Chuma Okeke drafted #16 by the Orlando Magic

[tiderulz]

I don’t care if Fultz ends up having a HoF career for us. If NAW is as good as he looks, the front office is stupid for not picking him up. A plays a position of need, we signed Aminu anyway, and he’s healthy...

Agreed. People will manage a way to spin it somehow if he plays up to this level. Okeke wasn’t the BPA by draft metrics and we obviously didn’t need him for this “playoff roster” we just committed all of our cap space toward. It’s so **** ridiculous that our FO has a draft bias when this roster lacks basic talent.

The spin is actually coming from the other direction.

The Magic have draft metrics that no other franchise or any draft analyst have. PLUS guys like Mike Schmidtz, Cole Zwicker and others have raved about how advanced analytics love Okeke.

NAW was not the BPA available by advanced draft metrics, Okeke was better than him:

• PER: NAW 21.9 vs Okeke 24.5
• WS: NAW 5.5 vs Okeke 5.5
• BPM: NAW 9.0 vs Okeke 13.4
• ORtg: NAW 111.9 vs Okeke 121.2
• TS%: NAW .586 vs Okeke .597

What I saw in NAW in SL was that he's not very athletic and doesn't have 1st option ball handler burst; and his passing was reckless.

In 4g / 30.5mpg he put up 24p/5a BUT he did so at a very unimpressive clip: 33 - 80 .410 FG% and with a ton of turn overs (4 per game) and questionable shot selection. Basically the SL Pels were happy just letting him chuck volume (20 FGA's a game) and gave him a ton of minutes. Smells a lot like artificially generated hype.

NAW also doesn't really fill a position of need. He is not an NBA ready starting PG...and right now he doesn't really look like he'll ever be one. He looks like a guard that can handle secondary playmaker role. The Magic already have a secondary playmaker (Fournier) PLUS they just resigned Ross as the back up wing. Aaron Gordon also handled secondary playmaker occasionally. The likelihood that NAW comes in and earns minutes from any of those guys is incredibly low.

At back up PG - Fultz, Augustin and MCW exist. No way he's taking minutes from DJ. Basically his path to minutes at PG would be for Fultz to fail and for him to outplay MCW who was a major factor to the Magic's defense and playoff push.

to me, analytics need to be balanced by scouts that view games and video. actually watch players play. understand their role, their usage.

what did the Magic need? people that could handle the ball, make a play. We were limited to DJ and Evan. that is what was needed and what NAW could provide. could fill in some bench minutes at PF maybe, but also SG or SF.

[zaymon]

Agreed. People will manage a way to spin it somehow if he plays up to this level. Okeke wasn’t the BPA by draft metrics and we obviously didn’t need him for this “playoff roster” we just committed all of our cap space toward. It’s so **** ridiculous that our FO has a draft bias when this roster lacks basic talent.

The spin is actually coming from the other direction.

The Magic have draft metrics that no other franchise or any draft analyst have. PLUS guys like Mike Schmidtz, Cole Zwicker and others have raved about how advanced analytics love Okeke.

NAW was not the BPA available by advanced draft metrics, Okeke was better than him:

• PER: NAW 21.9 vs Okeke 24.5
• WS: NAW 5.5 vs Okeke 5.5
• BPM: NAW 9.0 vs Okeke 13.4
• ORtg: NAW 111.9 vs Okeke 121.2
• TS%: NAW .586 vs Okeke .597

What I saw in NAW in SL was that he's not very athletic and doesn't have 1st option ball handler burst; and his passing was reckless.

In 4g / 30.5mpg he put up 24p/5a BUT he did so at a very unimpressive clip: 33 - 80 .410 FG% and with a ton of turn overs (4 per game) and questionable shot selection. Basically the SL Pels were happy just letting him chuck volume (20 FGA's a game) and gave him a ton of minutes. Smells a lot like artificially generated hype.

NAW also doesn't really fill a position of need. He is not an NBA ready starting PG...and right now he doesn't really look like he'll ever be one. He looks like a guard that can handle secondary playmaker role. The Magic already have a secondary playmaker (Fournier) PLUS they just resigned Ross as the back up wing. Aaron Gordon also handled secondary playmaker occasionally. The likelihood that NAW comes in and earns minutes from any of those guys is incredibly low.

