Roster as of July 4th

[JBSouthpaw]

Below is the roster with potential signings added and subtracted, 13 players * edited to remove napier. Position is what ESPN has them listed, a couple are debatable. I guess we are done, unless we move C.J. or Cut Marble (unlikely, so cheap), or something bigger? No need to be at 15 contracts.

Bismack Biyombo C
Nikola Vucevic C
Stephen Zimmerman Jr. C
Aaron Gordon PF
Serge Ibaka PF
C.J. Watson PG
D.J. Augustin PG
Elfrid Payton PG
Devyn Marble SF
Jeff Green SF
Evan Fournier SG
Jodie Meeks SG
Mario Hezonja SG

4 capable of playing Center (Bis, Vuc, Zim, Serge)
3 capable of playing PF (Serge, AG, Green)
4 capable of playing SF (AG, Green, Evan, Marble)
4 capable of playing SG (Evan, Mario, Meeks, Marble)
3 PGs (Elf, DJ, CJ,)

Good balance

what are people's thoughts on best offensive, or defensive line ups?

O
Augustin
Evan
Mario
Green
Vuc

D
Elf
Meeks ??? don't know who is our lock down SG??
AG
Serge
Biz

[eyriq]

Bigs: Vucevic/Biyombo/Zimmerman
Stretch four: Ibaka
Combo forward: Gordon/Green
Wing: Fournier/Hezonja/Marble
Shooting guard: Meeks
Point guard: Payton/Augustine/Watson/Napier

I think our best lineup is
Vucevic/Ibaka/Gordon/Fournier/Payton

Our best bench lineup (3/5 bench players)
Augustine/Fournier/Hezonja/Ibaka/Biyombo

So from this I peg Green and Meeks as back of the rotation guys.

[dmac812]

this is a really deep and versatile roster. excited to watch this group and how they progress. curious to see who emerges as our leading scorer this season. Fournier or Vooch?

[ralphie9898]

this is a really deep and versatile roster. excited to watch this group and how they progress. curious to see who emerges as our leading scorer this season. Fournier or Vooch?

Or Gordon or Ibaka. Gordon hopefully makes a leap in production and Ibaka has a very under-rated offensive game that now hopefully should be unleashed out of the shadow of Westbrook and Durant.

[eyriq]

Big question for me is how Vucevic/Biyambo will play together. Vucevic can stretch the court, so the offense will work. Something like
Biyambo/Vucevic/Green/Hezonja/Payton as a possible bench lineup (3/5 bench players)

Also interesting as a variation on the SL (3/5 starters)
Payton/Hezonja/Gordon/Green/Vucevic

Though if Green is getting mins at the 4 we are limiting Biyambo or Vucevic.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[FFBlitzace]

Bigs: Vucevic/Biyombo/Zimmerman
Stretch four: Ibaka
Combo forward: Gordon/Green
Wing: Fournier/Hezonja/Marble
Shooting guard: Meeks
Point guard: Payton/Augustine/Watson/Napier

I think our best lineup is
Vucevic/Ibaka/Gordon/Fournier/Payton

Our best bench lineup (3/5 bench players)
Augustine/Fournier/Hezonja/Ibaka/Biyombo

So from this I peg Green and Meeks as back of the rotation guys.

Public Service Announcement: DJ Augustin does not have an 'e' at the end of his name.

[eyriq]

Bigs: Vucevic/Biyombo/Zimmerman
Stretch four: Ibaka
Combo forward: Gordon/Green
Wing: Fournier/Hezonja/Marble
Shooting guard: Meeks
Point guard: Payton/Augustine/Watson/Napier

I think our best lineup is
Vucevic/Ibaka/Gordon/Fournier/Payton

Our best bench lineup (3/5 bench players)
Augustine/Fournier/Hezonja/Ibaka/Biyombo

So from this I peg Green and Meeks as back of the rotation guys.

Public Service Announcement: DJ Augustin does not have an 'e' at the end of his name.

[gojoorange]

The versatility of your frontcourt playing in Frank Vogel's system is going to make this team scary once they gel. Defensively, Biyombo is so quick and long he can guard almost any position. Ibaka doesn't have the same lateral quicks, but his shot blocking instincts are probably the best in the league. Imagine a team trying to draw Ibaka out of the paint only to have Biyombo waiting at the rim? Damn.

On offense, Serge can pop out and knock down the 3 and Biz can roll to the rim like a beast and is absolutely a freak athletically.

In my opinion, the Magic have become must watch TV on League Pass this year and I'm rooting for the block party to carry into the playoffs.

