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I'm a trade guy...I think our correct path forward is a trade with some combo of expiring salary, a decent young player, and pick(s) for a player, preferably young, preferably a good defender, but brings offense from the backcourt - primarily from volume 3pt shooting. BUT, ORL's FO generally plays it safer and more patiently. So, let's look at 2024 Free Agents that could fit our needs and our limited taste for risk (although what's 'riskier' than re-signing guys proven for years to be mediocre, ill-fitting, or constantly injured?-but I digress). So, let's just assume (easy to do) that we slept through the TD...

ORL could have around $58m in cap space if they let everyone walk & waive Isaac's non-guaranteed $17m. This is before the expected large extensions are given to Franz & Suggs - which is the way it works. We could ostensibly sign free agents and then come back to give extensions to our own guys a year ahead of their RFA. Those extensions wouldn't kick in for a year, but they will still certainly be on the minds of our frugal FO (which makes sense if you're not right on the brink of contending).

I think a realistic guess at our "money to spend" could be...

*after we exercise team options for Ingles and Mo Wagner, waive Isaac, let Fultz, Chuma, Harris expire...appx $42m
...we'd still have Goga in limbo as an UFA, probably getting quite a few calls. If he could be extended quickly and under $10m - I'd do it before he even hits the market. He made less than $2m this year and earned a LOT more. Assuming his demands are higher than MLE, I have to think we look to the market before we commit to Goga. Some might even let Ingles go - I wouldn't.

Anyway...without Goga, we have $42

Who are the UFA's we're calling first, second, and third? realistically - don't say Harden or Kawhi, that's not happening, and remember, other teams have cap space too...so don't assume we'll just sign Tyus Jones for $5m because it would be nice.

(also be on the lookout for bargains that might fit positions or skills we need, especially in light of guys leaving)...

Let's go shopping!! Assume we haven't traded any of our guys under contract, so...

PGs...Black, Anthony
SGs...Suggs, Jett
SF...Franz, Ingles, Houstan
PF...Paolo
C...WCJ, M. Wagner

Let Fultz and Harris go.

Add 2 of Malik Monk, Tyus Jones and or Buddy. In order of preference.

Keep JI and sign Goga.

Melton

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1) I'm checking on Claxton before I call Goga in (or after Goga gets a quick offer for $14m+). If Claxton will sign for $15-18 x 3 or 4, we grab him quick. I still keep Goga on the hook with a modest raise but do not entertain a bidding war. I'm growing increasingly intrigued by Mo's play at C, so he's my backup. Once I get Claxton (or Goga) signed, I'm getting serious about moving WCJ - but that's another thread. We'll need a 3rd C, but I'll save that for last, once I've got my main guy. If I have early solid talks with Claxton, I'm probably getting really busy on the trade front with WCJ, because that could be the likelier way to upgrade than just UFA's with our limited remaining spending money.

I'd say it's very unlikely that our FO, even with appx $42 to spend...would spend more than, say $30m (if that) with the pending rookie extensions on their mind...unless they traded existing guys, like WCJ, away. Just from a financial standpoint...they are VERY careful - for better or worse. No way do they just "let it rain" in the FA market (exception...2 year deals for vets with the second a team option-which is great for our situation and seems to be their favorite).

Going on the assumption that Suggs and Black and the rest of the backcourt have shown just moderate improvement with their offense, I'm always looking for shooting and playmaking.

Monk seems like a great fit and might feel he's ready for a starting spot, but it'll take some bucks to get him away from SAC. SAC is kind of limited in what they can pay him (4yr $78m), but it's still a lot and he's been great for them. He was pretty sloppy early in his career, so I'm not feeling super sure about a $20m per deal for him, despite his recent performance. Love to have him but concerns.

Hield $24, Beasley $15, GTJ $17, Kennard $15, Evan Fournier $18, McBuckets $14 (present salaries) are all likely to take pay cuts as UFAs who don't play defense at a high (or in some cases, any) level. Honestly, I'd love any for a bargain, but I don't know how well they'd fit. My favorite scenario is to get one cheap at the TD for a try-out until the end of the year. I don't know if Mosely values these kinds of guys.

Realistically, I'm looking for vet 3&D bargains for shooters. I've locked up Suggs, Franz, Paolo, and Claxton in my starting lineup, so I'm likelier to go bigger in a trade for another starting guard (Brogdon, Simons, Huerter, etc) who is under contract. So, I'm now just looking for depth and shooting at multiple spots. Some names and their present salaries...

