RealGM

Looks like free agent dreams of Poole have gone up in smoke with his ludicrous new deal. Technically, we could trade but I don't think I'd want him at that salary - especially now if it involves assets (other than cap space) to get him. I think Herro's deal is okay, but between them (and arguably Wiggins'), the summer of '23 free agent pool just got a lot lighter for a team looking to get a scoring guard. Honestly, we're probably set up better for a trade anyway...and there's an element of cost certainty there as opposed to a public bidding war. We've got picks, decent players on expirings/Team options and expendable or redundant players at every position...let's turn our attention elsewhere...

Must have: Shooting, particularly floor spacing at a potential 40% clip. Considering our front court's potential, there should be open 3's.
If it's a real star potential guy (like Poole), I don't mind paying...but don't overpay for a role player-at least not long term.

Should have: Ability as a secondary creator/offensive initiator, reasonable deal, preferably under contract for at least 2 years

Would be great if: Good size and length and defensive ability and effort, under 25 (although a vet 'placeholder' might also suffice)

Persons of Interest:
Gary Trent Jr-RFA, won't come cheap, he's a legit shooter and showed defensive ability last season, great fit, would require overpay
Cam Johnson - RFA, elite spot up 3pt shooter, not sure if he's agile enough to defend as a guard, shouldn't overpay for a backup
Collin Sexton, Malik Beasley...2 guys who have shot extremely well, Sexton is undersized but has 25 ppg scoring potential, Beasley is a specialist. If UTA is truly blowing it up, they might come relatively cheap (for expirings/pick(s)). I'm warming to this more and more. I don't see Ainge banking on Sexton as a cornerstone of a rebuild-I do like him as a #3 on ORL, gobbling up open looks.
Kevin Huerter - He's slightly overpaid, but is now under contract and is a good fit at SG. Monk looks good next Fox, so who knows?
Devin Vassell - a bit of a dream scenario, I do think he's a cornerstone for SAS, but they are stacked with wings, picks and a prospect at a different position might intrigue Pop.
Also from SAS...Josh Richardson and Doug McDermott...both older, elite 3pt shooters, neither fit SAS's tank plans, placeholders for ORL?
Duncan Robinson, Buddy Heild...2 guys who are considered negative values but can really knock down open shots, deals to be made

I know that "let's see how it goes and draft accordingly" is the likely direction...but who would anyone want to talk about THAT here?

Who else and for what?

I really want Suggs to emerge, but right now a Fultz/Suggs backcourt is a horrible vision. Suggs could be a really good player without ever becoming a great shooter. Same for Fultz...but, in that case, we can't keep both of them on the court together, IMO. If I was a betting man, I'd figure Suggs is more likely to come around than Fultz, so I'd be thinking about a pure scorer combo guard next to Suggs...If it's Fultz at PG, I'd like a long floor spreader next to him. Both Fultz and Suggs are "incomplete" at this point.

I have different tagets in mind to go all in

1. Damian Lillard 32 years old- there is a chance Portland implodes this year and we should be first in line for Dame. He gives us playoff veteran, amazing shooter, and efficient passer. He is old but not older than Curry winning last year or CP3 coming to PHX
He could play next to all our guards except Anthony.

2. Devin Booker 26 years old- he would not be cheap, but there is some chance PHX would want to trade him after CP3 retires.

3. Jaylen Brown 26 years old- with Brown it would be more about defensive side. Big, strong versatile. He would also help with rim penetration.

4. Paul George 32 years old- slim chance he will be available but he would provide size, playmaking and shooting. He is fully capable playing the wing.

I dont see anyone else worth trading for. (Doncic but its the least realistic)

zaymon wrote:I have different tagets in mind to go all in

1. Damian Lillard 32 years old- there is a chance Portland implodes this year and we should be first in line for Dame. He gives us playoff veteran, amazing shooter, and efficient passer. He is old but not older than Curry winning last year or CP3 coming to PHX
He could play next to all our guards except Anthony.

2. Devin Booker 26 years old- he would not be cheap, but there is some chance PHX would want to trade him after CP3 retires.