[SOUL]

The versatility of your frontcourt playing in Frank Vogel's system is going to make this team scary once they gel. Defensively, Biyombo is so quick and long he can guard almost any position. Ibaka doesn't have the same lateral quicks, but his shot blocking instincts are probably the best in the league. Imagine a team trying to draw Ibaka out of the paint only to have Biyombo waiting at the rim? Damn.

On offense, Serge can pop out and knock down the 3 and Biz can roll to the rim like a beast and is absolutely a freak athletically.

In my opinion, the Magic have become must watch TV on League Pass this year and I'm rooting for the block party to carry into the playoffs.

Thanks dude, we hope so.

[drsd]

As the Magic have (currently) retained 4 PGs, and as I project both Vučević and Zimmerman to make the team, I see the depth chart as:

Payton/Augustin/Napier
Fournier/Meeks/Watson
Gordon/Hezonja/Marble
Ibaka/Green
Vučević/Biyombo/Zimmerman

The starters are better than last year, and the bench is a lot better. 3rd stringers will get nearly Null minutes this year. Watson is the odd man out, and I see a 10-man rotation in non-blow-out games of:

Payton/Augustin
Fournier/Meeks
Gordon/Hezonja
Ibaka/Green
Vučević/Biyombo

..

[dmac812]

As the Magic have (currently) retained 4 PGs, and as I project both Vučević and Zimmerman to make the team, I see the depth chart as:

Payton/Augustin/Napier
Fournier/Meeks/Watson
Gordon/Hezonja/Marble
Ibaka/Green
Vučević/Biyombo/Zimmerman

The starters are better than last year, and the bench is a lot better. 3rd stringers will get nearly Null minutes this year. Watson is the odd man out, and I see a 10-man rotation in non-blow-out games of:

Payton/Augustin
Fournier/Meeks
Gordon/Hezonja
Ibaka/Green
Vučević/Biyombo

..

I agree with the 10 man rotation. I'd rather see Zimmerman spend a year in the D-League and have us sign another veteran big to a minimum contract like a Haslem, David Lee or Jason Smith type guy who works hard and can hit an open jumper.

[NickAnderson]

I know we will see alot of Biyombo but I think he was also signed as a back up plan if we cant reach a deal witk Ibaka this summer.

[Nyce_1]

I know we will see alot of Biyombo but I think he was also signed as a back up plan if we cant reach a deal witk Ibaka this summer.

agreed. Having someone of his caliber allows us flexibility with both bigs.

[mhectorgato]

Bigs: Vucevic/Biyombo/Zimmerman
Stretch four: Ibaka
Combo forward: Gordon/Green
Wing: Fournier/Hezonja/Marble
Shooting guard: Meeks
Point guard: Payton/Augustine/Watson/Napier

I think our best lineup is
Vucevic/Ibaka/Gordon/Fournier/Payton

Our best bench lineup (3/5 bench players)
Augustine/Fournier/Hezonja/Ibaka/Biyombo

So from this I peg Green and Meeks as back of the rotation guys.

Why would we go out and acquire a player for 15 mill to let him ride the bench (or play limited minutes)?

Seems like with the way the cap is going up each year, the value of an expiring contract is less valuable than before. So it would either be that we want him to play or it was to get to the salary floor. I haven't checked the numbers, but are we that close to the floor?

[JBSouthpaw]

Bigs: Vucevic/Biyombo/Zimmerman
Stretch four: Ibaka
Combo forward: Gordon/Green
Wing: Fournier/Hezonja/Marble
Shooting guard: Meeks
Point guard: Payton/Augustine/Watson/Napier

I think our best lineup is
Vucevic/Ibaka/Gordon/Fournier/Payton

Our best bench lineup (3/5 bench players)
Augustine/Fournier/Hezonja/Ibaka/Biyombo

So from this I peg Green and Meeks as back of the rotation guys.

Why would we go out and acquire a player for 15 mill to let him ride the bench (or play limited minutes)?

Seems like with the way the cap is going up each year, the value of an expiring contract is less valuable than before. So it would either be that we want him to play or it was to get to the salary floor. I haven't checked the numbers, but are we that close to the floor?

You can't look at salaries this year, plus the coach will play the best player. I love the fact that AG and Mario will not be handed Playing time, they have to earn it. 15M is more than Serge is making, is Green going to start over him? No. Talent will dictate, the coach doesn't give a crap about who makes what. And a one year deal isn't the same as a max contract pressure to perform.

[Destin]

Below is the roster with potential signings added and subtracted, 14 players. Position is what ESPN has them listed, a couple are debatable. I guess we are done, unless we move C.J. or Cut Marble (unlikely, so cheap), or something bigger? No need to be at 15 contracts.

