The current depth chart

[drsd]

Subject to change as free agents are signed (e.g. M-Wagner) or players released (G-Harris, Bitadze).
I will keep this as updated as I can!



But this is where we are now:

Fultz/Anthony/Black
G-Harris/Suggs/Howard
F-Wagner/Ingles/Houstan
Banchero/Isaac/Okeke
Carter/Bitadze/M-Wagner

Before everyone gets irate about Black and Howard as third stringers, note: the above 14 players + M-Wagner is nearly certain to not be the opening night roster next season.

[RichCollab]

Fultz/Black
Suggs/Cole
F-Wagner/Howard/Houstan
Banchero/Isaac/Bol
Carter/Bitadze

[axl_c_cool]

Fultz/Black
Suggs/Cole
F-Wagner/Howard/Houstan
Banchero/Isaac/Bol
Carter/Bitadze

This is mine

Sent from my SM-G996B using RealGM mobile app

[JBSouthpaw]

Fultz/Black
Suggs/Cole
F-Wagner/Howard/Houstan
Banchero/Isaac/Bol
Carter/Bitadze

This is mine

Sent from my SM-G996B using RealGM mobile app

At this point in time, can't be anything other than this.

G.Harris is out to pasture as far as his playing time here.

[Skybox]

Cole/Black
Guy we're about to trade for or sign/Suggs
Franz/Howard
Paolo/Isaac/M. Wagner
WCJ/Goga

[ORLMagicGirl15]

Bol is a SF? Where have I been this last year.

[RichCollab]

Cole/Black
Guy we're about to trade for or sign/Suggs
Franz/Howard
Paolo/Isaac/M. Wagner
WCJ/Goga

Fultz is definitely starting.

[Skybox]

Cole/Black
Guy we're about to trade for or sign/Suggs
Franz/Howard
Paolo/Isaac/M. Wagner
WCJ/Goga

Fultz is definitely starting.

Wow. I guess that settles that. Thanks Mr Devos.

[VFX]

Cole/Black
Suggs/Jett/Houstan
Franz/Jett/Houstan
Paolo/Bol/M.Wagner
Carter/Goga/M.Wagner

Thats the initial depth chart without factoring in Okeke, K. Harris, and Isaac assuming he's not in street clothes all season or traded.

Black can fill in minutes between PG-SF where needed before he starts.

Move Fultz, G. Harris, and weigh whether you trade either Isaac or Bol. Sign Grant Williams or someone similar if either are moved.

[Knightro]

At this very moment...

PG: Fultz, Anthony
SG: Harris, Suggs, Howard
SF: Franz, Black, Houstan, Okeke
PF: Banchero, Isaac, Bol
C: Carter

We'll see what they decide to do with Gary Harris. But as of this very moment he's still under contract and he's still the starting SG.

We'll also see what they decide to do at point guard, but as of this very moment Fultz is the starting PG and Anthony is the backup PG.

There's only one center currently under contract at this very moment.

Things can, should and hopefully will change as free agency begins, but this is the depth chart in my eyes as of 6/23.

[Knightro]

I am SUPREMELY confident in one thing that very few of you all seem to agree with...

If Cole Anthony is on this roster at the start of next season, he's 100 million percent going to be the primary ball handler for the 2nd unit.

The Magic are not moving him off the ball (a role he's always struggled with) coming off the season he just had in the role he was playing.

Now they might trade him, sure. But if he's here, he's playing the same role he played last season and it would be absolutely foolish for him to not be in that role again.

[Black and Blue]

At this very moment...

PG: Fultz, Anthony
SG: Harris, Suggs, Howard
SF: Franz, Black, Houstan, Okeke
PF: Banchero, Isaac, Bol
C: Carter

We'll see what they decide to do with Gary Harris. But as of this very moment he's still under contract and he's still the starting SG.

We'll also see what they decide to do at point guard, but as of this very moment Fultz is the starting PG and Anthony is the backup PG.

There's only one center currently under contract at this very moment.

Things can, should and hopefully will change as free agency begins, but this is the depth chart in my eyes as of 6/23.

Man, I know the Magic love to sit on their hands in free agency, but Anthony Black was right: This is a cluster **** unless some moves are made.

What I would do:
-I'd prioritize getting Wagner back as last year he showed how important he was for us at backup PF and C.
-I'd kick Gary Harris and Bol to the curb, since both have no guaranteed money.
-I would enter free agency contacting teams for trade scenarios with Fultz and Anthony. See who has more value and move him. Keep one as your short term starter and longer term backup (if Black develops). Of the two I would prefer to keep Cole who is younger and cheaper, though I'm guessing the Magic feel otherwise.
-With the PG trade, I would prioritize getting a young backup SF with upside in return. I personally don't feel comfortable giving a ton of minutes to Houstan at this moment.
-I personally have had it with Okeke. He is soft and injured and hasn't developed one bit. I'd see if anyone wants him and if not find a way to unload him for a pile of magic beans.
-I'd then fill out the rest of the roster with the usual gang of Magic 3rd string retreads.