At back up PG - Fultz, Augustin and MCW exist. No way he's taking minutes from DJ. Basically his path to minutes at PG would be for Fultz to fail and for him to outplay MCW who was a major factor to the Magic's defense and playoff push.

to me, analytics need to be balanced by scouts that view games and video. actually watch players play. understand their role, their usage.

what did the Magic need? people that could handle the ball, make a play. We were limited to DJ and Evan. that is what was needed and what NAW could provide. could fill in some bench minutes at PF maybe, but also SG or SF.

Are you implying our front office didnt watch film on NAW and Okeke ? You are crossing the line man. We need ball handling but on a player who will actually crack the rotation. Injured Okeke has similar chance to crack the rotation this year to NAW- almost none. What was one of our biggest problem against Raptors ? Our ballhandlers made too much turnovers. Guess what NAW is more turnover prone than Fournier, DJ, Gordon and Vucevic. You want ball in his hands next season ?

[VFX]

Agreed. People will manage a way to spin it somehow if he plays up to this level. Okeke wasn’t the BPA by draft metrics and we obviously didn’t need him for this “playoff roster” we just committed all of our cap space toward. It’s so **** ridiculous that our FO has a draft bias when this roster lacks basic talent.

The spin is actually coming from the other direction.

The Magic have draft metrics that no other franchise or any draft analyst have. PLUS guys like Mike Schmidtz, Cole Zwicker and others have raved about how advanced analytics love Okeke.

NAW was not the BPA available by advanced draft metrics, Okeke was better than him:

• PER: NAW 21.9 vs Okeke 24.5
• WS: NAW 5.5 vs Okeke 5.5
• BPM: NAW 9.0 vs Okeke 13.4
• ORtg: NAW 111.9 vs Okeke 121.2
• TS%: NAW .586 vs Okeke .597

What I saw in NAW in SL was that he's not very athletic and doesn't have 1st option ball handler burst; and his passing was reckless.

In 4g / 30.5mpg he put up 24p/5a BUT he did so at a very unimpressive clip: 33 - 80 .410 FG% and with a ton of turn overs (4 per game) and questionable shot selection. Basically the SL Pels were happy just letting him chuck volume (20 FGA's a game) and gave him a ton of minutes. Smells a lot like artificially generated hype.

NAW also doesn't really fill a position of need. He is not an NBA ready starting PG...and right now he doesn't really look like he'll ever be one. He looks like a guard that can handle secondary playmaker role. The Magic already have a secondary playmaker (Fournier) PLUS they just resigned Ross as the back up wing. Aaron Gordon also handled secondary playmaker occasionally. The likelihood that NAW comes in and earns minutes from any of those guys is incredibly low.

At back up PG - Fultz, Augustin and MCW exist. No way he's taking minutes from DJ. Basically his path to minutes at PG would be for Fultz to fail and for him to outplay MCW who was a major factor to the Magic's defense and playoff push.

to me, analytics need to be balanced by scouts that view games and video. actually watch players play. understand their role, their usage.

what did the Magic need? people that could handle the ball, make a play. We were limited to DJ and Evan. that is what was needed and what NAW could provide. could fill in some bench minutes at PF maybe, but also SG or SF.

I find it hilarious the amount of legitimizing Okeke over NAW is taking place. Easy to spot homers that were 100% on board with NAW despite zero information changing between now and draft night.

This isn’t to say I won’t be 100% on board with Okeke moving forward, but let’s just call it what it is. People backing the FO’s decisions whether or not it makes sense. Pulling data to make this case is humorous to say the least.

[ezzzp]

Agreed. People will manage a way to spin it somehow if he plays up to this level. Okeke wasn’t the BPA by draft metrics and we obviously didn’t need him for this “playoff roster” we just committed all of our cap space toward. It’s so **** ridiculous that our FO has a draft bias when this roster lacks basic talent.

The spin is actually coming from the other direction.

The Magic have draft metrics that no other franchise or any draft analyst have. PLUS guys like Mike Schmidtz, Cole Zwicker and others have raved about how advanced analytics love Okeke.

