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Curious to see others opinions on whether to trade our expiring’s (vooch and/or Ross) or keep them for our playoff push this year?

I’ve been very torn on this decision because it has been far to long since we have made the playoffs and I would love to see us play in that atmosphere again. But I also see that if we make the playoffs with vooch playing great still and Ross doing his thing that we will have to pay these guys good money or let them walk for nothing.

I also see the value in cashing in on these expiring contracts especially with how well vooch and Ross have been playing. If we could use them to get a solid prospect on a rookie deal I’d probably pull the trigger or use them in a package for an all star on a long term deal I’d be tempted.

Which way do you guys lean?


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I'd prefer to push for the playoffs. Not trading any key pieces until December or January if things don't look great for us

Keep building a workable roster around young talent and actually commit to them. Pull the trigger on a deal giving Orlando some talent to grow with Isaac and Bamba. Playoffs are pointless if it means most of the players that will this team there won’t be here next season.

As good as Vuc has been we all know that the long term plan is Bamba at that spot. Problem is that he is not ready to start and right now Vuc is better in both offense and defense. Tross is here to stay long term. We need to resign him. We really have two options

1). Win now option - keep both Vuc and Tross. Resign tross to a multiyear deal and resign Vuc to a short-term 3 year deal to come off the books when Bamba is due for his rookie extension. By then Bamba will most likely be the better player and our starting C.

2). Win later option - Depending on the offer we get for Vuc, trade him for an upgrade PG rotation and Bamba steps into the starting lineup despite having flaws in defense and offense. Hopefully, with an improved PG rotation, this will balance out. But as well as he has been playing, I think part of his play is he knows this is a contract year. I dont buy he continues this play long term. Id still sell high on Vuc.

Trade Vucevic, Fournier, DJ, Simmons.

Nemesis21 wrote:Trade Vucevic, Fournier, DJ, Simmons.

If we trade All Star and All NBA Center Vucevic, half the Magic RealGM board will meltdown. The goal of the Magic is NOT to win a championship. The goal is to be an 8th seed playoff team for eternity so we can sell more corporate box seats!
‘We are a playoff caliber team’

Let's discuss this in January, shall we?

I really hope we keep Ross for the remainder of the season and re-sign him after the free agency dust settles. I love what he brings us off the bench.

I am not a Vuc hate. I think the time is just about here where both Orlando and Vuc benefit from a parting. A year from now Bamba should be ready for a bigger role and we need that $$ for other spots on the roster. Vuc has been a great player for us in a losing effort for too long. He should go somewhere he can contribute to a deep playoff run.

If we can trade Vuc mid-season for a PG upgrade then go for it. But I’m of the opinion that we can also benefit from cracking the playoffs and selling a young free agent PG on joining this group of bigs. We need Vuc if we want to make that run.

I know I didn’t really answer the question but that is my honest take. I see a good outcome from either option if we play it right. I’m being patient with WeHam (unlike many here) but critical points are fast approaching. If they don’t make the most of some key changes this summer and next they will have worn out their welcome with me.

too early to decide

Not really understanding why people think it’s too early to decide. They either trade Vuc at the deadline or don’t. That will tell how they feel and their intentions of this season at that juncture. This won’t change between now, the trade deadline, and the end of the season. You only push for the playoffs if your roster is set for the foreseeable future. This roster isn’t.

IMO it’s foolish to push for the playoffs if management doesn’t believe they are going to be resigning Vuc for multiple years because that’s what he will be looking for in the prime of his career. They’ve already used a #6 pick on Bamba, so it’s pretty clear what the future will look like. Sell high.

MagicMatic wrote:Not really understanding why people think it’s too early to decide. They either trade Vuc at the deadline or don’t. That will tell how they feel and their intentions of this season at that juncture. This won’t change between now, the trade deadline, and the end of the season. You only push for the playoffs if your roster is set for the foreseeable future. This roster isn’t.

IMO it’s foolish to push for the playoffs if management doesn’t believe they are going to be resigning Vuc for multiple years because that’s what he will be looking for in the prime of his career. They’ve already used a #6 pick on Bamba, so it’s pretty clear what the future will look like. Sell high.

Selling high is key. If we can get a first rounder for Vuc, I say let’s do it.
And I hope we stay away from that John Wall contract. Smells like the Gilbert Arenas situation all over again.

BAMBAEXPRESS wrote:

Nemesis21 wrote:Trade Vucevic, Fournier, DJ, Simmons.

If we trade All Star and All NBA Center Vucevic, half the Magic RealGM board will meltdown. The goal of the Magic is NOT to win a championship. The goal is to be an 8th seed playoff team for eternity so we can sell more corporate box seats!
‘We are a playoff caliber team’

In either scenarios Magic are not winning championship.
Magic new core is extreamly flawed.
Gordon in 5th season still can't take over games, other two players struggle with basics of offense, one in rookie year already has question marks about his motor.
Only question here is : are Magic willing to be average 6th seed playoff team with second round exit as ceiling today or later.
If argument is that they need two star guards to work, you can switch argument that every 3 role player , in mix with 2 star guards would make playoffs ( Blazers,Wizards in past ).

NBA is superstar driven league, Magic have non. And no matter what happens this year, next year will not bring anything different due poor positioning on draft , lack of money in FA and lack of options.

pepe1991 wrote:

BAMBAEXPRESS wrote:

Nemesis21 wrote:Trade Vucevic, Fournier, DJ, Simmons.

In either scenarios Magic are not winning championship.
Magic new core is extreamly flawed.
Gordon in 5th season still can't take over games, other two players struggle with basics of offense, one in rookie year already has question marks about his motor.

Agreed.

