Official Speculation Thread '19-'20 V: Purgatory

[jezzerinho]

Yup. Hit it right on the head.

If we can trade Gordon for a pick that is in range to draft Killian Hayes and open up significant cap space for the monumental 2021 free agency class you do it without any hesitation.

Honestly, this could be directly correlated to why we were one of the three teams he interviewed with

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Hayes is also a local kid from Lakeland.

Hayes has shades of D'Angelo Russell, Luka game imo and already possess elite NBA moves (killer step-back Harden esque shot).

I am going to be honest I haven’t dived into the prospects but the guy shot 26% from three but is considered a good shooter and Harden like? If we are going to trade up can we finally draft a guy who can actually shoot?

Edit: Looking deeper he definitely shot way better on more attempts in the euro cup. But that was only 10 games. His biggest sample size he shot 20%. That is still a little concerning

Sooo... the selling points for his shot are that it looks good, he has been really good at the free throw line, and that he has been significantly better at shooting off the dribble than in catch-and-shoot situations.

The comparisons to Harden make no sense to me. Harden is a star now, so a lot of people are going to emulate him to some extent or another and Hayes is obviously among those that do. His step-back jump shot is straight out of Harden's playbook, but Harden has evolved into the player he is now. If you go back and watch what he was when he got into the league, he had an amazing first step that he used to blow by anyone that defended him aggressively. That sets up almost everything else he does. Hayes doesn't have that. He is an average athlete that is going to have trouble getting all the way to the rim.

I like Hayes well enough and he probably is the best PG prospect in a draft stacked with PG prospects, but that doesn't really make him a great prospect. As has been mentioned, he has no right hand whatsoever. You can see scouting videos that demonstrate how this hinders his game. His skill level is otherwise nice for his age and he is adept at running the pick-and-roll, but I don't see anything that otherwise makes him an extraordinary prospect.

I'd be happy to watch him develop if we somehow acquired him, but would I give up Gordon to get him? I don't know that I like him that much when there are going to be some appealing options available when we pick. I like Mannion and Lewis. I'd probably be happy watching Maledon develop as well, though he is a bit too passive for me.

If we trade Gordon to acquire a pick that we use on Hayes, we are a worse team in the immediate future. Hayes' team wasn't very good. I also don't like his fit alongside Fultz. I'm not sure our front office has the stones to take that sort of a gamble on Hayes. I'm not reading anything into the fact that Hayes gave us an interview. Weltman will kick the tires on everyone, but keep in mind that he drafted Isaac without getting a workout or interview.

I feel the same way about Maledon. There are both talent and physical tools there, but he's a very introverted kid who plays significantly within himself. That not what the Magic needs now. If we had the luxury of building him up for 3 years and players around him to do it - fine. But we don't on either count. Another bad fit.

Maxey, Halliburton, Lewis Jr, Hayes maybe Josh Green at a pinch are guards who can help now, add some fire and all have developmental upside.

[bigdogdylan5]

As encouraged as I’ve been by Fultz getting back on the court, I’m not at all convinced he’s a guy the Magic should for sure be committing to as a no questions asked starter/player to build around at this point with the glaring hole that exists in his game offensively.

If the front office believes Hayes or Ball or any of the other lead guard prospects will be a better player overall than Fultz will be and can get into a position to acquire one of those players, then they should do that and ultimately get rid of Fultz if the two of them don’t mesh together on the court

I say again. The draft should be a pure talent acquisition play for a team like Orlando who isn’t likely to be a major free agent or trade destination without a star player already here.

The Magic should be drafting the players they believe will become the very best talents every year and then figuring out the roster construction element with trades and free agency later.

Now obviously the front office hasn’t been doing the latter all that well. They haven’t shown much of a willingness to make trades or not make FA signings that alleviate roster crunches, but hopefully that improves.

I’m just weary of the idea of worrying about how draft prospects fit with guys currently on a team that was chugging along towards 38 wins before the shutdown.

