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I love a juicy, ambitious 12 step summer plan, but I understand that's incredibly unlikely that Weltman makes even 2 moves to rebalance our team.

Here's the challenge:

1.Make one realistic trade
2 Make one realistic MLE (or less) offer to a FA
3. Make your picks with #16 and #25 (or whatever frps you have after your ONE trade)

Priorities should be specified, if they're not obvious or you have something interesting beyond the obvious:

I'll go first - and probably 10x daily until draft night

PRIORITIES (in order of importance)-can't possibly address all, but:
1. Playmaking lead guard who can handle and distribute the ball and get their own points as well. The ideal candidate makes Paolo & Franz' lives easier by setting them up for easy layups off of cuts, open jumpers, etc and drawing defensive attention...at the same time, clearly working AROUND the two star forwards rather than hindering or limiting their impact. Guard should be a good fit next to Suggs as well as taking a more aggressive offensive approach when playing with the second unit. It's not a deal-breaker but, ideally, he should be capable of putting up big points if the opposing defense dares to double down on P&F.
2. Big, physically imposing Center who collects rebounds and scalps on both ends. The defensive anchor that Mose hasn't had behind his POA jackals.
3. Fiscal responsibility. Suggs & Franz will make around $75m next season and Paolo's max coming real soon...gotta be thinking of that at all times, especially at the back of the rotation. It doesn't matter what a guy is worth in a vacuum - it's about the team's sheet and chemistry.

Trade:
ORL sends: WCJ, KCP, Cole Anthony, ORL 26 frp (top 5)
TOR sends: Jakob Poeltl, RJ Barrett
Why TOR: Masai selects Maluach, so WCJ fills in and then can play various spots. Cole expires in a year and get a frp. Poeltl, a more conventional big C, can't move around the lineup like WCJ, so TOR values the savings and versatility of WCJ with Maluach ultimately starting. KCP is a more proven but expensive version of Agbaji...an excellent defender and 3pt shooter on a rookie deal (for now), he could be a trade chip at TD or make someone else expendable. Ingram makes RJ Barrett's overpay a lot less tolerable, so they take on KCP's slight overpay that better complements their lineup.

MLE offer: Ty Jerome, full MLE for 3 years, starting PG

Draft: #16 - Thomas Sorbe (hopefully makes Goga expendable by TD and Moe is back and looking healthy) and Clayton at #25 (or trade it for future pick)

Poeltl, Goga, Moe
Paolo, Sorber, Caleb
Franz, Barrett, TdS
Suggs, Barrett, AB
Jerome, AB, Clayton

We'll know more by trade deadline, but Goga & Jett all might be extraneous if we tighten up the rotation. Lots of interplay between starters & bench.

Meant this to be brief - just can't

I'll go again...just to see if I can be brief

Trade: ORL sends Goga, ORL 26 frp (top 5) & #25 to DET for Ivey
Why DET: they've done well without Ivey, so they opt to shore up big man depth and grab start building a pick stash for future moves...before Ivey gets paid.

MLE (or less): Steven Adams...possibly even starts over WCJ, allowing WCJ and Sorber to play in different combos at 4/5. Picks & Boards on both ends.

Draft: Thomas Sorber at #16

Adams, WCJ, Sorber (Moe)
Paolo, Isaac, WCJ
Franz, Caleb, TdS
Suggs, KCP, TdS, Jett
Ivey, AB, CoJo, Cole

Cole and Jett are essentially expirings that will rarely play and, hopefully, can generate some slight return at TD.

Trades:
Mil: Giannis
Orl: Paolo, KCP, Jett, Corey
(works in Trade Machine)

FA: Schroder

Draft:
#16: Kasparas Jakucionis
#25: Walter Clayton Jr.

PG: Suggs, Clayton, Schroder
SG: AB, Cole, Jakucionis
SF: Franz, TDS, Caleb
PF: Giannis, Issac
C: WCJ, Mo, Goga

(if I made the above I'd try these trades as well)

Port: R Williams
Orl: Cole

Utah: Sexton
Orl: WCJ, Joseph, future 2nds

PG: Suggs, Clayton,Schroeder
SG: AB, Sexton, Jakucionis
SF: Franz, TDS, Caleb
PF: Giannis, Issac
C: R Williams, Mo, Goga

Trade:
Orl Sends: WCJ, Cole, ‘25 FRP (#16)
Por Sends: SnT Simons on 4 year deal similar to Suggs.


MLE:
- Gary Trent JR is a common name and I don’t disagree
- Tyus Jones would be an upgrade over Joseph

Draft:
#25 (from Denver): Draft a Center
- Maluach?

Tbh, I am a big Cole fan. But this game 4 he only played 2 minutes. Again he had 2 fouls and 1 Turnover thus Coach Mose didn't play him. I really wish he could be our sixth man of the team. But for the most of the season, he under performed.

So I really like Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr.. I think he is a bucket getter off of the bench and 3 pt threat for this Magic squad.

I honestly think we gonna make some changes this summer. Of course, playoff is not over. But running it back won't guarantee the success next season. And this season for the Magic team? We under achieved, mostly due to injury.

Do we need a star in return, yes and no. It won't guarantee you anything. However, we need the right guys. Guys we could go after with our MLE is Ty Jerome from Cleveland. Cleveland is going a whole sale this summer. They can not afford their team right now with 45M increase in Mobley's contract.