NAW was not the BPA available by advanced draft metrics, Okeke was better than him:

• PER: NAW 21.9 vs Okeke 24.5
• WS: NAW 5.5 vs Okeke 5.5
• BPM: NAW 9.0 vs Okeke 13.4
• ORtg: NAW 111.9 vs Okeke 121.2
• TS%: NAW .586 vs Okeke .597

What I saw in NAW in SL was that he's not very athletic and doesn't have 1st option ball handler burst; and his passing was reckless.

In 4g / 30.5mpg he put up 24p/5a BUT he did so at a very unimpressive clip: 33 - 80 .410 FG% and with a ton of turn overs (4 per game) and questionable shot selection. Basically the SL Pels were happy just letting him chuck volume (20 FGA's a game) and gave him a ton of minutes. Smells a lot like artificially generated hype.

NAW also doesn't really fill a position of need. He is not an NBA ready starting PG...and right now he doesn't really look like he'll ever be one. He looks like a guard that can handle secondary playmaker role. The Magic already have a secondary playmaker (Fournier) PLUS they just resigned Ross as the back up wing. Aaron Gordon also handled secondary playmaker occasionally. The likelihood that NAW comes in and earns minutes from any of those guys is incredibly low.

At back up PG - Fultz, Augustin and MCW exist. No way he's taking minutes from DJ. Basically his path to minutes at PG would be for Fultz to fail and for him to outplay MCW who was a major factor to the Magic's defense and playoff push.

to me, analytics need to be balanced by scouts that view games and video. actually watch players play. understand their role, their usage.

what did the Magic need? people that could handle the ball, make a play. We were limited to DJ and Evan. that is what was needed and what NAW could provide. could fill in some bench minutes at PF maybe, but also SG or SF.

Except that the Magic have invested heavily in their scouting department, so they DID balance their analytics with scouts. They actually did watch players play, understood their roles and their usage. Did you or any fan scout NAW and Okeke as closely, with as much access than the Magic's team of scouts? I doubt it.

The Magic actually need shooting from the forward position. Neither Gordon, Isaac, or Aminu are natural shooters; Okeke is...and he also happens to profile like an excellent versatile defender.

The Magic don't need ball handling or shooting from the SG position, they have Fournier and Ross.

What the Magic need is an explosive #1 option in the backcourt, that's not NAW. Even in that SL context vs scrubs he only put up points because of massive volume at a very low efficiency. If DaQuan Jeffries jacked up 20 FGA's per game, he'd also have put up +20 pt games.

The Magic also need a starting caliber PG. That also isn't NAW. He looks like a secondary playmaker in the NBA.

[ezzzp]

The spin is actually coming from the other direction.

The Magic have draft metrics that no other franchise or any draft analyst have. PLUS guys like Mike Schmidtz, Cole Zwicker and others have raved about how advanced analytics love Okeke.

NAW was not the BPA available by advanced draft metrics, Okeke was better than him:

• PER: NAW 21.9 vs Okeke 24.5
• WS: NAW 5.5 vs Okeke 5.5
• BPM: NAW 9.0 vs Okeke 13.4
• ORtg: NAW 111.9 vs Okeke 121.2
• TS%: NAW .586 vs Okeke .597

What I saw in NAW in SL was that he's not very athletic and doesn't have 1st option ball handler burst; and his passing was reckless.

In 4g / 30.5mpg he put up 24p/5a BUT he did so at a very unimpressive clip: 33 - 80 .410 FG% and with a ton of turn overs (4 per game) and questionable shot selection. Basically the SL Pels were happy just letting him chuck volume (20 FGA's a game) and gave him a ton of minutes. Smells a lot like artificially generated hype.

NAW also doesn't really fill a position of need. He is not an NBA ready starting PG...and right now he doesn't really look like he'll ever be one. He looks like a guard that can handle secondary playmaker role. The Magic already have a secondary playmaker (Fournier) PLUS they just resigned Ross as the back up wing. Aaron Gordon also handled secondary playmaker occasionally. The likelihood that NAW comes in and earns minutes from any of those guys is incredibly low.

At back up PG - Fultz, Augustin and MCW exist. No way he's taking minutes from DJ. Basically his path to minutes at PG would be for Fultz to fail and for him to outplay MCW who was a major factor to the Magic's defense and playoff push.

to me, analytics need to be balanced by scouts that view games and video. actually watch players play. understand their role, their usage.

what did the Magic need? people that could handle the ball, make a play. We were limited to DJ and Evan. that is what was needed and what NAW could provide. could fill in some bench minutes at PF maybe, but also SG or SF.