3. Jaylen Brown 26 years old- with Brown it would be more about defensive side. Big, strong versatile. He would also help with rim penetration.

4. Paul George 32 years old- slim chance he will be available but he would provide size, playmaking and shooting. He is fully capable playing the wing.

I dont see anyone else worth trading for. (Doncic but its the least realistic)

Brown, Lillard, Booker if are leaving, are leaving for contenders, not replace contenders for middle of a road rebuilding teams.

As far as LIllard goes, he will be making $50M a year in near future, to even get him, you need to trade half of the team. Litearlly.

go to the draft ..do not gut assests ..should have 2 lottery picks can add denver pick to one and player or 2 that does not fit to other..if magic can hit on one they will be looking good

Point of clarification: Gary Trent Jr will be an UFA if he opts-out of his deal.

Raptors are in a better position to keep him, as team further along than us. However(!), he did play with WCj at Duke and they had good chemistry. If we want him, we'll have to show progress as a team and use some recruiting to get him down to the sunshine state.

- 2 Duke greats; one of which he played with and formed good chemistry
- sun & warmth
- tax-free-state
- elite facility
- grew up 25 mins from where Jalen is from; share that Minny experience

pepe1991 wrote:

zaymon wrote:I have different tagets in mind to go all in

1. Damian Lillard 32 years old- there is a chance Portland implodes this year and we should be first in line for Dame. He gives us playoff veteran, amazing shooter, and efficient passer. He is old but not older than Curry winning last year or CP3 coming to PHX
He could play next to all our guards except Anthony.

2. Devin Booker 26 years old- he would not be cheap, but there is some chance PHX would want to trade him after CP3 retires.

3. Jaylen Brown 26 years old- with Brown it would be more about defensive side. Big, strong versatile. He would also help with rim penetration.

4. Paul George 32 years old- slim chance he will be available but he would provide size, playmaking and shooting. He is fully capable playing the wing.

I dont see anyone else worth trading for. (Doncic but its the least realistic)

Brown, Lillard, Booker if are leaving, are leaving for contenders, not replace contenders for middle of a road rebuilding teams.

As far as LIllard goes, he will be making $50M a year in near future, to even get him, you need to trade half of the team. Litearlly.

Good, let me sleep haha!.

All jokes aside, 2023 is a guard heavy draft and we have two first rounders. May be better to find an option there, keep developing our young stars add a couple vets Andre Iguodala Types and enjoy the ascent into contention.

I am BTW not saying tank out young core WCjr, Franz, Paolo make winning plays and should be groomed to play meaningful ball and we should try to win from hear on out imo.

At beginning of last season not one person could have predicted Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell would be on new teams. Anything can happen. What we need to do is be ready to go once one of these folks become available and not be scared to take some risk for the right asset.

Skybox wrote:Looks like free agent dreams of Poole have gone up in smoke with his ludicrous new deal. Technically, we could trade but I don't think I'd want him at that salary - especially now if it involves assets (other than cap space) to get him. I think Herro's deal is okay, but between them (and arguably Wiggins'), the summer of '23 free agent pool just got a lot lighter for a team looking to get a scoring guard. Honestly, we're probably set up better for a trade anyway...and there's an element of cost certainty there as opposed to a public bidding war. We've got picks, decent players on expirings/Team options and expendable or redundant players at every position...let's turn our attention elsewhere...

Must have: Shooting, particularly floor spacing at a potential 40% clip. Considering our front court's potential, there should be open 3's.
If it's a real star potential guy (like Poole), I don't mind paying...but don't overpay for a role player-at least not long term.