Especially due to the insecurity regarding Bamba I'd say stick with Vuc for now if possible, try to acquire a starting caliber PG and then we wait and see.

Raider_MXD wrote:

pepe1991 wrote:

BAMBAEXPRESS wrote:In either scenarios Magic are not winning championship.
Magic new core is extreamly flawed.
Gordon in 5th season still can't take over games, other two players struggle with basics of offense, one in rookie year already has question marks about his motor.

Agreed.

Especially due to the insecurity regarding Bamba I'd say stick with Vuc for now if possible, try to acquire a starting caliber PG and then we wait and see.

Insecurity over Bamba? If anything he is everything we thought he would be- a project with tremendous potential and a body to develop. I would say he is surpassing expectations with how his offense has been and his defensive upside even without th strong fundamentals.

pepe1991 wrote:

BAMBAEXPRESS wrote:

Nemesis21 wrote:Trade Vucevic, Fournier, DJ, Simmons.

If we trade All Star and All NBA Center Vucevic, half the Magic RealGM board will meltdown. The goal of the Magic is NOT to win a championship. The goal is to be an 8th seed playoff team for eternity so we can sell more corporate box seats!
‘We are a playoff caliber team’

In either scenarios Magic are not winning championship.
Magic new core is extreamly flawed.
Gordon in 5th season still can't take over games, other two players struggle with basics of offense, one in rookie year already has question marks about his motor.
Only question here is : are Magic willing to be average 6th seed playoff team with second round exit as ceiling today or later.
If argument is that they need two star guards to work, you can switch argument that every 3 role player , in mix with 2 star guards would make playoffs ( Blazers,Wizards in past ).

NBA is superstar driven league, Magic have non. And no matter what happens this year, next year will not bring anything different due poor positioning on draft , lack of money in FA and lack of options.

So the goal should be another high lottery pick because resigning Vuc will hinder us getting a superstar. Vuc is fools gold. Sell high before we lose that asset

BAMBAEXPRESS wrote:

Raider_MXD wrote:

pepe1991 wrote:

Agreed.

Especially due to the insecurity regarding Bamba I'd say stick with Vuc for now if possible, try to acquire a starting caliber PG and then we wait and see.

Insecurity over Bamba? If anything he is everything we thought he would be- a project with tremendous potential and a body to develop. I would say he is surpassing expectations with how his offense has been and his defensive upside even without th strong fundamentals.

He has a 113 offensive rating compared to 106 defensive rating for a differential of 7, something that hasn't been done since Dwight. So I'm happy so far with Bamba.

basketballRob wrote:

BAMBAEXPRESS wrote:

Raider_MXD wrote:Agreed.

Especially due to the insecurity regarding Bamba I'd say stick with Vuc for now if possible, try to acquire a starting caliber PG and then we wait and see.

Insecurity over Bamba? If anything he is everything we thought he would be- a project with tremendous potential and a body to develop. I would say he is surpassing expectations with how his offense has been and his defensive upside even without th strong fundamentals.

He has a 113 offensive rating compared to 106 defensive rating for a differential of 7, something that hasn't been done since Dwight. So I'm happy so far with Bamba.

His actual impact, if you watch games, simply isn't there yet.
Def and Off rating is nice stat to track player's contribution but when you figure we talk about 17 mpg player that simply does not have strenght or stamina to play more things take different outlook.

If you think he is good defender or offensive player, ok. That's why word "fan" comes from fanatic.

pepe1991 wrote:

basketballRob wrote:

BAMBAEXPRESS wrote:
Insecurity over Bamba? If anything he is everything we thought he would be- a project with tremendous potential and a body to develop. I would say he is surpassing expectations with how his offense has been and his defensive upside even without th strong fundamentals.

He has a 113 offensive rating compared to 106 defensive rating for a differential of 7, something that hasn't been done since Dwight. So I'm happy so far with Bamba.

His actual impact, if you watch games, simply isn't there yet.
Def and Off rating is nice stat to track player's contribution but when you figure we talk about 17 mpg player that simply does not have strenght or stamina to play more things take different outlook.

If you think he is good defender or offensive player, ok. That's why word "fan" comes from fanatic.

He will play more if Vucevic goes out, as far as his motor I think it's good. He tries to beat his man down the court every time. I think some of the misrepresentation of Bamba is by some of the Vuc fanboys.

Dwight started and played all 82 games at around 32mpg and averaged 12ppg and 10rpg as a rookie.. Bamba would probably do the same or similar given the playing time. I see no reason why he shouldn’t be able to handle that in the second half of the season.

Trade Vuc before the deadline regardless.

pepe1991 wrote:

basketballRob wrote:

BAMBAEXPRESS wrote:
Insecurity over Bamba? If anything he is everything we thought he would be- a project with tremendous potential and a body to develop. I would say he is surpassing expectations with how his offense has been and his defensive upside even without th strong fundamentals.

He has a 113 offensive rating compared to 106 defensive rating for a differential of 7, something that hasn't been done since Dwight. So I'm happy so far with Bamba.

His actual impact, if you watch games, simply isn't there yet.
Def and Off rating is nice stat to track player's contribution but when you figure we talk about 17 mpg player that simply does not have strenght or stamina to play more things take different outlook.

If you think he is good defender or offensive player, ok. That's why word "fan" comes from fanatic.

He definitely doesn’t have the strength or stamina. We all knew that even before the draft. But if you don’t give him playing time and let him develop on the court, then you are ruining his potential.

Vuc had 7 years to lead us to anything. .500 season? No. Playoffs? No. So why are we continuing to make a square fit into a circle? That’s why the word ‘fan’ comes from fanboys.