I find it hilarious the amount of legitimizing Okeke over NAW is taking place. Easy to spot homers that were 100% on board with NAW despite zero information changing between now and draft night.

This isn’t to say I won’t be 100% on board with Okeke moving forward, but let’s just call it what it is. People backing the FO’s decisions whether or not it makes sense. Pulling data to make this case is humorous to say the least.

I find it hilarious the amount of legitimizing NAW over Okeke that is taking place. Easy to spot the haters that are ready to discredit anything Magic related just because the FO didn't agree with their fan level opinion.

The FO judgment was based on tons of analytics PLUS tons of actual scouting in person and tons of video breaking down their games. What's hilarious is people thinking they've done more scouting than a team of NBA caliber scouts that have been researching those guys since they were in high school.

Lets call it what it is, certain people hating on the FO's decision because they are desperate to be right about something since they continuously keep getting proved wrong about pretty much every opinion they give...now that is humorous.

[VFX]

The spin is actually coming from the other direction.

The Magic have draft metrics that no other franchise or any draft analyst have. PLUS guys like Mike Schmidtz, Cole Zwicker and others have raved about how advanced analytics love Okeke.

NAW was not the BPA available by advanced draft metrics, Okeke was better than him:

• PER: NAW 21.9 vs Okeke 24.5
• WS: NAW 5.5 vs Okeke 5.5
• BPM: NAW 9.0 vs Okeke 13.4
• ORtg: NAW 111.9 vs Okeke 121.2
• TS%: NAW .586 vs Okeke .597

What I saw in NAW in SL was that he's not very athletic and doesn't have 1st option ball handler burst; and his passing was reckless.

In 4g / 30.5mpg he put up 24p/5a BUT he did so at a very unimpressive clip: 33 - 80 .410 FG% and with a ton of turn overs (4 per game) and questionable shot selection. Basically the SL Pels were happy just letting him chuck volume (20 FGA's a game) and gave him a ton of minutes. Smells a lot like artificially generated hype.

NAW also doesn't really fill a position of need. He is not an NBA ready starting PG...and right now he doesn't really look like he'll ever be one. He looks like a guard that can handle secondary playmaker role. The Magic already have a secondary playmaker (Fournier) PLUS they just resigned Ross as the back up wing. Aaron Gordon also handled secondary playmaker occasionally. The likelihood that NAW comes in and earns minutes from any of those guys is incredibly low.

At back up PG - Fultz, Augustin and MCW exist. No way he's taking minutes from DJ. Basically his path to minutes at PG would be for Fultz to fail and for him to outplay MCW who was a major factor to the Magic's defense and playoff push.

to me, analytics need to be balanced by scouts that view games and video. actually watch players play. understand their role, their usage.

what did the Magic need? people that could handle the ball, make a play. We were limited to DJ and Evan. that is what was needed and what NAW could provide. could fill in some bench minutes at PF maybe, but also SG or SF.

Except that the Magic have invested heavily in their scouting department, so they DID balance their analytics with scouts. They actually did watch players play, understood their roles and their usage. Did you or any fan scout NAW and Okeke as closely, with as much access than the Magic's team of scouts? I doubt it.

Translation: Orlando’s scouts know better. Stfu, sit back and accept everything without question.

The Magic actually need shooting from the forward position. Neither Gordon, Isaac, or Aminu are natural shooters; Okeke is...and he also happens to profile like an excellent versatile defender.

The Magic don't need ball handling or shooting from the SG position, they have Fournier and Ross.

And he won’t be seeing the court very much if all those players are on the roster. Also, Ross primarily came in for one of AG or Isaac and not Fournier most of the time last season. Getting an upgrade for Fournier (and his expensive contract) isn’t a bad thing either. He was mostly utilized in his playmaking ability further than merely his shooting or scoring prowess (or lack thereof).

What the Magic need is an explosive #1 option in the backcourt, that's not NAW. Even in that SL context vs scrubs he only put up points because of massive volume at a very low efficiency. If DaQuan Jeffries jacked up 20 FGA's per game, he'd also have put up +20 pt games.

The Magic also need a starting caliber PG. That also isn't NAW. He looks like a secondary playmaker in the NBA.