Should have: Ability as a secondary creator/offensive initiator, reasonable deal, preferably under contract for at least 2 years

Would be great if: Good size and length and defensive ability and effort, under 25 (although a vet 'placeholder' might also suffice)

Persons of Interest:
Gary Trent Jr-RFA, won't come cheap, he's a legit shooter and showed defensive ability last season, great fit, would require overpay
Cam Johnson - RFA, elite spot up 3pt shooter, not sure if he's agile enough to defend as a guard, shouldn't overpay for a backup
Collin Sexton, Malik Beasley...2 guys who have shot extremely well, Sexton is undersized but has 25 ppg scoring potential, Beasley is a specialist. If UTA is truly blowing it up, they might come relatively cheap (for expirings/pick(s)). I'm warming to this more and more. I don't see Ainge banking on Sexton as a cornerstone of a rebuild-I do like him as a #3 on ORL, gobbling up open looks.
Kevin Huerter - He's slightly overpaid, but is now under contract and is a good fit at SG. Monk looks good next Fox, so who knows?
Devin Vassell - a bit of a dream scenario, I do think he's a cornerstone for SAS, but they are stacked with wings, picks and a prospect at a different position might intrigue Pop.
Also from SAS...Josh Richardson and Doug McDermott...both older, elite 3pt shooters, neither fit SAS's tank plans, placeholders for ORL?
Duncan Robinson, Buddy Heild...2 guys who are considered negative values but can really knock down open shots, deals to be made

I know that "let's see how it goes and draft accordingly" is the likely direction...but who would anyone want to talk about THAT here?

Who else and for what?

Vassell is the only guy on this list that stands out. He's probably young enough that he fits SA timeline, but if they were going into deep rebuild, I'd throw the Denver and Chicago firsts, and maybe a Cole or other young guy.

Trent, i don't know maybe, i don't think he would cost much in terms of draft capital.

Hield if he came cheap. Suspect Pacers would give him away for very little. It's crazy to think he is going to be 30 in 2 months, and he was part of that Simmons/Jaylen Brown draft class.

TBH the best 2 guards are guys that create and score a lot. We are going to have enough play makers we need guys that knock down shots and play defense. Give me a 6'7 guy, that can shoot 38% and can guard Beal reasonably well. If we think Franz is capable of that defensive assignment, then that opens up even more possibilities.

The Magic need another shooter. Their positionless idealogy that they keep talking about is going to end up being less about traditional positons and more about what positions a player can guard.

The front court is so skilled, we may just need a younger version of like a Justin Holiday. Low usage (15%). Maybe trent is that kind of guy, but I would think they would want a little taller that can guard multiple positions.

Jaylen Brown is the absolute target.

Fultz,Suggs,Chuma + 3 draft picks (2023 ORL + CHI + 2025 DEN)

Literally any starting caliber guard who can shoot and is good at basketball.

Does not have to be a star. Does not need to make $40 million per year. Just a good player.

Players that should be on the block: Fultz, Ross, Isaac

I would like Orlando to take a shot on Trent. Who knows how the Raptors view his value.

Cam Johnson maybe because he’s coming up on a contract and I’m not sure Phoenix can retain him with their salary.

Terance Mann is also another guy that flies under the radar. He’s buried on the Clippers and they could part ways with him for someone like Ross later in the season.


I don’t buy into the idea that Orlando has the assets to trade for an allstar guy or that they could outright sign one. History says no.

I also don’t buy into the idea that bad non-contender teams will willfully let their young assets go just because. That’s why I don’t view someone like Vassell as an option.

Bakomagic wrote:

pepe1991 wrote:

zaymon wrote:I have different tagets in mind to go all in

1. Damian Lillard 32 years old- there is a chance Portland implodes this year and we should be first in line for Dame. He gives us playoff veteran, amazing shooter, and efficient passer. He is old but not older than Curry winning last year or CP3 coming to PHX
He could play next to all our guards except Anthony.

2. Devin Booker 26 years old- he would not be cheap, but there is some chance PHX would want to trade him after CP3 retires.

3. Jaylen Brown 26 years old- with Brown it would be more about defensive side. Big, strong versatile. He would also help with rim penetration.

4. Paul George 32 years old- slim chance he will be available but he would provide size, playmaking and shooting. He is fully capable playing the wing.

I dont see anyone else worth trading for. (Doncic but its the least realistic)

Brown, Lillard, Booker if are leaving, are leaving for contenders, not replace contenders for middle of a road rebuilding teams.

As far as LIllard goes, he will be making $50M a year in near future, to even get him, you need to trade half of the team. Litearlly.