Who cares how a draft prospect fits with the players on the team right now when most of the players on the team right now could/should be traded without a second thought? When you maybe only have one legitimate long-term building block and no players without some level of questions marks, I worry a whole heck of a lot less about fit.

I agree overall you draft BPA always in the NBA and figure it out later. I will put it this way I am terrified of giving up AG. So it’s less about Hayes vs other draft prospects. There is a reason data savvy smart warriors are targeting AG. So I am only giving him up if a bona fide scoring threat is coming back to us.

Also: I am really high on Fultz he is not without flaws but he does have some real excellent skills there

[Xatticus]

As encouraged as I’ve been by Fultz getting back on the court, I’m not at all convinced he’s a guy the Magic should for sure be committing to as a no questions asked starter/player to build around at this point with the glaring hole that exists in his game offensively.

If the front office believes Hayes or Ball or any of the other lead guard prospects will be a better player overall than Fultz will be and can get into a position to acquire one of those players, then they should do that and ultimately get rid of Fultz if they two of them don’t mesh together on the court

I say again. The draft should be a pure talent acquisition play for a team like Orlando who isn’t likely to be a major free agent or trade destination without a star player already here.

The Magic should be drafting the players they believe will become the very best talents every year and then figuring out the roster construction element with trades and free agency later.

Now obviously the front office hasn’t been doing the latter all that well. They haven’t shown much of a willingness to make trades or not make FA signings that alleviate roster crunches, but hopefully that improves.

I’m just weary of the idea of worrying about how draft prospects fit with guys currently on a team that was chugging along towards 38 wins before the shutdown.

Who cares how a draft prospect fits with the players on the team right now when most of the players on the team right now could/should be traded without a second thought? When you maybe only have one legitimate long-term building block and no players without some level of questions marks, I worry a whole heck of a lot less about fit.

I'm all about taking the best prospect, though the argument about what constitutes "best prospect" is its own rabbit hole. The guy with the highest ceiling might be Pokusevski, but nobody is going to have him at the top of their board.

I'm just skeptical that this front office is going to use that trade chip to bring in a guy like Hayes that needs to have the ball in his hands to develop. I'm not that bullish on Fultz, but this front office has a lot invested in him and I don't see any way that they cut bait at this point. That's the only transaction of consequence that they made in the three years they have been in charge.

I believe this front office places more value on the known than the unknown, even if the known isn't all that appealing. I have a tough time seeing them fall in love with a guy like Hayes when they didn't sell the farm for better prospects in the past.

As an aside, this is a strange draft in which to trade up. I'd rather have a few mid-to-late first-round picks than to have a top-5 pick in this draft. Everyone is labeling this a weak draft class, but I think that's rather unfair. This draft lacks the top-end talent, but there are a lot of intriguing guys that are going to be available even into the second round. In what other year would guys like Okoro or Vassell be potentially top-5 picks? This draft is stacked with PGs, so someone is going to slide. I think there is going to be real value at that position when our pick comes around and I'll be disappointed if we don't snag a potential playmaker this year.

[Magic_Johnny12]

As encouraged as I’ve been by Fultz getting back on the court, I’m not at all convinced he’s a guy the Magic should for sure be committing to as a no questions asked starter/player to build around at this point with the glaring hole that exists in his game offensively.

If the front office believes Hayes or Ball or any of the other lead guard prospects will be a better player overall than Fultz will be and can get into a position to acquire one of those players, then they should do that and ultimately get rid of Fultz if they two of them don’t mesh together on the court

I say again. The draft should be a pure talent acquisition play for a team like Orlando who isn’t likely to be a major free agent or trade destination without a star player already here.

The Magic should be drafting the players they believe will become the very best talents every year and then figuring out the roster construction element with trades and free agency later.

Now obviously the front office hasn’t been doing the latter all that well. They haven’t shown much of a willingness to make trades or not make FA signings that alleviate roster crunches, but hopefully that improves.

