Official 2025 Offseason Thread

[jezzerinho]

The bottom line is that I’m not the one living in delusional land because I don’t buy the most risk averse GM in history is going to trade 5 firsts for Trey Murphy, who is the opposite of Bridges in durability.

Even if that’s just an example off the top of your head, this roster is comprised of a bunch of young dudes that are wildly inconsistent. Orlando remains to have one of the worst benches in the league IMO. Even worse now with Moe Wagner coming off an injury.

Weltman and ownership aren’t going to put this roster in a position where they are lacking serious assets and depth, while operating within the first apron if they can avoid it.

It’s like we are talking about this team existing in LA and being operated by LeBron and Palinka. Let’s be serious here.

Weltman was risk adverse previously because, right or wrong, he felt like that was the best course of action at that time.

The Magic won 47 games in 23-24 with Suggs/Harris/Franz/Paolo/Carter - Cole/Fultz/Ingles/Isaac/Moritz rotation. They had Black waiting in the wings and the cap space to add a starting caliber player.

The team hadn't experienced any sort of plateau or setback in their upward trajectory coming into last summer, so Weltman felt the best course of action was to double down on what worked the year before and upgrade the Harris spot with KCP.

Whether you agree with it or not, that was - at a bare minimum - at least an understandable course of action.

It's not the one I would have taken, but when you improve from 22 wins to 34 wins to 47 wins over a three year period, you don't necessarily HAVE to make any sweeping changes.

But now they HAVE experienced that plateau and that setback. And the GM has come out and openly said that's not acceptable and they must make moves to improve the roster, we're still sitting here acting like the guy is going to sit around with his thumb in his ass?

It doesn't make sense.

I'll revise my opinion of Weltman to some degree if he

Wins a trade or at least doesn't get fleeced
Gets in a player with the skillset of greatest need
That player goes on to be productive on this team.

We'll see. I have my reservations.

[Skybox]

This is where we disagree.

I think they ARE absolutely backed into a corner despite having their 3 main guys locked up for the foreseeable future. It just depends to which degree you believe they can make changes considering the state of the roster and cap space.

Sure, they have picks. However, they have a bunch of negative values assets that require picks to move. Orlando also has to match or have less money coming in depending on the other moves Weltman makes.

It’s not necessarily believing that they don’t have a great foundation. It’s that in order for it all to work they need to acquire the correct role players to surround those 3 guys with. Not only that, but they need an entirely new bench in my estimation. Not an easy task considering the cap implications and the asset value at hand.

Picks sweeten the deal(s) for decent starters and good bench guys the money still needs to match. Also, those picks are more valuable to Orlando given the cap space and restricted trade value.

If you believe in Paolo/Franz/Suggs as a core group, you should be encouraged more than discouraged because it's a whole hell of a lot easier to find players 4 thru 10 in a rotation than it is to find players 1-3.

I would even go a step further and say that the terms of Suggs' deal might even allow him to be 3B...as high as his salary is next year, it drops steeply unlike Garland and, especially Bane's which gets really high. I think Bane is a great player, but so is Lavine-until he becomes a "negative value" solely due to his deal...it's a common curse but never was more damaging than under the current CBA.

Anybody would agree Bane is a very good player, so is JJJ - but give them massive deals and you can really spot the deficiencies in their games. Suggs' deal doesn't put him into that category. It would be tight, but we could, essentially, have two guys at his level, in addition to the two max guys...if we're careful with the rest of the roster...which we haven't needed to be and weren't

[MasterGMer]

The whole league is trying to figure out how to sustain the roster for contention or future contention. Same with Orlando.

The question once 26-27 season hits, it is how can we afford this roster because with Paolo's Rookie max kicking in, we are going to be above 2nd apron.

The NBA Playoffs taught me a lesson, right now to contend in the league, "Depth" is more important than ever, which means even we locked in Paolo, Franz and Suggs, we will be trying to figure out how to piece positive players around our core. Then salary and salary is going to be more important than ever also

IMO I value KCP's contract with us and Moe could have a new contract this summer but I hope it is a bargain for us. Do we give AB a rookie extension? Well, it is going to be expensive. What about Cole, JI and Wendell? We will see.