Guys that fill a couple of needs: Tyus Jones 14.5 Kelly Olynyk $12 Kyle Anderson $9 Monte Morris $9

Vet Shooters/3&D: Royce O'Neale 9 Grayson Allen 9m - we'd have to overpay, I think. Robert Covington 12
Alec Burks 10m KCP $15 (PO)-not happening Saddiq Bey $5 - getting a raise
*any of these guys on a 1/1 deal under $10 would be great role players (or bigger roles than present)

Late 3rd stringers that know how to play and would fit (vet mins?)...
Kris Dunn/PG $2m Miles Plumlee/C $5m Cam Payne/PG $3m

"Shocking Discounts-I want to retire in FL" 1/1 deals, deep discounts for wealthy vets that could actually have big roles...
Gordon Hayward currently 30m Mike Conley currently 23m James Wiseman currently 10m, 22yo

Wild Cards:
Miles Bridges, presently $8m, big talent but... What the hell happened to Bouknight? $4.5

So, mine is: Claxton $16m x 4, Kyle Anderson $10 1/1, Wiseman $2m 1/1 (Trade WCJ for Brogdon or add for Simons)
...again, I'm trying to be realistic - these are not the best players in the NBA, just prudent fits/risks. As I worked through this, I really didn't see any Lead Guards I'd want to throw significant free agent money at...even though that's priority #1. IQ would have been the one, but TOR will not let him go, like NYK might have had to.

Claxton, M. Wagner, Wiseman
Paolo, Anderson,
Franz, Ingles, Houstan
Suggs, Cole, Jett
Brogdon, Black, Dunn


Alright, have at it...

I'd go after Malik Monk hard. Maybe Claxton, Kyle Anderson, Kennard also.

But it starts with Trade Deadline Feb 8th. And the playoff run we are about to put up.

If things fall the way it is designed, we can execute the plan

I expect WeHam to make a trade for a playoff push imo. Not blockbuster tho

Trade for Mikal (WCJ,AB, Picks), throw a big contract at Claxton, resign Goga

Claxton/Goga
Paolo/Mo/JI
Franz/Ingles/Houstan
Mikal/Jett
Suggs/Cole/FA

thelead wrote:Trade for Mikal (WCJ,AB, Picks), throw a big contract at Claxton, resign Goga

Claxton/Goga
Paolo/Mo/JI
Franz/Ingles/Houstan
Mikal/Jett
Suggs/Cole/FA

Mikal Bridges would be a perfect fit for us. 3 and D guy in Phoenix and now the focal point in Brooklyn. Great shooter and great defense. Can fit in right away with Franz and Paolo

But there is no way, at least in my opinion, Brooklyn is trading him. They want to rebuild around him. If he is available, I hope we are all in on getting him

MasterGMer wrote:

thelead wrote:Trade for Mikal (WCJ,AB, Picks), throw a big contract at Claxton, resign Goga

Claxton/Goga
Paolo/Mo/JI
Franz/Ingles/Houstan
Mikal/Jett
Suggs/Cole/FA

Mikal Bridges would be a perfect fit for us. 3 and D guy in Phoenix and now the focal point in Brooklyn. Great shooter and great defense. Can fit in right away with Franz and Paolo

But there is no way, at least in my opinion, Brooklyn is trading him. They want to rebuild around him. If he is available, I hope we are all in on getting him

Bridges is having a bad year and becomes worse every month so far. They may want to cash in as long as his trade value is high and start a real rebuild.

CarraT wrote:

MasterGMer wrote:

thelead wrote:Trade for Mikal (WCJ,AB, Picks), throw a big contract at Claxton, resign Goga

Claxton/Goga
Paolo/Mo/JI
Franz/Ingles/Houstan
Mikal/Jett
Suggs/Cole/FA

Mikal Bridges would be a perfect fit for us. 3 and D guy in Phoenix and now the focal point in Brooklyn. Great shooter and great defense. Can fit in right away with Franz and Paolo

But there is no way, at least in my opinion, Brooklyn is trading him. They want to rebuild around him. If he is available, I hope we are all in on getting him

Bridges is having a bad year and becomes worse every month so far. They may want to cash in as long as his trade value is high and start a real rebuild.

Do you know how many points Mikal scored tonight?

