Official Summer 2024 Magic Free Agency and Trade Ideas Thread 3.0

[Knightro]

Again, Klay isn't my first choice, but I am so overwhelmingly against Fultz and Gary and Ingles returning at this point that I'm willing to make some tough decisions.

[Knightro]

Fultz, Gary and Chuma and Ingles combine to make $46M.

Could the Magic get some 2-player combination of Malik Monk, Tyus Jones, Nic Claxton, Grayson Allen, Isaiah Hartenstein for $46M?

I think so!

[zaymon]

Fultz, Gary and Chuma and Ingles combine to make $46M.

Could the Magic get some 2-player combination of Malik Monk, Tyus Jones, Nic Claxton, Grayson Allen, Isaiah Hartenstein for $46M?

I think so!

and Klay Thompson. We also trade for one of Young, Booker, Mitchell and we contend starting next season....... looks like a dream.

[Bergmaniac]

For me it’s all about money if he wants a max **** no. If he is willing to sign a 1+1 or a 2+1 then would consider it. Even if it’s high AAV. This really smells like an agent trying to drive up a price.

Klay is not getting the max or anything close to it from any team. For a 10+ year vet like him the max is around 50 mln. per year in the first year of the contract and rising after that. No team would give him this kind of money at this stage of his career.

[bigdogdylan5]

I'm not particularly concerned about the AAV so much as I am about years on a free agent contract.

Any free agent on a 1 or 2 year deal at basically any price point is ultimately fine and not particularly damaging to the cap sheet.

Well we gotta be careful right if we max him out even on a 2+1 that could possibly hamper our flexibility and get us closer to the tax apron. Like depending on what we do with Isaac we would be at 104M. Let’s say we give Goga 10M that puts us at 114M. Max for Klay would be like 48 I think. That would put us right below tax level with no other moves. I think we would be fine but it would definitely hamper flexibility. Matching salary flexibility for trades having players in the middle adding up to a big number is ideal (Harris and Cole).

So let’s say we do that at 48 for Klay and a PG making 30-40 comes available for trade. We would have to give up Isaac and Anthony if we let go of Harris which is likely just for salary to match and then after that trade we could be pushing aprons.

This is not say not to do it but if they don’t I think it will be because they want to keep flex open for 1 or 2 trades.

[thelead]

I’d rather spend the money on younger guys.

Isaiah Hartenstein, Malik Monk, and trade WCJ + other stuff for another guard like Dejounte or Simons.

Now, if Klay wants to join for a 1+1 on ~15 mil, it wouldn’t be the end of the world… but we’re getting dangerously close to paying big money on our younger guys to be messing around with guys like Klay.

NYK knows Hartenstein is never fully healthy. He is lile WCJ in some ways. Better get another big

I’m fine with other FA’s too but I don’t want to waste our last few years of cap space on guys that won’t be around in 2+ years. We should be loading up on quality players in their primes if we can’t land a star guard.

[Knightro]

Well we gotta be careful right if we max him out even on a 2+1 that could possibly hamper our flexibility and get us closer to the tax apron. Like depending on what we do with Isaac we would be at 104M. Let’s say we give Goga 10M that puts us at 114M. Max for Klay would be like 48 I think. That would put us right below tax level with no other moves. I think we would be fine but it would definitely hamper flexibility. Matching salary flexibility for trades having players in the middle adding up to a big number is ideal (Harris and Cole).

So let’s say we do that at 48 for Klay and a PG making 30-40 comes available for trade. We would have to give up Isaac and Anthony if we let go of Harris which is likely just for salary to match and then after that trade we could be pushing aprons.

This is not say not to do it but if they don’t I think it will be because they want to keep flex open for 1 or 2 trades.

I agree with you, but I don't think Klay is getting anything close to a max though. Not even on a short-term deal.

I'd expect him to come in the $20-30M per year range, not $48M.

[eyriq]

The Klay smoke could just be dot connecting, but it makes sense.

He's the kind of signing that doesn't threaten the young core, provides shooting, provides experience, and utilizes the pre-extension cap space.

I'd prefer Claxton though.

I agree. There is a mix of youngsters I wouldn't mind either.

Yet, you can't deny the pedigree of a Klay. He would be instantly respected on the court for any game he would play. Stuff him opposite to Paolo and Franz and the lane should open up quite a bit.