We have some serious discussions this coming summer. Do we go after Simons, Sexton and Coby White plus extend them to a large contract? I don't see it.

I am more leaning towards a bigger move. But that move might jeopardize our "Core". We will see that also

[Bensational]

Poole just makes too many “what in the actual hell were you thinking?!” moments every single game. Even when he was with the Warriors he took ill-advised shots. All he has to hang his hat on is one good post season run with the Warriors in their championship season, where Poole was the 6th man for that playoff run. He was basically what Pritchard/Ty Jerome have been. His playoff stats from his last season in GSW show just how bad he can be and why they moved him first and foremost to save money.

That said, can’t believe he’s only 25 still, *and* he can truly light up a scoreboard on a good night. 9.5 attempts from 3 per night is definitely something the Magic could use, but the 3 TOs and 3 PFs are an easy pass.

[Skybox]

The whole league is trying to figure out how to sustain the roster for contention. Same with Orlando.

The question once 26-27 season hits, it is how can we afford this roster because with Paolo's Rookie max kicking in, we are going to be above 2nd apron.

The NBA Playoffs taught me a lesson, right now to contend in the league, "Depth" is more important than ever, which means even we locked in Paolo, Franz and Suggs, we will be trying to figure out how to piece positive players around our core. Then salary and salary is going to be more important than ever.

IMO I value KCP's contract with us and Moe could have a new contract this summer but I hope it is a bargain for us. Do we give AB a rookie extension? Well, it is going to be expensive. What about Cole, JI and Wendell? We will see.

We have some serious discussions this coming summer. Do we go after Simons, Sexton and Coby White plus extend them to a large contract? I don't see it.

I am more leaning towards a bigger move. But that move might jeopardize our "Core". We will see that also

AB's possible extension could become a real point of contention around here...I thought Franz was overpaid - but he definitely played up to it. Suggs is in a similar spot - if he reverts to his one exceptional year of shooting and continues his elite defense - it could even be a bargain. AB is NOT anywhere near that level. I'm really supportive of him, but it could be a massive hurdle to give him more than $12-15m per, imo...it would probably be in both sides' best interest to wait as long as possible to discuss this as he may "click" any moment and take a big leap - but we'd best not assume it's coming without evidence. NO doubt in my mind that he's a good player, but how good is still a big question with a very wide margin of error.

[Skybox]

Poole just makes too many “what in the actual hell were you thinking?!” moments every single game. Even when he was with the Warriors he took ill-advised shots. All he has to hang his hat on is one good post season run with the Warriors in their championship season, where Poole was the 6th man for that playoff run. He was basically what Pritchard/Ty Jerome have been. His playoff stats from his last season in GSW show just how bad he can be and why they moved him first and foremost to save money.

That said, can’t believe he’s only 25 still, *and* he can truly light up a scoreboard on a good night. 9.5 attempts from 3 per night is definitely something the Magic could use, but the 3 TOs and 3 PFs are an easy pass.

Tricky situation...definitely a bet...but I like Knightro's analysis of the limited downside potential. I'm kind of tired of our "great shooters" that won't take a damn shot - AB, WCJ, Harris...I can live with one that leans a bit far the other way to offset it. At least we know Poole won't throw 3 pump fakes while wide open at the three point line and then drive into a crowd.

[Knightro]

The question once 26-27 season hits, it is how can we afford this roster because with Paolo's Rookie max kicking in, we are going to be above 2nd apron.

Being in the 2nd apron one season isn't a problem IMO. It's also very likely to be unavoidable for 26-27 given the circumstances.

But depending on what they do, they should be able to get back out of the 2nd apron after one year without much trouble.

[VFX]

This feels a little more like fan perception than reality. We all want them to get better, but they're not backed into a corner I don't think.

The Magic have their three best players signed for 5+ years each and plenty of avenues to get better with their full collection of picks, swaps and non-essential pieces on movable deals.

This is where we disagree.

I think they ARE absolutely backed into a corner despite having their 3 main guys locked up for the foreseeable future. It just depends to which degree you believe they can make changes considering the state of the roster and cap space.

Sure, they have picks. However, they have a bunch of negative values assets that require picks to move. Orlando also has to match or have less money coming in depending on the other moves Weltman makes.