Good, let me sleep haha!.

All jokes aside, 2023 is a guard heavy draft and we have two first rounders. May be better to find an option there, keep developing our young stars add a couple vets Andre Iguodala Types and enjoy the ascent into contention.

I am BTW not saying tank out young core WCjr, Franz, Paolo make winning plays and should be groomed to play meaningful ball and we should try to win from hear on out imo.

I fully agree

pepe1991 wrote:

zaymon wrote:I have different tagets in mind to go all in

1. Damian Lillard 32 years old- there is a chance Portland implodes this year and we should be first in line for Dame. He gives us playoff veteran, amazing shooter, and efficient passer. He is old but not older than Curry winning last year or CP3 coming to PHX
He could play next to all our guards except Anthony.

2. Devin Booker 26 years old- he would not be cheap, but there is some chance PHX would want to trade him after CP3 retires.

3. Jaylen Brown 26 years old- with Brown it would be more about defensive side. Big, strong versatile. He would also help with rim penetration.

4. Paul George 32 years old- slim chance he will be available but he would provide size, playmaking and shooting. He is fully capable playing the wing.

I dont see anyone else worth trading for. (Doncic but its the least realistic)

Brown, Lillard, Booker if are leaving, are leaving for contenders, not replace contenders for middle of a road rebuilding teams.

As far as LIllard goes, he will be making $50M a year in near future, to even get him, you need to trade half of the team. Litearlly.

Fultz + Isaac + Bamba works salary wise, then we only need to add enough picks.

MagicMatic wrote:Players that should be on the block: Fultz, Ross, Isaac

I would like Orlando to take a shot on Trent. Who knows how the Raptors view his value.

Cam Johnson maybe because he’s coming up on a contract and I’m not sure Phoenix can retain him with their salary.

Terance Mann is also another guy that flies under the radar. He’s buried on the Clippers and they could part ways with him for someone like Ross later in the season.


I don’t buy into the idea that Orlando has the assets to trade for an allstar guy or that they could outright sign one. History says no.

I also don’t buy into the idea that bad non-contender teams will willfully let their young assets go just because. That’s why I don’t view someone like Vassell as an option.

I need to see Fultz and Isaac before putting them on the block...and honestly if we want value at all for them the rest of the league will need to see them too.

Lots of good options in this thread. I suspect we will see how the season plays out but ultimately decide to roll the dice in the lottery one last time. However, like has been said here - anything can happen. At some point even Doncic is going to want out if the Mavs can’t form something better around him.

Next target? Playing for Metropolitans 92.

Free Agency is dead... and the Magic won't really make a move until 2 years from now. Internal development and see if Suggs or Fultz make that jump in the meantime.

fendilim wrote:Next target? Playing for Metropolitans 92.

No don't see it. Even if they wanted to go that route there are just too many tank teams this season and a few more that will be tanking by the deadline.

How about Kyrie Irving?

zaymon wrote:

pepe1991 wrote:

zaymon wrote:I have different tagets in mind to go all in

1. Damian Lillard 32 years old- there is a chance Portland implodes this year and we should be first in line for Dame. He gives us playoff veteran, amazing shooter, and efficient passer. He is old but not older than Curry winning last year or CP3 coming to PHX
He could play next to all our guards except Anthony.

2. Devin Booker 26 years old- he would not be cheap, but there is some chance PHX would want to trade him after CP3 retires.

3. Jaylen Brown 26 years old- with Brown it would be more about defensive side. Big, strong versatile. He would also help with rim penetration.

4. Paul George 32 years old- slim chance he will be available but he would provide size, playmaking and shooting. He is fully capable playing the wing.

I dont see anyone else worth trading for. (Doncic but its the least realistic)

Brown, Lillard, Booker if are leaving, are leaving for contenders, not replace contenders for middle of a road rebuilding teams.

As far as LIllard goes, he will be making $50M a year in near future, to even get him, you need to trade half of the team. Litearlly.

Fultz + Isaac + Bamba works salary wise, then we only need to add enough picks.

Without Franz or Banchero or both they don't even pick up a phone.