The other issue with that step 1 - step profit is figuring out where our high picks sit in with that.

I also suppose we could get rid of Cole if warranted.

I'm rooting against any young backcourt addition, or any backcourt player in their prime for that matter. We've already invested three lottery picks into the backcourt, ya know? Blocking them would be a misuse of assets and short-sighted. We make fun of Weltman's evaluation mode but when you have so much lottery talent it's really the best approach.

I'd break out the team building approach into two builds, the frontcourt and backcourt.

The frontcourt build is pretty solid. Franz and Paolo are locks to start and the only lotto talent. Using the pre-extension cap space to upgrade our starting center makes sense.

The backcourt build is wide open. AB, Jett, and Suggs are all looking for significant roles. Suggs is a beast, evaluation done. AB and Jett need PT and evaluation. Blocking them stymies their development and lowers the backcourt's ceiling. I hope our decision making is focused on maximizing our backcourt's long-term potential.

[Furinkazan]

Well we gotta be careful right if we max him out even on a 2+1 that could possibly hamper our flexibility and get us closer to the tax apron. Like depending on what we do with Isaac we would be at 104M. Let’s say we give Goga 10M that puts us at 114M. Max for Klay would be like 48 I think. That would put us right below tax level with no other moves. I think we would be fine but it would definitely hamper flexibility. Matching salary flexibility for trades having players in the middle adding up to a big number is ideal (Harris and Cole).

So let’s say we do that at 48 for Klay and a PG making 30-40 comes available for trade. We would have to give up Isaac and Anthony if we let go of Harris which is likely just for salary to match and then after that trade we could be pushing aprons.

This is not say not to do it but if they don’t I think it will be because they want to keep flex open for 1 or 2 trades.

I agree with you, but I don't think Klay is getting anything close to a max though. Not even on a short-term deal.

I'd expect him to come in the $20-30M per year range, not $48M.

from Warriors yes I think he would take such deal....
from Magic... I think it would have to be an overpay around 35-40 and thats just not worth it..

[orlando_joe]

Well we gotta be careful right if we max him out even on a 2+1 that could possibly hamper our flexibility and get us closer to the tax apron. Like depending on what we do with Isaac we would be at 104M. Let’s say we give Goga 10M that puts us at 114M. Max for Klay would be like 48 I think. That would put us right below tax level with no other moves. I think we would be fine but it would definitely hamper flexibility. Matching salary flexibility for trades having players in the middle adding up to a big number is ideal (Harris and Cole).

So let’s say we do that at 48 for Klay and a PG making 30-40 comes available for trade. We would have to give up Isaac and Anthony if we let go of Harris which is likely just for salary to match and then after that trade we could be pushing aprons.

This is not say not to do it but if they don’t I think it will be because they want to keep flex open for 1 or 2 trades.

I agree with you, but I don't think Klay is getting anything close to a max though. Not even on a short-term deal.

I'd expect him to come in the $20-30M per year range, not $48M.

from Warriors yes I think he would take such deal....
from Magic... I think it would have to be an overpay around 35-40 and thats just not worth it..

magic have never even paid a player 30 mill a yr do not see them starting with 35 yr old bad knees traffic cone klay wont happen..thats not smart at all ...magic front office preach no skipping steps ..

[JoshuaPotter]

I agree with you, but I don't think Klay is getting anything close to a max though. Not even on a short-term deal.

I'd expect him to come in the $20-30M per year range, not $48M.

from Warriors yes I think he would take such deal....
from Magic... I think it would have to be an overpay around 35-40 and thats just not worth it..

magic have never even paid a player 30 mill a yr do not see them starting with 35 yr old bad knees traffic cone klay wont happen..thats not smart at all ...magic front office preach no skipping steps ..

By the time we are done talking about Klay we will be talking about a guy in a nursing home, in a wheel chair, on hospice isn't worth 30 mill a year.

[orlando_joe]

from Warriors yes I think he would take such deal....
from Magic... I think it would have to be an overpay around 35-40 and thats just not worth it..

magic have never even paid a player 30 mill a yr do not see them starting with 35 yr old bad knees traffic cone klay wont happen..thats not smart at all ...magic front office preach no skipping steps ..