It’s not necessarily believing that they don’t have a great foundation. It’s that in order for it all to work they need to acquire the correct role players to surround those 3 guys with. Not only that, but they need an entirely new bench in my estimation. Not an easy task considering the cap implications and the asset value at hand.

Picks sweeten the deal(s) for decent starters and good bench guys the money still needs to match. Also, those picks are more valuable to Orlando given the cap space and restricted trade value.

This is literally the entire league is facing except we cemented our Core. Isn't that good news?

Boston is coming apart this offseason, so is Cleveland. Including teams like Minnesota. OKC needs to figure out how afford the roster in 2 years when Jalen Williams and Chet's rookie extension coming up. Yet, we are good and locked in our Top 3 guys plus have all the draft capitals to improve the roster. Good news? Or bad news?

Kinda, but not really.

This is like saying the Pacers are good because they have Haliburton, Siakam, and Myles Turner. Sure, that puts them in the conversation, but it means nothing if they don’t have Nembhard, Neismith, Toppin, McConnell, and Sheppard as a supporting cast.

The teams you named have to make decisions on guys because they have TOO MANY assets. That’s the opposite problem Orlando has right now. You could get rid of their entire bench unit + KCP AND AB and I wouldn’t even think twice about it.

And again, draft capital only means something if you are attaching assets in the form of equal value contract money in a package. You can’t just straight up trade 5 picks for a guy that costs $35m to this roster. My point is that Orlando CAN combine any number of bad contracts plus picks for A player. The Magic aren’t A player away from rounding things out.

[MasterGMer]

This is where we disagree.

I think they ARE absolutely backed into a corner despite having their 3 main guys locked up for the foreseeable future. It just depends to which degree you believe they can make changes considering the state of the roster and cap space.

Sure, they have picks. However, they have a bunch of negative values assets that require picks to move. Orlando also has to match or have less money coming in depending on the other moves Weltman makes.

It’s not necessarily believing that they don’t have a great foundation. It’s that in order for it all to work they need to acquire the correct role players to surround those 3 guys with. Not only that, but they need an entirely new bench in my estimation. Not an easy task considering the cap implications and the asset value at hand.

Picks sweeten the deal(s) for decent starters and good bench guys the money still needs to match. Also, those picks are more valuable to Orlando given the cap space and restricted trade value.

This is literally the entire league is facing except we cemented our Core. Isn't that good news?

Boston is coming apart this offseason, so is Cleveland. Including teams like Minnesota. OKC needs to figure out how afford the roster in 2 years when Jalen Williams and Chet's rookie extension coming up. Yet, we are good and locked in our Top 3 guys plus have all the draft capitals to improve the roster. Good news? Or bad news?

Kinda, but not really.

This is like saying the Pacers are good because they have Haliburton, Siakam, and Myles Turner. Sure, that puts them in the conversation, but it means nothing if they don’t have Nembhard, Neismith, Toppin, McConnell, and Sheppard as a supporting cast.

The teams you named have to make decisions on guys because they have TOO MANY assets. That’s the opposite problem Orlando has right now. You could get rid of their entire bench unit + KCP AND AB and I wouldn’t even think twice about it.

And again, draft capital only means something if you are attaching assets in the form of equal value contract money in a package. You can’t just straight up trade 5 picks for a guy that costs $35m. My point is that Orlando CAN combine any number of bad contracts plus picks for A player. The Magic aren’t A player away from rounding things out.

Like I mentioned before, I really think KCP’s past season was an anomaly. He is a career 39%+ 3pt shooter btw and how come he just got so bad this season. Well, there could be reasons but I still think it is an anomaly.

Everyone knows JI put on 30 lbs of weight last offseason. Could that be the reason for his ineffectiveness this past season and playoffs? Could that, again, be an anomaly since everyone knows full strength JI is elite in defense

Also guys like Cole. Since his third season, his role changed once he got hurt and we got in Franz and Paolo. Maybe his attitude changed. Plus he is wildly inconsistent. This playoffs he showed except the Playin, he was horrible turning the ball over again and again. So something wrong? Tbh I am a Cole fan. I think the bench role fits him perfectly, but he has to find the fit and mentality plus do it well.