PG: Anthony/Black/3rd stringer
SG: Suggs/Howard/3rd stringer
SF: Franz/Trade target/Houstan
PF: Banchero/Wagner/Isaac (lolz)
C: Carter/Goga/Wagner

This lineup is solid and gives our two new draftees a ton of opportunity to play their way into the starting lineup if the incumbent fails. It also gives us even MORE cap space and flexibility for deals next year once we (hopefully) make the playoffs.

[eyriq]

Looking at the roster and drafting BPA for each role I'd build the rotation like this:

Point guard: Black
Combo guard: Suggs
Shooting guard: Harris
Swing-man: Jett
Small forward: Franz
Combo forward: JI
Power forward: Paolo
Combo big: Moritz
Center: WCJ
Power center: Goga

At PG I'd take Black over Fultz because of the defensive upside, needed player development, FTr advantage, and size upgrade.

At SG I'd take Harris over Suggs for Harris's elite floor spacing.

At SF, PF, and C it's pretty obvious.

At combo guard I'm taking Suggs over Fultz and Cole for player development, defensive versatility, and superior on/off numbers.

At swing-man I'm taking Jett over Houstan and Okeke for player development and offensive versatility.

JI is our 3rd best player when healthy. Moritz is a good stretch 5 that brings energy upside. Goga passed the eye test with his rebounding and shot blocking.

[eyriq]

Some conclusions from the thought experiment.

I don't draft Cole or Fultz into the rotation
I prefer a floor spacer archetype at SG

Some problems come to mind.

We won't have enough scoring in the starting backcourt. We need Franz to increase his usage to > 25% anyway but still, the drop off in scoring from Fultz to rookie Black will hurt, and Harris isn't capable of a larger role.

Which leads me to some trades.

Fultz and Cole for GTJ and a future 1st
Or
Fultz, Cole, and Harris for LaVine
Or something of that nature.

Conclusion: we are trading Fultz and Cole for a shooting guard

[drsd]

Useful thought experiments above on changing the current rotation.

The first questions for management are on G-Harris, Bol and Bitadze. All three have non-guarantees if waived by 30 June.

Then the start of FA signees is July 6. (contracts can be negotiated over the week before, but not signed).

So: I will look to update this thread on 1 Jul and then again on 7 July. By then we will basically have the team up until training camp, where final moves will then be made.

Spoiler:

And as many are voicing their hopes, here are mine: waive G-Harris, retain Bitadze and Bol and then see where the FA market take the team in to subsequent trade opportunities. It is crystal clear that either Suggs or Anthony must be shipped off, for example. But for what?

[Ralof]

-Fultz,Anthony

-Suggs,Black,Houstan

-Wagner,Okeke,Howard

-Banchero,Isaac,Bol

-Wcj,M.Wagner,Bitatdze

pretty sure would be something like this.

[cedric76]

We play positionless, most of our guys can move the ball and unselfish

We ll have size advantage at most position

Important to see is who you can defend

Pg- fultz, Black,suggs and Cole (only position he can somehow defend)
Sg- Harris, Black,suggs, Franz,houstan and Jett (TBD)
Sf- Franz, Chuma, Black, JI, Houstan
Pf- Paolo, Chuma, JI
C - WCJ, goga, JI

Moe+bol can't defend most position

We now solved our defensive issues against opponents ' guards

I expect weham to sign someone like Drew eubanks on a 1+1 contract to save our 2024 cap space

Eubanks is an under rated big that offers basket protection

[MAGICian619]

Right now:

Fultz/Black
Suggs/Cole
F-Wagner/Howard/Houstan
Banchero/Isaac/Bol
Carter/Bitadze

What I want:

Black/Cole
Suggs/(Fultz trade)
F-Wagner/Howard/Houstan
Banchero/Isaac/Bol
Carter/Bitadze

Turn the keys over to Black and let the future begin now.

[yoyojw17]

Fultz/Black
Suggs/Cole
F-Wagner/Howard/Houstan
Banchero/Isaac/Bol
Carter/Bitadze

Yup... This what I'm hoping for going into the season. Love what Bitadze brought to us last season... But hope we can find another center in FA. Even better kai sotto... Show some promise. Lol

Dear Isaac... Please stay healthy.... You would make this team that much better.

[drsd]

Right now:

Fultz/Black
Suggs/Cole
F-Wagner/Howard/Houstan
Banchero/Isaac/Bol
Carter/Bitadze

As of today, there is also G-Harris and Okeke.

..