Nobody is arguing any of that. It still needs to be addressed regardless of this lastest draft. Okeke will still provide value.

[Knightro]

Okeke and NAW were both rated pretty similarly. I mean hell they only went 1 pick apart. I don't think there's a whole lot separating the two players.

That said...

Even if Okeke was fully healthy this year, I don't think he or NAW would be cracking the rotation.

The Magic have a lot of money and bodies tied up into a playoff team here. It would be tough for anyone drafted 16th to step right in play from Day 1.

So if neither guy is likely to be in the rotation year 1, you have to ask other questions.

Which guy is more likely to crack the rotation in year 2 and beyond? Which guy affords me more opportunities to make a roster-balancing trade?

Things like that. Okeke and Aminu give the Magic the luxury of being able to trade away Aaron Gordon (who is the most valuable asset Orlando would be willing to give up IMO) for a guard.

[ezzzp]

Translation: Orlando’s scouts know better. Stfu, sit back and accept everything without question.

Translation: Sit back and criticize without actual substance because that's much easier than actually researching and knowing the subject being analyzed better...and if that lack of knowledge gets called out and proven wrong with statistical evidence - then just discredit the math and then discredit the NBA scouting profession.

And he won’t be seeing the court very much if all those players are on the roster. Also, Ross primarily came in for one of AG or Isaac and not Fournier most of the time last season. Getting an upgrade for Fournier (and his expensive contract) isn’t a bad thing either. He was mostly utilized in his playmaking ability further than merely his shooting or scoring prowess (or lack thereof).

...and why would they not be on the roster? They are under contract and are 1000x better players right now. Also, Ross "coming in" for for AG/Isaac/Fournier doesn't change what his role was within the system.

NAW is nowhere near Fournier right now...potential and actual production are not the same thing. One thing is real and proven; the other is a best case scenario fantasy. Fournier having a down year in shooting doesn't negate his career numbers. Those are real and done vs real NBA players and real NBA defensive systems.

[tiderulz]

The spin is actually coming from the other direction.

The Magic have draft metrics that no other franchise or any draft analyst have. PLUS guys like Mike Schmidtz, Cole Zwicker and others have raved about how advanced analytics love Okeke.

NAW was not the BPA available by advanced draft metrics, Okeke was better than him:

• PER: NAW 21.9 vs Okeke 24.5
• WS: NAW 5.5 vs Okeke 5.5
• BPM: NAW 9.0 vs Okeke 13.4
• ORtg: NAW 111.9 vs Okeke 121.2
• TS%: NAW .586 vs Okeke .597

What I saw in NAW in SL was that he's not very athletic and doesn't have 1st option ball handler burst; and his passing was reckless.

In 4g / 30.5mpg he put up 24p/5a BUT he did so at a very unimpressive clip: 33 - 80 .410 FG% and with a ton of turn overs (4 per game) and questionable shot selection. Basically the SL Pels were happy just letting him chuck volume (20 FGA's a game) and gave him a ton of minutes. Smells a lot like artificially generated hype.

NAW also doesn't really fill a position of need. He is not an NBA ready starting PG...and right now he doesn't really look like he'll ever be one. He looks like a guard that can handle secondary playmaker role. The Magic already have a secondary playmaker (Fournier) PLUS they just resigned Ross as the back up wing. Aaron Gordon also handled secondary playmaker occasionally. The likelihood that NAW comes in and earns minutes from any of those guys is incredibly low.

At back up PG - Fultz, Augustin and MCW exist. No way he's taking minutes from DJ. Basically his path to minutes at PG would be for Fultz to fail and for him to outplay MCW who was a major factor to the Magic's defense and playoff push.

to me, analytics need to be balanced by scouts that view games and video. actually watch players play. understand their role, their usage.

what did the Magic need? people that could handle the ball, make a play. We were limited to DJ and Evan. that is what was needed and what NAW could provide. could fill in some bench minutes at PF maybe, but also SG or SF.

Are you implying our front office didnt watch film on NAW and Okeke ? You are crossing the line man. We need ball handling but on a player who will actually crack the rotation. Injured Okeke has similar chance to crack the rotation this year to NAW- almost none. What was one of our biggest problem against Raptors ? Our ballhandlers made too much turnovers. Guess what NAW is more turnover prone than Fournier, DJ, Gordon and Vucevic. You want ball in his hands next season ?

lets get real, Okeke isnt cracking any rotation this year. Could NAW get some time? well, he is healthy, so the odds are better than for Okeke.