My whole point is we could be vastly undervaluing our bench plus our role players quite a bit. I said we could.

Again I don’t think we should all wait till things turn around. But as an executive, we should be a whole lot like a salesman plus smarter

A move or two is needed. Until we get all healthy, the knee jerk reaction won’t take us any higher. We should then in our full strength


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Knightro]

As far as I'm concerned, a huge tax bill is inevitable for 2026-2027. It won't really be possible to avoid.

They key is having the flexibility to easily pivot in the summer of 2027.

[Knightro]

This is like saying the Pacers are good because they have Haliburton, Siakam, and Myles Turner. Sure, that puts them in the conversation, but it means nothing if they don’t have Nembhard, Neismith, Toppin, McConnell, and Sheppard as a supporting cast.

But again, those guys are a lot easier to acquire.

Haliburton cost them a multi-time all-star. Siakam cost them multiple first round picks.

Nembhard they drafted at 31. Sheppard they drafted at 26. McConnell they signed basically off the scrap heap for $3.5M a year originally.

Neismith and Toppin were guys they acquired for basically nothing.

Like I said, if you believe in what the Magic have going on core wise, you should be encouraged because it's not difficult to fill out a roster once you have the main guys.

[VFX]

This is like saying the Pacers are good because they have Haliburton, Siakam, and Myles Turner. Sure, that puts them in the conversation, but it means nothing if they don’t have Nembhard, Neismith, Toppin, McConnell, and Sheppard as a supporting cast.

But again, those guys are a lot easier to acquire.

Haliburton cost them a multi-time all-star. Siakam cost them multiple first round picks.

Nembhard they drafted at 31. Sheppard they drafted at 26. McConnell they signed basically off the scrap heap for $3.5M a year originally.

Neismith and Toppin were guys they acquired for basically nothing.

Like I said, if you believe in what the Magic have going on core wise, you should be encouraged because it's not difficult to fill out a roster once you have the main guys.

Are they?

Then why hasn’t Weltman assembled any semblance of a solid starting 5 plus a bench?

Is he going to do this all in one offseason?

Orlando is still looking for a starting point guard and a starting Center before they even start thinking about decent bench players.

I’m encouraged by the core and discouraged by how Weltman makes it all work within the confines of the cap situation + aprons.

[VFX]

This is literally the entire league is facing except we cemented our Core. Isn't that good news?

Boston is coming apart this offseason, so is Cleveland. Including teams like Minnesota. OKC needs to figure out how afford the roster in 2 years when Jalen Williams and Chet's rookie extension coming up. Yet, we are good and locked in our Top 3 guys plus have all the draft capitals to improve the roster. Good news? Or bad news?

Kinda, but not really.

This is like saying the Pacers are good because they have Haliburton, Siakam, and Myles Turner. Sure, that puts them in the conversation, but it means nothing if they don’t have Nembhard, Neismith, Toppin, McConnell, and Sheppard as a supporting cast.

The teams you named have to make decisions on guys because they have TOO MANY assets. That’s the opposite problem Orlando has right now. You could get rid of their entire bench unit + KCP AND AB and I wouldn’t even think twice about it.

And again, draft capital only means something if you are attaching assets in the form of equal value contract money in a package. You can’t just straight up trade 5 picks for a guy that costs $35m. My point is that Orlando CAN combine any number of bad contracts plus picks for A player. The Magic aren’t A player away from rounding things out.

Like I mentioned before, I really think KCP’s past season was an anomaly. He is a career 39%+ 3pt shooter btw and how come he just got so bad this season. Well, there could be reasons but I still think it is an anomaly.

Everyone knows JI put on 30 lbs of weight last offseason. Could that be the reason for his ineffectiveness this past season and playoffs? Could that, again, be an anomaly since everyone knows full strength JI is elite in defense

Also guys like Cole. Since his third season, his role changed once he got hurt and we got in Franz and Paolo. Maybe his attitude changed. Plus he is wildly inconsistent. This playoffs he showed except the Playin, he was horrible turning the ball over again and again. So something wrong? Tbh I am a Cole fan. I think the bench role fits him perfectly, but he has to find the fit and mentality plus do it well.

My whole point is we could be vastly undervaluing our bench plus our role players quite a bit. I said we could.