Bismack Biyombo C
Nikola Vucevic C
Stephen Zimmerman Jr. C
Aaron Gordon PF
Serge Ibaka PF
C.J. Watson PG
D.J. Augustin PG
Elfrid Payton PG
Shabazz Napier PG
Devyn Marble SF
Jeff Green SF
Evan Fournier SG
Jodie Meeks SG
Mario Hezonja SG

4 capable of playing Center (Bis, Vuc, Zim, Serge)
3 capable of playing PF (Serge, AG, Green)
4 capable of playing SF (AG, Green, Evan, Marble)
4 capable of playing SG (Evan, Mario, Meeks, Marble)
4 PGs (Elf, DJ, CJ, Shabazz)

Good balance

what are people's thoughts on best offensive, or defensive line ups?

O
Augustin
Evan
Mario
Green
Vuc

D
Elf
Meeks ??? don't know who is our lock down SG??
AG
Serge
Biz

world champions 2017!!!

[Destin]

In my opinion, the Magic have become must watch TV on League Pass this year and I'm rooting for the block party to carry into the playoffs.

[eyriq]

Bigs: Vucevic/Biyombo/Zimmerman
Stretch four: Ibaka
Combo forward: Gordon/Green
Wing: Fournier/Hezonja/Marble
Shooting guard: Meeks
Point guard: Payton/Augustine/Watson/Napier

I think our best lineup is
Vucevic/Ibaka/Gordon/Fournier/Payton

Our best bench lineup (3/5 bench players)
Augustine/Fournier/Hezonja/Ibaka/Biyombo

So from this I peg Green and Meeks as back of the rotation guys.

Why would we go out and acquire a player for 15 mill to let him ride the bench (or play limited minutes)?

Seems like with the way the cap is going up each year, the value of an expiring contract is less valuable than before. So it would either be that we want him to play or it was to get to the salary floor. I haven't checked the numbers, but are we that close to the floor?

I think we are way over the floor now with all the pending moves. I expect/hope that Gordon is more productive and earns a bigger role. Some questions for you to opine on:

1. Who do you think earns the starting SF spot?
2. Can Vucevic/Biyambo play together?
3. Who do you think earns the starting C spot?
4. Top 3 in mpg based on your best guess right now?

[mhectorgato]

You can't look at salaries this year, plus the coach will play the best player. I love the fact that AG and Mario will not be handed Playing time, they have to earn it. 15M is more than Serge is making, is Green going to start over him? No. Talent will dictate, the coach doesn't give a crap about who makes what. And a one year deal isn't the same as a max contract pressure to perform.

I wonder if RDV feels that same way.

I agree it's not a max, but it's more than a marginal rotation player's though.

[mhectorgato]

Bigs: Vucevic/Biyombo/Zimmerman
Stretch four: Ibaka
Combo forward: Gordon/Green
Wing: Fournier/Hezonja/Marble
Shooting guard: Meeks
Point guard: Payton/Augustine/Watson/Napier

I think our best lineup is
Vucevic/Ibaka/Gordon/Fournier/Payton

Our best bench lineup (3/5 bench players)
Augustine/Fournier/Hezonja/Ibaka/Biyombo

So from this I peg Green and Meeks as back of the rotation guys.

Why would we go out and acquire a player for 15 mill to let him ride the bench (or play limited minutes)?

Seems like with the way the cap is going up each year, the value of an expiring contract is less valuable than before. So it would either be that we want him to play or it was to get to the salary floor. I haven't checked the numbers, but are we that close to the floor?

I think we are way over the floor now with all the pending moves. I expect/hope that Gordon is more productive and earns a bigger role. Some questions for you to opine on:

1. Who do you think earns the starting SF spot?
2. Can Vucevic/Biyambo play together?
3. Who do you think earns the starting C spot?
4. Top 3 in mpg based on your best guess right now?

Weren't you taught not to answer a question with a question ?

- SF - not sure yet, while he is the future, I'm not that sure that AG is the present yet.
- Vuc/Biy - Rebounding, a good combo, defensively, their size will help. Offensively Vuc would be the 4 with his mid-range. Either that, or we use Bismark (sorry, it's my Deutsche background ) as OKC with S.Adams -- a opportunity scorer.
- Vuc (with Ibaka at the 4)
- MPG ... not sure yet. Payton and probably Evan are in the top 2. After that, it's up in the air, as the OP listed, there's a good amount of balance at each spot.

In my mind the starters at the beginning of the season:
Payton, Fournier, AG, Serge, Vuc -- the least locked in in my mind would be the SF spot.

DJ, Mario, Green, Bis are the primary 2nd teamers.