By the time we are done talking about Klay we will be talking about a guy in a nursing home, in a wheel chair, on hospice isn't worth 30 mill a year.

i would rather watch jett jack 3s and play no defense then pay klay all day

[VFX]

I agree with you, but I don't think Klay is getting anything close to a max though. Not even on a short-term deal.

I'd expect him to come in the $20-30M per year range, not $48M.

from Warriors yes I think he would take such deal....
from Magic... I think it would have to be an overpay around 35-40 and thats just not worth it..

magic have never even paid a player 30 mill a yr do not see them starting with 35 yr old bad knees traffic cone klay wont happen..thats not smart at all ...magic front office preach no skipping steps ..

They can preach whatever they want.

It's all just talk until they do something.

I can actually see them making a short sighted move for a basically retired often injured shooting guard just to spend the money. They' would do it just to give the appearance they are acquiring shooting but it wont actually solve anything.

[JoshuaPotter]

from Warriors yes I think he would take such deal....
from Magic... I think it would have to be an overpay around 35-40 and thats just not worth it..

magic have never even paid a player 30 mill a yr do not see them starting with 35 yr old bad knees traffic cone klay wont happen..thats not smart at all ...magic front office preach no skipping steps ..

They can preach whatever they want.

It's all just talk until they do something.

I can actually see them making a short sighted move for a basically retired often injured shooting guard just to spend the money. They' would do it just to give the appearance they are acquiring shooting but it wont actually solve anything.

Because acquiring players who are oft injured is our MO? Besides 665th time is the charm I hear.

[Audi]

from Warriors yes I think he would take such deal....
from Magic... I think it would have to be an overpay around 35-40 and thats just not worth it..

magic have never even paid a player 30 mill a yr do not see them starting with 35 yr old bad knees traffic cone klay wont happen..thats not smart at all ...magic front office preach no skipping steps ..

They can preach whatever they want.

It's all just talk until they do something.

I can actually see them making a short sighted move for a basically retired often injured shooting guard just to spend the money. They' would do it just to give the appearance they are acquiring shooting but it wont actually solve anything.

Pick a lane, man.

[JoshuaPotter]

The Klay smoke could just be dot connecting, but it makes sense.

He's the kind of signing that doesn't threaten the young core, provides shooting, provides experience, and utilizes the pre-extension cap space.

I'd prefer Claxton though.

I agree. There is a mix of youngsters I wouldn't mind either.

Yet, you can't deny the pedigree of a Klay. He would be instantly respected on the court for any game he would play. Stuff him opposite to Paolo and Franz and the lane should open up quite a bit.

The other issue with that step 1 - step profit is figuring out where our high picks sit in with that.

I also suppose we could get rid of Cole if warranted.

I'm rooting against any young backcourt addition, or any backcourt player in their prime for that matter. We've already invested three lottery picks into the backcourt, ya know? Blocking them would be a misuse of assets and short-sighted. We make fun of Weltman's evaluation mode but when you have so much lottery talent it's really the best approach.

I'd break out the team building approach into two builds, the frontcourt and backcourt.

The frontcourt build is pretty solid. Franz and Paolo are locks to start and the only lotto talent. Using the pre-extension cap space to upgrade our starting center makes sense.

The backcourt build is wide open. AB, Jett, and Suggs are all looking for significant roles. Suggs is a beast, evaluation done. AB and Jett need PT and evaluation. Blocking them stymies their development and lowers the backcourt's ceiling. I hope our decision making is focused on maximizing our backcourt's long-term potential.

While I agree with you. You wouldn't trade Jett + cash considerations 2nds for Keyonte?

That'll never happen I get it.

It's also the problem though, AB, Jett, Suggs, are not showing a ceiling of starting PG at the moment. Black being the closest. Which I still struggle with every day on how AB can't get ahead of Fultz in the rotation but I digress. Neither can Cole Anthony.

I'll entertain Klay at SG and Suggs at PG because of ying / yang rules and Suggs is good enough for position-less basketball. I have seen several mention that Suggs natural role is a six man and I just think it's way too early to call it there.

We are where we are. Eval is forever commencing.

[jonbob17]

I was just listening to the Duncd on podcast with Danny Lereoux going over their opinions on worst contracts in the league.