I’m just weary of the idea of worrying about how draft prospects fit with guys currently on a team that was chugging along towards 38 wins before the shutdown.

Who cares how a draft prospect fits with the players on the team right now when most of the players on the team right now could/should be traded without a second thought? When you maybe only have one legitimate long-term building block and no players without some level of questions marks, I worry a whole heck of a lot less about fit.

I'm all about taking the best prospect, though the argument about what constitutes "best prospect" is its own rabbit hole. The guy with the highest ceiling might be Pokusevski, but nobody is going to have him at the top of their board.

I'm just skeptical that this front office is going to use that trade chip to bring in a guy like Hayes that needs to have the ball in his hands to develop. I'm not that bullish on Fultz, but this front office has a lot invested in him and I don't see any way that they cut bait at this point. That's the only transaction of consequence that they made in the three years they have been in charge.

I believe this front office places more value on the known than the unknown, even if the known isn't all that appealing. I have a tough time seeing them fall in love with a guy like Hayes when they didn't sell the farm for better prospects in the past.

As an aside, this is a strange draft in which to trade up. I'd rather have a few mid-to-late first-round picks than to have a top-5 pick in this draft. Everyone is labeling this a weak draft class, but I think that's rather unfair. This draft lacks the top-end talent, but there are a lot of intriguing guys that are going to be available even into the second round. In what other year would guys like Okoro or Vassell be potentially top-5 picks? This draft is stacked with PGs, so someone is going to slide. I think there is going to be real value at that position when our pick comes around and I'll be disappointed if we don't snag a potential playmaker this year.

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[yoyojw17]

As encouraged as I’ve been by Fultz getting back on the court, I’m not at all convinced he’s a guy the Magic should for sure be committing to as a no questions asked starter/player to build around at this point with the glaring hole that exists in his game offensively.

If the front office believes Hayes or Ball or any of the other lead guard prospects will be a better player overall than Fultz will be and can get into a position to acquire one of those players, then they should do that and ultimately get rid of Fultz if the two of them don’t mesh together on the court

I say again. The draft should be a pure talent acquisition play for a team like Orlando who isn’t likely to be a major free agent or trade destination without a star player already here.

The Magic should be drafting the players they believe will become the very best talents every year and then figuring out the roster construction element with trades and free agency later.

Now obviously the front office hasn’t been doing the latter all that well. They haven’t shown much of a willingness to make trades or not make FA signings that alleviate roster crunches, but hopefully that improves.

I’m just weary of the idea of worrying about how draft prospects fit with guys currently on a team that was chugging along towards 38 wins before the shutdown.

Who cares how a draft prospect fits with the players on the team right now when most of the players on the team right now could/should be traded without a second thought? When you maybe only have one legitimate long-term building block and no players without some level of questions marks, I worry a whole heck of a lot less about fit.

I agree overall you draft BPA always in the NBA and figure it out later. I will put it this way I am terrified of giving up AG. So it’s less about Hayes vs other draft prospects. There is a reason data savvy smart warriors are targeting AG. So I am only giving him up if a bona fide scoring threat is coming back to us.

Also: I am really high on Fultz he is not without flaws but he does have some real excellent skills there

100%.... the trade has to come with a pretty solid prediction about the future of the draft pick on the team.... and be a situation that they feel as though that player will return value equivalent to or surpassing what AG is... especially on the warriors. Whether it's Edwards, Ball, Hayes etc. I don't know enough about them enough to say whether that is possible.

On a team like that.... AG's growing potential would erupt and there will be a bunch of grumbling around here... i know it. Erupt.... as in he'll take a huge step forward and the AG we saw closer to the end of the year would be a minimum comparison. the guy still has a lot of potential. If the style of play, basketball IQ and effort we saw from AG at the end of the season... becomes the norm.... he and Isaac are exactly what would be needed at the forward positions. and that is me not looking at what they are NOW... but what i truly believe they are trending towards.

