/injury prone/paid like a top-20 center (LOL)
KCP = regressed/overpaid/negative value

You do understand that in order to make trades you actually have to have players/contracts other teams want right?

[OrlandoNed]

Pretty much this. This is why Presti is brilliant. He added talent on good CHEAP young roster. Weltman, as usual, did nothing and allowed all the cheap years of Franz & Suggs just pass by.

We had like $40M in cap space last summer. We got KCP and resigned Carter and Isaac

Do you understand that those contracts are needed to make trades?

None of those contracts r toxic

Wcj, suggs and ji s contract were perfectly constructed

Harris and Moe s team options were clever moves

Cole s contract was clever too, if Cole played himself into the 6 man of the year, that contract would have been a steal. If he underperformed (which is what happened) , his contract is expiring next season.

All those moves/contracts were built to make a moves this summer, making moves earlier would have been dumb as p5 and Franz were not ready by then

But, we haven’t made moves. We have no money to sign even a mid level free agent.

Once we actually make a move I may be ready to give kudos.

Exactly.

We've been hearing for like a decade about how our overpaid free agents are on such smart and tradeable contracts and then the FO does what it always does. Nothing.

[cedric76]

Pretty much this. This is why Presti is brilliant. He added talent on good CHEAP young roster. Weltman, as usual, did nothing and allowed all the cheap years of Franz & Suggs just pass by.

We had like $40M in cap space last summer. We got KCP and resigned Carter and Isaac

Do you understand that those contracts are needed to make trades?

None of those contracts r toxic

Wcj, suggs and ji s contract were perfectly constructed

Harris and Moe s team options were clever moves

Cole s contract was clever too, if Cole played himself into the 6 man of the year, that contract would have been a steal. If he underperformed (which is what happened) , his contract is expiring next season.

All those moves/contracts were built to make a moves this summer, making moves earlier would have been dumb as p5 and Franz were not ready by then

But, we haven’t made moves. We have no money to sign even a mid level free agent.

Once we actually make a move I may be ready to give kudos.

The plan was to make move this summer.

As for mid level free agent, only Brooklyn will be a major free agent player this summer, want to know why? Because the free agent pool is weak (front offices plan ahead)

[Skybox]

In-depth analysis by an NBA insider.

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"Land of the Free" is an NBA insider? not seeing the in-depth analysis either

[cedric76]

Pretty much this. This is why Presti is brilliant. He added talent on good CHEAP young roster. Weltman, as usual, did nothing and allowed all the cheap years of Franz & Suggs just pass by.

We had like $40M in cap space last summer. We got KCP and resigned Carter and Isaac

Do you understand that those contracts are needed to make trades?

Wagner = FA or expiring/no value
Harris = FA or expiring/no value
Anthony = expiring/no value
Isaac = 15m a night/injury prone/maybe neutral value due to his structure of his contract NOT his play
Carter Jr. = regressed/injury prone/paid like a top-20 center (LOL)
KCP = regressed/overpaid/negative value

You do understand that in order to make trades you actually have to have players/contracts other teams want right?

Green font?

Thankfully, NBA front offices are better at valuing assets than you

[Magic_Johnny12]

Do you understand that those contracts are needed to make trades?

Wagner = FA or expiring/no value
Harris = FA or expiring/no value
Anthony = expiring/no value
Isaac = 15m a night/injury prone/maybe neutral value due to his structure of his contract NOT his play
Carter Jr. = regressed/injury prone/paid like a top-20 center (LOL)
KCP = regressed/overpaid/negative value

You do understand that in order to make trades you actually have to have players/contracts other teams want right?

Thankfully, front offices are better at valuing assets than you

You know what, I genuinely hope you’re right.

I’m okay being wrong and have eaten crow in the past.

If Weltman can pull a rabbit out of his hat with the players I listed above I would be elated, however I’m not holding my breath and would advise you to do the same.

There’s a difference between being a homer and delusional, it’s okay to call a spade a spade.

[basketballRob]

In-depth analysis by an NBA insider.

Read on Twitter

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"Land of the Free" is an NBA insider? not seeing the in-depth analysis either

You're probably right. Midget isn't politically correct, either. He should've said little person or dwarf.

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[MartinsIzAfraud]

In-depth analysis by an NBA insider.