1. Jordan Poole- 3/96 after this year. I didn’t realize how bad he has been in DC 30% on 9.4 3s per 36. 51% TS all while being a terrible defender. Golden State front office gets way too much credit. They made three good draft picks 13-15 years ago. Lately terrible talent evaluation.
2. Lavine 3/148 availability.
3. Ben Simmons 1/40
4. Vucevic 2/41- 27.5% on 4.1 3s per game. 53% TS where the average for centers is 61%.
5. Beal 3/161

The Magic really dodged some bullets here. They could have easily gone after Poole last offseason, for as starved as we were/are for shooting/offense, it’s surely had to be at least considered even with all the red flags.
With Vuc if they decided against the tear down the FO would almost had to have re-signed him (like the Bulls were compelled to). That is kind of the pressure I worry about with Fultz.

Magic fans unanswered prayers have turned out pretty well. A.Simons - the offense would be nice, but the defense remains elusive. Herro’s contract was discussed in this show as well

Klay has been on this list before, if the Magic are targeting (imo doubtful our FO is leaking/tampering) the price is hopefully market and very reasonable, because has at times looked like pretty awful, and that could go bad quick. But we do need a volume shooter and over his career he’s been an all time great. My guess is Klay’s camp is putting out rumors with all the talk out of Golden state and who they have been targeting

[VFX]

magic have never even paid a player 30 mill a yr do not see them starting with 35 yr old bad knees traffic cone klay wont happen..thats not smart at all ...magic front office preach no skipping steps ..

They can preach whatever they want.

It's all just talk until they do something.

I can actually see them making a short sighted move for a basically retired often injured shooting guard just to spend the money. They' would do it just to give the appearance they are acquiring shooting but it wont actually solve anything.

Pick a lane, man.

It's been pretty consistent.

The lane was getting a real point guard for this team. Last I checked Klay is a 2/3 that isn't going to be coming off the bench and plays real minutes. This team isn't a shooting guard away from accomplishing anything. They are a point guard away from actually doing something in the playoffs.

Not sure why this is impossible for people to comprehend. The offense isnt bad because we lack 1 guy moving off screens on the perimeter... It's bad because we don't have ball handlers that can get guys the **** ball in offensive sets and motion. And yeah, that requires you to be able to shoot the basketball to be effective.

[Knightro]

I'm rooting against any young backcourt addition, or any backcourt player in their prime for that matter. We've already invested three lottery picks into the backcourt, ya know? Blocking them would be a misuse of assets and short-sighted. We make fun of Weltman's evaluation mode but when you have so much lottery talent it's really the best approach.

I'd break out the team building approach into two builds, the frontcourt and backcourt.

The frontcourt build is pretty solid. Franz and Paolo are locks to start and the only lotto talent. Using the pre-extension cap space to upgrade our starting center makes sense.

The backcourt build is wide open. AB, Jett, and Suggs are all looking for significant roles. Suggs is a beast, evaluation done. AB and Jett need PT and evaluation. Blocking them stymies their development and lowers the backcourt's ceiling. I hope our decision making is focused on maximizing our backcourt's long-term potential.

Not pursuing immediate backcourt upgrades in the hopes that lotto picks will end up being good eventually is malpractice IMO.

Especially when most of these guys will be able to share the floor with each other.

[Audi]

They can preach whatever they want.

It's all just talk until they do something.

I can actually see them making a short sighted move for a basically retired often injured shooting guard just to spend the money. They' would do it just to give the appearance they are acquiring shooting but it wont actually solve anything.

Pick a lane, man.

It's been pretty consistent.

The lane was getting a real point guard for this team. Last I checked Klay is a 2/3 that isn't going to be coming off the bench and plays real minutes. This team isn't a shooting guard away from accomplishing anything. They are a point guard away from actually doing something in the playoffs.

Not sure why this is impossible for people to comprehend. The offense isnt bad because we lack 1 guy moving off screens on the perimeter... It's bad because we don't have ball handlers that can get guys the **** ball in offensive sets and motion. And yeah, that requires you to be able to shoot the basketball to be effective.

No, I'm saying the FO preaching "we aren't going to make short cuts" and your response being essentially "I'll believe what they preach when they actually do something" is antithetical. The lack of meaningful movement from the FO is the practice of exactly what they preach (detrimental or not). "I'll believe it when I see movement" makes zero sense.