[Knightro]

IMO yes. Given how Clifford operated with the rotation last season, and the FO’s goals they have been spouting as their intention.

I was a fan of MCW last season as well, but even if Fultz breaks out, Satoranksy or T. Jones would have been decent acquisitions. Especially IF they chose Okeke over NAW to mitigate addressing the position. Also, DJ expires soon. That’s not to say Aminu and Okeke weren’t also great acquisitions, but it’s doesn't line up unless another pending move is made.

That's fair.

Do you think the Magic will be able to acquire a guard better than Satoransky/Jones/NAW for Gordon?

Aminu and Okeke absolutely feel like precursor moves to a much bigger move. The question is... will Weltman and Hammond pull the trigger when the time comes?

Aaron Gordon and filler for D'Angelo Russell in December makes so much sense it hurts.

[tiderulz]

IMO yes. Given how Clifford operated with the rotation last season, and the FO’s goals they have been spouting as their intention.

I was a fan of MCW last season as well, but even if Fultz breaks out, Satoranksy or T. Jones would have been decent acquisitions. Especially IF they chose Okeke over NAW to mitigate addressing the position. Also, DJ expires soon. That’s not to say Aminu and Okeke weren’t also great acquisitions, but it’s doesn't line up unless another pending move is made.

That's fair.

Do you think the Magic will be able to acquire a guard better than Satoransky/Jones/NAW for Gordon?

Aminu and Okeke absolutely feel like precursor moves to a much bigger move. The question is... will Weltman and Hammond pull the trigger when the time comes?

Aaron Gordon and filler for D'Angelo Russell in December makes so much sense it hurts.

Only if GS wants to make a move. They could just as easily keep DAR, and run Curry/Russell/Klay.

[Knightro]

Only if GS wants to make a move. They could just as easily keep DAR, and run Curry/Russell/Klay.

Well sure... it obviously takes two to tango, but I don't think Curry/Russell/Klay is going to work and I'm not at all convinced the Warriors signed Russell to do anything but keep him.

I think the end goal for GS is to flip him for better fitting pieces.

[ezzzp]

lets get real, Okeke isnt cracking any rotation this year. Could NAW get some time? well, he is healthy, so the odds are better than for Okeke.

Okeke should be back around the All-Star break, could be as soon as mid Dec - early Jan. The NBA season is long, injuries happen a lot...trades happen. Magic FO won't rush him back, but we'll at minimum get a good look at him in the G-L this season.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker doesn't necessarily have an easy path to meaningful minutes:

Ball Handlers/Playmakers: Jrue Holiday, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Frank Jackson
Wings: J.J. Redick, E'Twaun Moore, Josh Hart, Darius Milller

[tiderulz]

lets get real, Okeke isnt cracking any rotation this year. Could NAW get some time? well, he is healthy, so the odds are better than for Okeke.

Okeke should be back around the All-Star break, could be as soon as mid Dec - early Jan. The NBA season is long, injuries happen a lot...trades happen. Magic FO won't rush him back, but we'll at minimum get a good look at him in the G-L this season.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker doesn't necessarily have an easy path to meaningful minutes:

Ball Handlers/Playmakers: Jrue Holiday, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Frank Jackson
Wings: J.J. Redick, E'Twaun Moore, Josh Hart, Darius Milller

i was comparing Okeke here vs NAW here. as for Pelicans, i can see NAW pushing at SF behind Ingram. does he make it, who knows

[Skin]

Okeke and NAW were both rated pretty similarly. I mean hell they only went 1 pick apart. I don't think there's a whole lot separating the two players.

That said...

Even if Okeke was fully healthy this year, I don't think he or NAW would be cracking the rotation.

The Magic have a lot of money and bodies tied up into a playoff team here. It would be tough for anyone drafted 16th to step right in play from Day 1.

So if neither guy is likely to be in the rotation year 1, you have to ask other questions.

Which guy is more likely to crack the rotation in year 2 and beyond? Which guy affords me more opportunities to make a roster-balancing trade?

Things like that. Okeke and Aminu give the Magic the luxury of being able to trade away Aaron Gordon (who is the most valuable asset Orlando would be willing to give up IMO) for a guard.