Again I don’t think we should all wait till things turn around. But as an executive, we should be a whole lot like a salesman plus smarter

A move or two is needed. Until we get all healthy, the knee jerk reaction won’t take us any higher. We should then in our full strength


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh so we are acting as an apologist to all the terrible decisions Weltman has made?

I don’t give a single **** whether KCP’s season was an anomaly. He is harder to move now, expensive, and is coming off the bench if they actually find a starting point guard. Huge waste of money if he isn’t moved now. His contract prevents Orlando from operating within the threshold of the first apron if they decide to acquire someone.

Who cares about Isaac. He’s a one way player playing behind Orlando’s best at 40+mpg. He’s $15m on a team needing offense that he doesn’t provide. There are so many better ways to spend that money and we didn’t. Like we spend $15m on Isaac and Corey Joseph is the starting point guard when Suggs is out. Give me a goddamn break please.

Cole did absolutely nothing last season in his role and fell off a cliff while making $13m… again, another complete waste of money instead of paying players that are consistent. TJ McConnell is $10m and does one thousand percent more. Neismith is $11m and Cole Anthony is unplayable in the playoffs.

I’m not undervaluing anything. Weltman overvalued mediocrity.

Like I’m going to argue with you on the merits of terrible bench garbage and then you concoct some ridiculous trade involving Franz and twelve picks for Giannis. Nobody here is living in reality.

[Knightro]

Are they?

Then why hasn’t Weltman assembled any semblance of a solid starting 5 plus a bench?

Is he going to do this all in one offseason?

Orlando is still looking for a starting point guard and a starting Center before they even start thinking about decent bench players.

I’m encouraged by the core and discouraged by how Weltman makes it all work within the confines of the cap situation + aprons.

Yes, they are.

You're actually arguing a different thing than you think IMO.

"I don't think Weltman is capable of filling out the roster because he's incompetent."

is not the same thing is as...

"It's difficult to fill out the roster."

You think Weltman sucks. That's fine. I mostly do too. But I don't think filling out a roster is all that difficult if your GM is willing to be aggressive and I believe Weltman is willing to be aggressive based on what he said after the season ended.

[VFX]

Are they?

Then why hasn’t Weltman assembled any semblance of a solid starting 5 plus a bench?

Is he going to do this all in one offseason?

Orlando is still looking for a starting point guard and a starting Center before they even start thinking about decent bench players.

I’m encouraged by the core and discouraged by how Weltman makes it all work within the confines of the cap situation + aprons.

Yes, they are.

You're actually arguing a different thing than you think IMO.

"I don't think Weltman is capable of filling out the roster because he's incompetent."

is not the same thing is as...

"It's difficult to fill out the roster."

You think Weltman sucks. That's fine. I mostly do too. But I don't think filling out a roster is all that difficult if your GM is willing to be aggressive and I believe Weltman is willing to be aggressive based on what he said after the season ended.

I’ll just leave this at WE WILL SEE

Which is where I left it at the beginning of THIS season when I said KCP was a stupid as **** acquisition and that Franz and Paolo are not lead ball handlers at the expense of a point guard. WELL WE SAW didn’t we?

Maybe you are right.

Maybe Weltman for the first time since 2020 will make a plethora of really dynamic trades that equalize the roster without mortgaging the future to the point that he doesn’t have to turn it over again in 1-2 seasons. Even if he does, it makes him look like an idiot for not doing something sooner. But.. WE WILL SEE.

[MasterGMer]

Kinda, but not really.

This is like saying the Pacers are good because they have Haliburton, Siakam, and Myles Turner. Sure, that puts them in the conversation, but it means nothing if they don’t have Nembhard, Neismith, Toppin, McConnell, and Sheppard as a supporting cast.

The teams you named have to make decisions on guys because they have TOO MANY assets. That’s the opposite problem Orlando has right now. You could get rid of their entire bench unit + KCP AND AB and I wouldn’t even think twice about it.

And again, draft capital only means something if you are attaching assets in the form of equal value contract money in a package. You can’t just straight up trade 5 picks for a guy that costs $35m. My point is that Orlando CAN combine any number of bad contracts plus picks for A player. The Magic aren’t A player away from rounding things out.