And I have already deemed Fultz the future PG of our team. We've only seen the tip of the Iceberg.

haha.... at the end of the day... i could be wrong. But no matter what you have to believe in what you think and make a decision. SO... unless something striking occurs... I'm keeping AG. BUT... #1 pick and cap space would have to be evaluated if such an opportunity does arise.

[KillMonger]

If it's #1 pick and capspace I'm taking that deal with a smile, I'm done waiting on "summer league" AG. Good player but to me 7 years in, that's good value for AG. Never in my mind I would've thought AG would be worth a number 1 even in a weak draft.... Then again maybe that's says more about my evaluation skills rather than anything else.

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[zaymon]

If it's #1 pick and capspace I'm taking that deal with a smile, I'm done waiting on "summer league" AG. Good player but to me 7 years in, that's good value for AG. Never in my mind I would've thought AG would be worth a number 1 even in a weak draft.... Then again maybe that's says more about my evaluation skills rather than anything else.

Sent from my SM-G960U using RealGM mobile app

Personally i would take that 2021 minnesota pick from gsw. We dont need another pick this year, and the talent is underwhelming, also number one contract is a burden if you miss on a player. 2021 seems stacked.
Gordon is not a bad player, but i dont know how he can become a star. Maybe if he could finish around the rim better, but he has really awful touch. Opposing teams dont really guard him much and he still is ineffective. Bad as a spot up shooter, bad as a ball handler, only above average as a roller and cutter. Its worth something but i like Isaac potential more in those areas. Deal breaker for me is his middling defense. He is not a rim protector and he makes too many mistakes on rotations.

[bigdogdylan5]

If it's #1 pick and capspace I'm taking that deal with a smile, I'm done waiting on "summer league" AG. Good player but to me 7 years in, that's good value for AG. Never in my mind I would've thought AG would be worth a number 1 even in a weak draft.... Then again maybe that's says more about my evaluation skills rather than anything else.

Sent from my SM-G960U using RealGM mobile app

If it’s the number 1 pick I would look to see what we can turn it into in a three team trade. I do not think with this teams goals they are going to bring three rookies(including Okeke and excluding second round pick) at once to this team. Idk I just believe if we’re giving up AG I want something good back.

[Xatticus]

As encouraged as I’ve been by Fultz getting back on the court, I’m not at all convinced he’s a guy the Magic should for sure be committing to as a no questions asked starter/player to build around at this point with the glaring hole that exists in his game offensively.

If the front office believes Hayes or Ball or any of the other lead guard prospects will be a better player overall than Fultz will be and can get into a position to acquire one of those players, then they should do that and ultimately get rid of Fultz if they two of them don’t mesh together on the court

I say again. The draft should be a pure talent acquisition play for a team like Orlando who isn’t likely to be a major free agent or trade destination without a star player already here.

The Magic should be drafting the players they believe will become the very best talents every year and then figuring out the roster construction element with trades and free agency later.

Now obviously the front office hasn’t been doing the latter all that well. They haven’t shown much of a willingness to make trades or not make FA signings that alleviate roster crunches, but hopefully that improves.

I’m just weary of the idea of worrying about how draft prospects fit with guys currently on a team that was chugging along towards 38 wins before the shutdown.

Who cares how a draft prospect fits with the players on the team right now when most of the players on the team right now could/should be traded without a second thought? When you maybe only have one legitimate long-term building block and no players without some level of questions marks, I worry a whole heck of a lot less about fit.

I'm all about taking the best prospect, though the argument about what constitutes "best prospect" is its own rabbit hole. The guy with the highest ceiling might be Pokusevski, but nobody is going to have him at the top of their board.

I'm just skeptical that this front office is going to use that trade chip to bring in a guy like Hayes that needs to have the ball in his hands to develop. I'm not that bullish on Fultz, but this front office has a lot invested in him and I don't see any way that they cut bait at this point. That's the only transaction of consequence that they made in the three years they have been in charge.