I like Okeke a lot but I totally disagree with the narrative that Gordon will be a trade asset to get a guard when Okeke is ready.

We ought to keep them both. We can draft a guard. Next year's class is loaded with guards.

[PrimeThyme]

NAW was arguably the most NBA ready prospect in this draft. He is already a very good defender that has a high bball iq with the ability to play make and stretch the floor. I can't really see a world where a player with that skill set wouldn't crack our rotation next year or beyond. Especially with our current guard situation.

Chuma will be lucky to play this year due to injury and likely won't crack the rotation for more than 10-15 minutes next year with our loaded FC. NAW is already showing the ability to play PG so he easily could have been our DJ replacement next year or backup this year if Fultz doesn't play. If I'm supposed to be excited that drafting him means there's a 30% chance he could turn out as good as AG one day so that we can trade one of our best/most important players I'm just not.

[VFX]

IMO yes. Given how Clifford operated with the rotation last season, and the FO’s goals they have been spouting as their intention.

I was a fan of MCW last season as well, but even if Fultz breaks out, Satoranksy or T. Jones would have been decent acquisitions. Especially IF they chose Okeke over NAW to mitigate addressing the position. Also, DJ expires soon. That’s not to say Aminu and Okeke weren’t also great acquisitions, but it’s doesn't line up unless another pending move is made.

That's fair.

Do you think the Magic will be able to acquire a guard better than Satoransky/Jones/NAW for Gordon?

Aminu and Okeke absolutely feel like precursor moves to a much bigger move. The question is... will Weltman and Hammond pull the trigger when the time comes?

Aaron Gordon and filler for D'Angelo Russell in December makes so much sense it hurts.

Absolutely. And I get where you are going with this..

Having the pg depth isn’t an issue even if Fultz pans out. DJ will be gone and they could split the minutes between the three of them. NAW would have been a great replacement for Fournier and his absurd contract per value return.

I agree with your assessment on the precursors taking place.

[Magic4champ]

im not sure on Okeke's ball handling and if you cant handle the ball very well, you arent going to be that big a play maker. unless i read that wrong and you meant Vuc's playmaking skills

Sorry if you misread it, it's Vooch playmaking skills our unicorn center. Our passing bigman who shoots the 3 ball and the fulcrum of our offense. With him and Okeke they complement each other in terms of speed of the game and movement in the half court. Also their sizes complement in defense as okeke has a nose for anticipation and reading the enemies offense.

Except Vuc isnt a unicorn center. What exactly about him do you think makes him a unicorn? as for size, OKeke is actually closer to SG/SF but without those skills other than set shot

Unicorn - defined as 7 footer, who can shoot from 3, defend the paint, make the right plays and rebound. SI gave Nowitski as the 1st unicorns, Porzingis, Durant, Embiid, KAT, Anthony Davis as examples. So for me Voooch is our unicorn however they define them. Also Bamba has the potential to also become a future unicorn.
As for size 6-8 is good, with great wingspan. OKEKE has good shooting and passing skills. He moves effectively without the ball and plays within a system.

[SOUL]

Read on Twitter

Interesting. Probably nothing because of the injury but yeah.

[tiderulz]

Sorry if you misread it, it's Vooch playmaking skills our unicorn center. Our passing bigman who shoots the 3 ball and the fulcrum of our offense. With him and Okeke they complement each other in terms of speed of the game and movement in the half court. Also their sizes complement in defense as okeke has a nose for anticipation and reading the enemies offense.

Except Vuc isnt a unicorn center. What exactly about him do you think makes him a unicorn? as for size, OKeke is actually closer to SG/SF but without those skills other than set shot

Unicorn - defined as 7 footer, who can shoot from 3, defend the paint, make the right plays and rebound. SI gave Nowitski as the 1st unicorns, Porzingis, Durant, Embiid, KAT, Anthony Davis as examples. So for me Voooch is our unicorn however they define them. Also Bamba has the potential to also become a future unicorn.
As for size 6-8 is good, with great wingspan. OKEKE has good shooting and passing skills. He moves effectively without the ball and plays within a system.

unicorn usually defined as a one of a kind having attributes no one else has. How is Vuc different from Lopez? Marc Gasol? Embiid? Horford? KAT?