Like I mentioned before, I really think KCP’s past season was an anomaly. He is a career 39%+ 3pt shooter btw and how come he just got so bad this season. Well, there could be reasons but I still think it is an anomaly.

Everyone knows JI put on 30 lbs of weight last offseason. Could that be the reason for his ineffectiveness this past season and playoffs? Could that, again, be an anomaly since everyone knows full strength JI is elite in defense

Also guys like Cole. Since his third season, his role changed once he got hurt and we got in Franz and Paolo. Maybe his attitude changed. Plus he is wildly inconsistent. This playoffs he showed except the Playin, he was horrible turning the ball over again and again. So something wrong? Tbh I am a Cole fan. I think the bench role fits him perfectly, but he has to find the fit and mentality plus do it well.

My whole point is we could be vastly undervaluing our bench plus our role players quite a bit. I said we could.

Again I don’t think we should all wait till things turn around. But as an executive, we should be a whole lot like a salesman plus smarter

A move or two is needed. Until we get all healthy, the knee jerk reaction won’t take us any higher. We should then in our full strength


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh so we are acting as an apologist to all the terrible decisions Weltman has made?

I don’t give a single **** whether KCP’s season was an anomaly. He is harder to move now, expensive, and is coming off the bench if they actually find a starting point guard. Huge waste of money if he isn’t moved now. His contract prevents Orlando from operating within the threshold of the first apron if they decide to acquire someone.

Who cares about Isaac. He’s a one way player playing behind Orlando’s best at 40+mpg. He’s $15m on a team needing offense that he doesn’t provide. There are so many better ways to spend that money and we didn’t. Like we spend $15m on Isaac and Corey Joseph is the starting point guard when Suggs is out. Give me a goddamn break please.

Cole did absolutely nothing last season in his role and fell off a cliff while making $13m… again, another complete waste of money instead of paying players that are consistent. TJ McConnell is $10m and does one thousand percent more. Neismith is $11m and Cole Anthony is unplayable in the playoffs.

I’m not undervaluing anything. Weltman overvalued mediocrity.

Like I’m going to argue with you on the merits of terrible bench garbage and then you concoct some ridiculous trade involving Franz and twelve picks for Giannis. Nobody here is living in reality.

I said "We could be undervaluing"

Giannis right now is just a wish for me. First of all that, even I, agree it would be expensive, very expensive. Plus a big move like that could involve a guy like Franz. I am not pushing it or even advocating it. Like I said also, it will be Giannis choice to go to a certain team and he will dictate it. And I doubt that is Orlando.

[RichCollab]

This could be the pivotal offseason. We make a big mistake and the setback could kill 2 to 3 years.

We make the right decisions we are top 3 in the East the next 2 to 3 seasons and then Finals.

[Bensational]

This is like saying the Pacers are good because they have Haliburton, Siakam, and Myles Turner. Sure, that puts them in the conversation, but it means nothing if they don’t have Nembhard, Neismith, Toppin, McConnell, and Sheppard as a supporting cast.

I actually think we’ve got a bunch of guys who would thrive in Indiana and as part of a ball-moving team game - but we don’t have a Haliburton, Nembhard or even McConnell setting the kind of pace they do, and the Magic don’t have the culture of working the pass like Indiana does.

Suggs, Black, KCP, Houstan would all thrive on that team. Jett would probably be unlocked in that kind of system. Even WCJ probably clicks with them.

Unfortunately none of Suggs/Paolo/Franz are running an offense like Haliburton so we need to go find that. A Josh Giddey s&t would be like winning the lottery for me.

[Skybox]

This could be the pivotal offseason. We make a big mistake and the setback could kill 2 to 3 years.

We make the right decisions we are top 3 in the East the next 2 to 3 seasons and then Finals.

Agree...but I'd add a third: Do too little or nothing and be setback for 2 or 3 years

[pepe1991]

Twist narrative as much as you want, reality is different.

Being in charge of same team from 8 years, and systematically ignoring PG position, the most important position in basketball from day one to present day (finally) caught up with Weltman.

What all the contenders this year had in common? Star guard. Who plays in finals? Two out of top 5-ish best PGs in nba. Who is MVP - guard. Among top 4 best players in the world- 2 are guards.