MasterGMer wrote:

CarraT wrote:

MasterGMer wrote:
Mikal Bridges would be a perfect fit for us. 3 and D guy in Phoenix and now the focal point in Brooklyn. Great shooter and great defense. Can fit in right away with Franz and Paolo

But there is no way, at least in my opinion, Brooklyn is trading him. They want to rebuild around him. If he is available, I hope we are all in on getting him

Bridges is having a bad year and becomes worse every month so far. They may want to cash in as long as his trade value is high and start a real rebuild.

Do you know how many points Mikal scored tonight?

What determines the trade value? A single game score, or the season average?

Klay Thompson looked pissed about being subbed out last night. Kerr is increasingly being questioned by players. Klay is certainly not who he once was, but...talk about a guy who hunts shots in the big moments. I can't imagine GSW blowing it up mid-season, and if they did, they wouldn't be looking at our guys to contend - and I wouldn't want to move significant guys for a likely rental.

What about in FA? Seems like a guy that would only play for a contender, even if he's taking a big pay cut...but that would be some instant relevance for ORL's backcourt scoring...not sure how much I'd be willing to pay, no more than a 2 year deal.

Let's say we continue to fight our way through the tough stretch, get healthy and then stomp the last third of the season and march into the 2nd round...I'd have to think some significant vets might take ORL very seriously as a place they could make a difference.

Only really interested in Jones and the point guard situation.

Cole is entirely too streaky to be a lead point.
Black will need time to adjust into carving out starters minutes.
Fultz will be playing in Beijing next season.

Doubtful that Orlando moves on from Goga and/or Carter for the discounts we will get from those contracts.

So sad seeing Fultz's jumper last night. I was always a big supporter, but man that hitch is reminiscent of his 76er days. He's done, so I say let him go.

OrlMagic05 wrote:So sad seeing Fultz's jumper last night. I was always a big supporter, but man that hitch is reminiscent of his 76er days. He's done, so I say let him go.

Like always, we waited just as long to him having no trade value at all. We should have cashed in last season or in the summer with a trade. But our lazy ass FO rather be "evaluating" for ages until the contract almost expires or players themselfes are demanding trades (Vuc, Gordon)

CarraT wrote:

OrlMagic05 wrote:So sad seeing Fultz's jumper last night. I was always a big supporter, but man that hitch is reminiscent of his 76er days. He's done, so I say let him go.

Like always, we waited just as long to him having no trade value at all. We should have cashed in last season or in the summer with a trade. But our lazy ass FO rather be "evaluating" for ages until the contract almost expires or players themselfes are demanding trades (Vuc, Gordon)

Even the best GM's aren't trying to eke value out of every single marginal player who may or may not have a future here. If he didn't have his hitch return, he played well enough last season to have some sort of role in the future, even if it was backup PG. I think they were willing to let him play himself into or out of a contract, but not one that would cripple our future moves.

This criticism only makes sense if they had no plan at all for him to stay in any capacity from the beginning, and they still did nothing.. which they did with Bamba, but this feels different.

SOUL wrote:This criticism only makes sense if they had no plan at all for him to stay in any capacity from the beginning, and they still did nothing.. which they did with Bamba, but this feels different.

The Bamba thing was especially annoying to me last year because Mo was actually a solid backup center.

He had a nice stretch of games in December with Cole off the bench when the Magic turned their season around.

Knightro wrote:He had a nice stretch of games in December with Cole off the bench when the Magic turned their season around.

The narrative got too strong with Bamba for the fans, unfortunately. One bad hustle play and there's 50 posts about him, meanwhile everybody else was doing it too with no comments lol. He definitely had his warts but found myself wanting him out there more than WCJ a number of times, even when WCJ was playing well.. he gave a different look.

Skybox wrote:we'd still have Goga in limbo as an UFA, probably getting quite a few calls. If he could be extended quickly and under $10m - I'd do it before he even hits the market. He made less than $2m this year and earned a LOT more. Assuming his demands are higher than MLE, I have to think we look to the market before we commit to Goga. Some might even let Ingles go - I wouldn't.

Unfortunately Goga can’t be extended because his contract is only two years, has to be at least three year contract to be extendable.

I think this has a possibility of happening before the deadline:

Brogdon for Fultz, Okeke and a protected first (could just be this year's but the top 8 in the East is tight).

I'd rather get Rozier than Brogdon in trade due to the latter's injury history, but either would be fits next to Paolo, Franz and Suggs.

The way Goga has been playing, unless someone offers him a stupid contract, he must be re-signed.