Read on Twitter

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not at you more of a statement. If they move Suggs before even trying to pair him with a more offensively minded PG then I'll give up. Would signal they **** up on the KCP signing but he doesn't have value so they can't move him and now are having to make a panic move because they're backed into a corner.

[Skybox]

In-depth analysis by an NBA insider.

Read on Twitter

?s=19

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"Land of the Free" is an NBA insider? not seeing the in-depth analysis either

You're probably right. Midget isn't politically correct, either. He should've said little person or dwarf.

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Actually my bad...I'm not on X, so didn't even read beyond the "meme/header"...I'm old, don't know the words

[jonbob17]

We can’t pay Garland without shipping Suggs.

Pretty much this. This is why Presti is brilliant. He added talent on good CHEAP young roster. Weltman, as usual, did nothing and allowed all the cheap years of Franz & Suggs just pass by.

We had like $40M in cap space last summer. We got KCP and resigned Carter and Isaac

Do you understand that those contracts are needed to make trades?

None of those contracts r toxic

Wcj, suggs and ji s contract were perfectly constructed

Harris and Moe s team options were clever moves

Cole s contract was clever too, if Cole played himself into the 6 man of the year, that contract would have been a steal. If he underperformed (which is what happened) , his contract is expiring next season.

All those moves/contracts were built to make a moves this summer, making moves earlier would have been dumb as p5 and Franz were not ready by then

Yah, it was a use it or lose it before Franz and Suggs kicked in. Now we have tradeable contracts...even if they may not have quite as much value as we would have hoped. It's harder to go over the cap if you don't have the salaries on the books.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

Garland also has a 15% trade kicker... **** that dude would be making close to 45-48M next year HARD PASSS.

Like I said I'd rather empty the clip for Booker

Looks like trade kicker gets paid by team he’s traded from not team acquiring him?

[Black and Blue]

I see where you're coming from, but I disagree, and I think the playoffs this year make the counterpoint pretty clear: depth matters more than ever. Trading for Garland without giving up Suggs might sound ideal on paper, but in reality, it would hollow out the roster’s mid-tier and low-cost contributors. You don’t win with four studs and 12 replacement-level guys, especially not in a grueling postseason where matchups, injuries, and versatility test your full rotation.

Garland is expensive, and pairing him with Suggs, Franz, and Paolo commits nearly all future flexibility to four players. That’s a cap structure that leaves no margin for error, and frankly, Suggs is too good and too valuable on both ends to become just a “bonus” piece in that setup. The most successful playoff teams this year, Indiana, OKC, have found the balance between top-end talent and role-player depth. Strangling our cap to shoehorn Garland without giving up a core piece goes against that.

Sometimes the boldest, smartest move is knowing what not to do, and over-consolidating isn’t the answer.

Completely agree. This is why I have been on the trade Suggs for a significant upgrade at PG train this offseason. People's hearts are with Suggs, and I totally get that, but roster construction and money-wise it just doesn't make sense.

If the team is up for trading Suggs, it makes those PG options even more exciting. We don't have to work with only the Simons of the world. Suddenly we can work with some top tier PGs and have more money to fill out the rest of a (hopefully new) roster.

This is funny.

You’re on this train because the front office left you no choice which is my main point.

You’re on this train because management has backed themselves in a corner and the only option NOW is to trade Suggs.

BECAUSE they didn’t take advantage of when Wagner/Banchero were on rookie deals which a lot of us were screaming for because we knew what was coming (an expensive roster).

And because when Orlando DID have cap they chose to sign KCP (overlap in Suggs skillset) and resign players that regressed to new shiny deals

I hate to be the “I told you so” or “we should have done this” guy but we could have signed/traded for CHEAP good depth in preparation of the inevitable but deliberately chose to stand pat and now here we are.

Is the world going to end because we are forced to trade Suggs? No.

Could have we been more active and creative throughout the years to acquire good talent/depth to be more prepared for today and create a window of contention with our core? Absolutely.

Again, this is just the result of poor roster and cap management throughout the years.

Why is my post funny? I don't quite understand.

Weltman was far too safe and the moves he has made have been half-measures at best. I've been hounding him for years on that. Looking to today, I suggested a trade to improve the team as it stands now. It's not a far fetched idea that you have to move talent to acquire talent.

It's like I suggested an end to the war in Ukraine, and you said, "THERE SHOULDN'T EVEN BE A WAR!" Yes. Obviously. But there is one so it's not funny to simply try to suggest a solution.