The way he sorted up contracts tells you a lot.

2024-25 salary floor was $140M, luxury tax was $170M. He went right in between with $154M

2025-26 salary cap projection was $154M, luxury tax at $188M, first apron $195M

Magic would be $186M team with 11 guaranteed players + Moe Wagner ($186M total) + Houstan (2,1M) = $ 189 034 241.
Draft pick + fillers= right at a verge of first apron, or slightly at first apron.


Going forward, looking at cap, he also handed so many team options to squeeze whole group into 2026-27 to once again stay at first apron or bit above it, once Banchero's contract kicks in.


Now most important question is why.

Given how team was constructed and how he rushed to resign Carter, Goga, Harris, Moe , Isaac only logical conclusion is : he thought he has contending team on his hands last summer.

And this is where whole plan goes off the grid.

Yes, they won 47 games. Being fully healthy. And still lost in first round. Winning 47 games wasn't anything special, that record wasn't even top 10 in nba. This year on West 47 games wasn't enough to make playoffs.
He turned blind eye on how those 47 wins were collected. By beating s***y team and sucking against good teams all the time.

47 wins team that is re-signing everybody probably shouldn't have 19-28 record vs winning teams if goal is contend. Because in playoffs you probably won't meet 16-66 Wizards in first round.
Half of a roster had career years and team was still not good enough to win playoff series. Mind you, not some uber elite opponent, rather team that will get bounced in next round in 5 games.


Next season starts, people get hurt, Magic continue to suck against good teams. 12-25. Wins go from 47 to 41.
Mid season trade deadline passes by. Nothing on roster is fixed. It's just same group of overrated role players who got overpaid declining ("shocking" ) after playing above their heads in contract years as they reverting back to pumpkins.
Playoffs roll, offense is disaster, Celtics managed to sit out two starters and beat you, you have nothing from bench. Same Celtics, but with Jrue, are eliminated in very next round. Once again proving Magic opponent in playoffs wasn't that impressive at all. (by the time Tatum got hurt, Celtics were already down 3-1 ).



And now, after ignoring PG position for 8 years, after squeezing $71M in cap space for PF/C position in 24-25 alone (Goga, Carter, Banchero, Isaac and Moe) you come to realization you have no PG but also not starting C ? Tough f***ing luck.

Teams low blowed you at deadline ? Tough f****ing luck.

Not doing your job for 8 years, sniffing nose, pretending to be smartest person in nba, with 0 playoff series won, 6 out of 8 losing seasons, doing parade with Jabari Smith thinking you are new Danny Ainge, not picking up calls, telling people how draft flattened out as other teams pull playoff starters after you, using second round picks as cannon fodders, missing on multiple superstar star guards in every second draft you FINALLY have to make sense of your rosters ? How da f*** this clown kept job for near decade?

And here we are talking about some bum from 18-64 Wizards who got K.O.ed by Draymoond Green.
Talking about some D level role players and Colin Sexton who's best part of his game is his prefix of his surname.

Daydreaming about Derrick White , who this moron could have drafted in 2017 but remember folks, 25# pick in 2017 flattened out = Derrick White 29# pick from same draft

Spoiler:

But no. From 2019- 2024 we had to pretend Fultz is " all star we had all along" because as*sniffer has too fragile ego to admit trade f**k up, man up, and move on.

And now you are telling me he has to make multiple trades and new salary allocation after spending 8 years doing below minimum ?

Same guy who drafted Okeke at 15# just to avoid paying another guy ?
Now your FA target is NAW? Now folks talk about Jordan Poole and Ty Jerome? Guess what ? He could have drafted ALL OF THEM but he drafted only guy who agreed to not sign nba contract. Because that was only important part of that draft for him


How about Ayo, McBride, Herb Jones, Brandon Boston Jr, or Aaron Wiggins? Would be handy ? Well tough f***ing luck, he traded 33# pick for 2026- second round pick (Pistons) .

FFS we talk about guy who drafted Bamba over Shai and MIkal Bridges on team with 0 guards.

He didn't even want to rebuild, players just walked out on him and he landed good return in trade-outs in Franz, got lucky and won lottery and Banchero. Take Franz out of this roster and floor and ceiling would be 40 wins.