I believe this front office places more value on the known than the unknown, even if the known isn't all that appealing. I have a tough time seeing them fall in love with a guy like Hayes when they didn't sell the farm for better prospects in the past.

As an aside, this is a strange draft in which to trade up. I'd rather have a few mid-to-late first-round picks than to have a top-5 pick in this draft. Everyone is labeling this a weak draft class, but I think that's rather unfair. This draft lacks the top-end talent, but there are a lot of intriguing guys that are going to be available even into the second round. In what other year would guys like Okoro or Vassell be potentially top-5 picks? This draft is stacked with PGs, so someone is going to slide. I think there is going to be real value at that position when our pick comes around and I'll be disappointed if we don't snag a potential playmaker this year.

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What we traded for him is fairly inconsequential. That we traded for him is what is relevant. He is still getting paid like the top overall pick. The capital built up by acquiring him was based on him being the top overall pick and he has exceeded expectations since he was acquired. I don't see how this front office gets around locking him into an extension unless something goes terribly wrong next season. I really wouldn't be enthusiastic about negotiating that extension right now. Dumping Fultz would be tantamount to admitting they screwed up by trading for him. And again, trading for him was the only transaction of consequence in three years.

Let me put it another way...

Cleveland has used their last two lottery picks on guards, neither of which appear to be all that promising. Yet the tweet that mentioned us getting an interview with Hayes also specified that Cleveland didn't interview him and has no interest in drafting a guard. Doing so would be admitting that they screwed up in drafting Sexton and/or Garland and nobody wants to own up to their mistakes until they absolutely have to. So they will draft something else and try to keep up the appearance that everything is going as planned. In the abstract, it seems really silly that Sexton and/or Garland would preclude anyone from drafting a talented young guard, but that is the position their front office has put themselves in.

I'm not arguing that it was a mistake to trade for Fultz. That still remains to be seen. I just don't think there is any chance that this front office goes in another direction until it becomes really obvious that they have to.

[KillMonger]

If it's #1 pick and capspace I'm taking that deal with a smile, I'm done waiting on "summer league" AG. Good player but to me 7 years in, that's good value for AG. Never in my mind I would've thought AG would be worth a number 1 even in a weak draft.... Then again maybe that's says more about my evaluation skills rather than anything else.

Sent from my SM-G960U using RealGM mobile app

If it’s the number 1 pick I would look to see what we can turn it into in a three team trade. I do not think with this teams goals they are going to bring three rookies(including Okeke and excluding second round pick) at once to this team. Idk I just believe if we’re giving up AG I want something good back.

i guess it all depends on what's really on the table....i would have NOOOOOO issues bringing in another rookie if that rookie is Anthony Edwards.....A Fultz/Edwards backcourt would have me drooling and then we have Chuma......now i'm not saying chuma will be better than AG but what i'm thinking is he could be able to fill the same role AG has on the squad(as long as clifford is head coach) .....Get out and run....play solid defense.....In that scenario the future is bright, but it would also being interesting if we could get all those assets and go all in on "something good" Maybe a brad beal?

[Skybox]

Man, I would love to know how Chuma is progressing/looking...his impact, IMO, has a giant effect on what the team’s decisions are this offseason...I also think this crazy upcoming “mini-season” could be really telling...

-Does AG continue his tremendous play and make us reconsider his ability to be a big 3 alongside Isaac?
-Does Bamba show us its safe to move on from Vuc and speed things along?
-Does Fultz go crazy and announce to the world that he’s an All-Star next year and the team needs to build around his game?
-Does Evan cement his future here next to Fultz or does “buddy ball” with Vuc keep us plateauing?
-Does Cliff show any creative attacks in this abrupt playoffs or do we go down boring? Can he expand with the young talent or does he lean on DJ and Vuc to get us one playoff win? (I just think this mini camp is an opportunity to spring some new surprise looks in Playoffs...wins would be nice, but I’d really like to see some glimmers of a transition to uptempo Fultz ball)
-or, do we see the same old mediocre flameout and decide to blow up the veteran core and recalibrate the progress curve?

