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I think Russell could be a nice target for us in free agency. He would add shooting to our backcourt and would be another playmaker/creator off the dribble to add to our core. Set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2023. I'd cut bait on Fultz/Bamba after this season.

Lineup would look something like this:

D-lo/Cole
Suggs/Harris (or our 2023 first/other free agent)
Wagner/Isaac (or free agent)
Banchero/Bol
WCJ/Brook Lopez (or other Vet Center)

If were just going by stats, he's solid and would be an upgrade.

The bigger issue is he has never really has been a winner in the NBA and is going to command a max (30 mill a year right now)

He has has a career record of 166-264 and has been the starting guard on most of those teams. So after 8 years in the league, you really have to ask if he is a winning player and can lead a team into the playoffs, when you put him on the most important position on the team.

I would personally would pass, but wouldn't be like upset if we somehow landed him.

Bad fit

One less team with major cap space this summer.

PrimeThyme wrote:I think Russell could be a nice target for us in free agency. He would add shooting to our backcourt and would be another playmaker/creator off the dribble to add to our core. Set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2023. I'd cut bait on Fultz/Bamba after this season.

Lineup would look something like this:

D-lo/Cole
Suggs/Harris (or our 2023 first/other free agent)
Wagner/Isaac (or free agent)
Banchero/Bol
WCJ/Brook Lopez (or other Vet Center)

problem is Russell and Towns are friends from high school. he wont leave Minnesota just to leave

I mentioned this idea in another thread. D’Lo and Suggs would make for a solid Offense / Defense duo in the backcourt.

For those arguing he is not a great defensive playing or a “winner” … well, you’re right!

To that I say, we are are building around Paolo and Franz. We need a go-to scorer at one of the guard spots but Paolo is our franchise player of the future.

MagicFan101 wrote:I mentioned this idea in another thread. D’Lo and Suggs would make for a solid Offense / Defense duo in the backcourt.

For those arguing he is not a great defensive playing or a “winner” … well, you’re right!

To that I say, we are are building around Paolo and Franz. We need a go-to scorer at one of the guard spots but Paolo is our franchise player of the future.

Great post!

No way he's in line for another overpay max, IMO...having said that, he'd be a very good fit if he can adjust to more off ball spot up play. We could do a lot worse in terms of skill...I really don't have any knowledge of his mentality, etc...I know he got off to a rough start in LA but people change...Look at Wiggins' place in the NBA right now.

He's bad and has no ability to get to the rack. Once he hits free agency, I believe his starting days are over.

I'm open to the idea only because the FA market is WEAK AF this summer but you can't overpay him. At the end of the day, I probably wouldn't sign him even on a 'fair' deal... it just sucks because I'm not sure what the answer is at PG other than hoping Fultz improves his 3pt shot.

thelead wrote:I'm open to the idea only because the FA market is WEAK AF this summer but you can't overpay him. At the end of the day, I probably wouldn't sign him even on a 'fair' deal... it just sucks because I'm not sure what the answer is at PG other than hoping Fultz improves his 3pt shot.

I'd rather pay Tre Jones then Russell.

Open to it, but only after we see the roster
Fully healthy play together.... I want to see who we want to around for the future and who we don't.

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He's not that good...but the fit would make sense. I just wouldn't overpay for him.

I'd stay away.

Good when he is hot and on high usage, not very good when he is asked to play smaller role.
He also isn't very good 3 point shooter, rather definition of average one. Just has very crazy hot streaks ( but also brutal cold ones as well)

No thanks, he's fool's gold. Overpaid inefficient scorer due to his inability to get to the line, bad defender and his teams has been better with him off court for most of his career. Trading him for Wiggins and a 1st round pick was a daylight robbery by the Warriors.

I'm not entirely sure who Keith is projecting that the Magic will choose let go or retain, but that $34.4M is a bit misleading. It can be less than that or it can MUCH more than that depending on how the Magic opt to handle it.

If the Magic bring everyone (Harris, Bamba, Fultz, Isaac and Bol) back that they can get rid of to save money, they'll have about $24M in cap space, not $34.4M as he's saying.

If the Magic opt to not pick up the unguaranteed second years on Gary Harris and Mo Bamba's contracts, they will gain an additional $23.3M in space bringing them up $47.3M to spend.

If the Magic opt to let Markelle Fultz walk for $2M, that's an additional $15M in space which would bring them up to $62.3M to spend.

If the Magic opt to cut ties with Jonathan Isaac, that's an additional $10M in space bringing them up to $72.3M in space.

If they opt to cut ties with Bol Bol, that's an additional 2.2M, bringing them up to $74.5M.

Long story short, if they are so inclined, the Magic can create the most cap space in the NBA heading into this summer.

MagicFan101 wrote:I mentioned this idea in another thread. D’Lo and Suggs would make for a solid Offense / Defense duo in the backcourt.

For those arguing he is not a great defensive playing or a “winner” … well, you’re right!

To that I say, we are are building around Paolo and Franz. We need a go-to scorer at one of the guard spots but Paolo is our franchise player of the future.

I'm very wary of the idea that a defensive-only guard and an offensive-only guard make a good combo. The idea that one offsets the faults of the other could last you about as long as it takes a well-coached opponent to go after the O-only guy on defence and double him on offense with the guy who doesn't have to guard the D-only guy.

That's a bit simplistic but i just font think the offset idea between 2 players always bears fruit.

tiderulz wrote:

PrimeThyme wrote:I think Russell could be a nice target for us in free agency. He would add shooting to our backcourt and would be another playmaker/creator off the dribble to add to our core. Set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2023. I'd cut bait on Fultz/Bamba after this season.

Lineup would look something like this:

D-lo/Cole
Suggs/Harris (or our 2023 first/other free agent)
Wagner/Isaac (or free agent)
Banchero/Bol
WCJ/Brook Lopez (or other Vet Center)

problem is Russell and Towns are friends from high school. he wont leave Minnesota just to leave

I dont expect him to WALK away but wouldnt be surprised if the wolves trade him

Im not the biggest fan of the idea, but i could see the wolves trying to trade him in a deal involving suggs
They could save a ton on cap space, bring in a PG of the current and future and appease the fan base by bringing in a local kid with the swag\confidence that they would love

For us it would give us a scorer to team with paolo\wagner
i personally wouldnt do it, but wouldnt be shocked by it either