[drsd]

Man, I would love to know how Chuma is progressing/looking...

Okeke update in June LINK

Q: What have you been doing to keep busy the last month or two?

Okeke: Before everybody went on lockdown, I moved to Orlando from Lakeland. The Orlando staff bought me weights, they bought me a bike, and sent it to my house. They gave me workouts to do every day, both upper body and lower body. There's no gym I go to. I just use the garage as a gym with the stuff that they provided.

Q: Where are you at with the rehab process?

Okeke: Before the lockdown, I was shooting in the gym and I felt pretty good shooting, getting off the floor. I was going through drills somewhat full speed. It felt good. I don't know what percent I'm at right now because it's been awhile since I've even shot a ball. I've just been working out and conditioning.

[Skybox]

Man, I would love to know how Chuma is progressing/looking...

Okeke update in June LINK

Q: What have you been doing to keep busy the last month or two?

Okeke: Before everybody went on lockdown, I moved to Orlando from Lakeland. The Orlando staff bought me weights, they bought me a bike, and sent it to my house. They gave me workouts to do every day, both upper body and lower body. There's no gym I go to. I just use the garage as a gym with the stuff that they provided.

Q: Where are you at with the rehab process?

Okeke: Before the lockdown, I was shooting in the gym and I felt pretty good shooting, getting off the floor. I was going through drills somewhat full speed. It felt good. I don't know what percent I'm at right now because it's been awhile since I've even shot a ball. I've just been working out and conditioning.

Lockdown? you telling me they can't find a place (quietly) where this professional athlete can get some shots up? I wonder if ORL is limited in what they can provide him due to contract status. Could be some absurd liability issue too. I fantasize that they are secretly building a basketball monster 12 hours a day in a secret rehab/hoop lab.

[Knightro]

Lockdown? you telling me they can't find a place (quietly) where this professional athlete can get some shots up? I wonder if ORL is limited in what they can provide him due to contract status. Could be some absurd liability issue too. I fantasize that they are secretly building a basketball monster 12 hours a day in a secret rehab/hoop lab.

I don't know for sure, but I can only guess there's something in the NBA's collective bargaining agreement about players using NBA facilities who aren't under NBA contract.

[j-ragg]

BR put our their top 15 at every position. Don't feel like looking up every Magic player but

AG

Spoiler:

12. Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic

Aaron Gordon's offensive arc has unfolded like a career-long identity crisis. Is he a big? A wing? Can he shoot? Handle the ball?

Definitive answers have yet to be provided—not flattering ones, anyway. Gordon's role has varied. And while he's still most likely best suited as a finisher out of the pick-and-roll and in transition, the Magic have steered him closer to the wing end of the spectrum. They have few alternatives and, thus, no choice.

This isn't always the best look for anyone involved. Gordon isn't efficient on drives or when pulling up off the bounce. But he has started to find his way as a playmaker. Head coach Steve Clifford recently saddled him with more pick-and-roll initiation, and he's responded by averaging 5.0 assists—and 8.3 potential assists—over his past 25 games.

The Magic won't soon trot out Gordon without another setup man. But his improving feel for facilitation diversifies an otherwise humdrum offense. And if his standstill three-point clip holds—39.3 percent over this 25-game stretch—Orlando will have one of the league's hotter commodities on its hands: a playmaking defensive difference-maker with usable outside touch.

Isaac

Spoiler:

14. Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic

Jonathan Isaac would've earned much higher placement if not for a left knee injury that might end his season. Thirty-two appearances isn't a lot, but it's enough to reinforce that he—not Aaron Gordon, nor Markelle Fulz, nor Mo Bamba—is Orlando's future.

One-man defensive systems have that effect. Isaac is a hellfire draw for any big or wing. His length is ubiquitous in passing lanes, and he can simultaneously guard the big and ball-handler in pick-and-rolls.

Getting off jumpers with him in the vicinity is a chore. He ranks in the top seven of both short and long mid-range shots despite missing more than half the season, according to PBP Stats. His length is equally imposing closer to the basket. Opponents are shooting 51.4 percent against him at the rim, a top-11 mark among 67 players challenging at least four point-blank looks per games.

Future Defensive Player of the Year candidacy is absolutely in play, if not inevitable, for Isaac. The Magic need only be concerned about his offense. The odds of him developing a serviceable floor game are slim, and he doesn't yet have enough spacing around him to get more bites as the roll man. If he doesn't hone his three-point shot, then Isaac, like Orlando itself, will be up against an artificial ceiling.

Evan

Spoiler:

13. Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic

For a team that has a bottom-10 offense, Evan Fournier has been a life preserver. He and Nikola Vucevic are the only Orlando Magic players with above-average offensive box plus/minuses. He's second on the team in scoring (18.8) and first in threes per game (2.7).

And Fournier isn't just a catch-and-shoot option, either. He's done plenty of damage off the dribble. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Khris Middleton, Kemba Walker, James Harden, Damian Lillard and Chris Paul are the only players in the league who have matched or exceeded his field-goal attempts (352) and effective field-goal percentage (50.6) on pull-up attempts this season.

[Skybox]

Man, I would love to know how Chuma is progressing/looking...his impact, IMO, has a giant effect on what the team’s decisions are this offseason...I also think this crazy upcoming “mini-season” could be really telling...

-Does AG continue his tremendous play and make us reconsider his ability to be a big 3 alongside Isaac?
-Does Bamba show us its safe to move on from Vuc and speed things along?
-Does Fultz go crazy and announce to the world that he’s an All-Star next year and the team needs to build around his game?
-Does Evan cement his future here next to Fultz or does “buddy ball” with Vuc keep us plateauing?
-Does Cliff show any creative attacks in this abrupt playoffs or do we go down boring? Can he expand with the young talent or does he lean on DJ and Vuc to get us one playoff win? (I just think this mini camp is an opportunity to spring some new surprise looks in Playoffs...wins would be nice, but I’d really like to see some glimmers of a transition to uptempo Fultz ball)
-or, do we see the same old mediocre flameout and decide to blow up the veteran core and recalibrate the progress curve?

Btw, I don’t see any reason to think Fultz is 2-3 years away. He’s been elite prior to draft, he’s as physically sound as he'll ever be and he’s had extensive patience, support, and opportunity...I think he blows up soon or he’s topped off at MCW/Exum career. I really think that, depending on team composition and schemes/coaching, he’s going to go off next season...maybe even in the bubble.

[jezzerinho]

I would say Fultz has already shown a good bit more than MCW as a PG and hasn't yet been elite at all (tho the Lakers games was eye-opening)

[Skybox]

I would say Fultz has already shown a good bit more than MCW as a PG and hasn't yet been elite at all (tho the Lakers games was eye-opening)

I meant he was elite in college. The BEST...warranting the first overall pick. Being the best guy on the floor will not be a foreign concept if and when he gets back there...mentally, being able to carry that belief matters.

[nymets1]

Could we add Joe Johnson? After watching him play on (Overseas elite) in The basketball tournament, he's still an NBA talented player. When he was in the NBA, I thought he was mostly just a scorer. Not really a winning player, did he help in a playoff win? That being said, I think he's a top 100 player in the NBA right now and if he landed on the Magic, He might be the best player on the team.

[MagicFan101]

Could we add Joe Johnson? After watching him play on (Overseas elite) in The basketball tournament, he's still an NBA talented player. When he was in the NBA, I thought he was mostly just a scorer. Not really a winning player, did he help in a playoff win? That being said, I think he's a top 100 player in the NBA right now and if he landed on the Magic, He might be the best player on the team.