Maybe we can go after guys like Derrick White from Boston. Boston is trying to sell because they are well above second apron.

Do we need to trust our young core? Yes, they are still young but the problem is our supporting cast. KCP is a vast disappointment this season. After all, we need some changes.

I feel like this is a trade thread

Skybox wrote:I'll go again...just to see if I can be brief

Trade: ORL sends Goga, ORL 26 frp (top 5) & #25 to DET for Ivey
Why DET: they've done well without Ivey, so they opt to shore up big man depth and grab start building a pick stash for future moves...before Ivey gets paid.

MLE (or less): Steven Adams...possibly even starts over WCJ, allowing WCJ and Sorber to play in different combos at 4/5. Picks & Boards on both ends.

Draft: Thomas Sorber at #16

Adams, WCJ, Sorber (Moe)
Paolo, Isaac, WCJ
Franz, Caleb, TdS
Suggs, KCP, TdS, Jett
Ivey, AB, CoJo, Cole

Cole and Jett are essentially expirings that will rarely play and, hopefully, can generate some slight return at TD.

I like Ivey but he’s not going to do us any favors with his spacing.

MasterGMer wrote:Tbh, I am a big Cole fan. But this game 4 he only played 2 minutes. Again he had 2 fouls and 1 Turnover thus Coach Mose didn't play him. I really wish he could be our sixth man of the team. But for the most of the season, he under performed.

So I really like Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr.. I think he is a bucket getter off of the bench and 3 pt threat for this Magic squad.

I honestly think we gonna make some changes this summer. Of course, playoff is not over. But running it back won't guarantee the success next season. And this season for the Magic team? We under achieved, mostly due to injury.

Do we need a star in return, yes and no. It won't guarantee you anything. However, we need the right guys. Guys we could go after with our MLE is Ty Jerome from Cleveland. Cleveland is going a whole sale this summer. They can not afford their team right now with 45M increase in Mobley's contract.

Maybe we can go after guys like Derrick White from Boston. Boston is trying to sell because they are well above second apron.

Do we need to trust our young core? Yes, they are still young but the problem is our supporting cast. KCP is a vast disappointment this season. After all, we need some changes.

I would like Clayton over Cole because with the 25th pick, he would make $2.4m instead of $13m that Cole makes. If it doesn't work out, you don't have as much money sitting on the bench.

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CLosP wrote:

Skybox wrote:I'll go again...just to see if I can be brief

Trade: ORL sends Goga, ORL 26 frp (top 5) & #25 to DET for Ivey
Why DET: they've done well without Ivey, so they opt to shore up big man depth and grab start building a pick stash for future moves...before Ivey gets paid.

MLE (or less): Steven Adams...possibly even starts over WCJ, allowing WCJ and Sorber to play in different combos at 4/5. Picks & Boards on both ends.

Draft: Thomas Sorber at #16

Adams, WCJ, Sorber (Moe)
Paolo, Isaac, WCJ
Franz, Caleb, TdS
Suggs, KCP, TdS, Jett
Ivey, AB, CoJo, Cole

Cole and Jett are essentially expirings that will rarely play and, hopefully, can generate some slight return at TD.

I like Ivey but he’s not going to do us any favors with his spacing.

Detroit got better after Ivey was injured.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

Rainwater wrote:I feel like this is a trade thread

I thought everybody would just throw in their “vote” but I get it- tough not to comment

MasterGMer wrote:Tbh, I am a big Cole fan. But this game 4 he only played 2 minutes. Again he had 2 fouls and 1 Turnover thus Coach Mose didn't play him. I really wish he could be our sixth man of the team. But for the most of the season, he under performed.

So I really like Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr.. I think he is a bucket getter off of the bench and 3 pt threat for this Magic squad.

I honestly think we gonna make some changes this summer. Of course, playoff is not over. But running it back won't guarantee the success next season. And this season for the Magic team? We under achieved, mostly due to injury.

Do we need a star in return, yes and no. It won't guarantee you anything. However, we need the right guys. Guys we could go after with our MLE is Ty Jerome from Cleveland. Cleveland is going a whole sale this summer. They can not afford their team right now with 45M increase in Mobley's contract.

Maybe we can go after guys like Derrick White from Boston. Boston is trying to sell because they are well above second apron.

Do we need to trust our young core? Yes, they are still young but the problem is our supporting cast. KCP is a vast disappointment this season. After all, we need some changes.

Interesting

Trade: Cole + JI + 27 (protected) for Simons
MLE: Finney-Smith
Draft: McKinney and Clayton

We need more than one move

PRIORITIES:

Shooting
The playmaking myth ends here. Orlando misses wide-open threes at a league-elite rate. This can only be fixed by acquiring actual shooters. F-Wagner and Banchero are this team’s “PG”.

Fiscal Responsibility
To position the Magic for long-term flexibility, moving off the Anthony and Caldwell-Pope contracts is essential. This keeps the path clear for the 2026/27 cap environment, where stability becomes possible. The 10% annum cap increases will allow the Magic to start retooling from the year after Banchero's max kicks in.

Breaking the "One Trade" Rule: This Team Needs Two

Trade 1
Orlando sends: Caldwell-Pope, Howard, Orlando 1st-round pick
Portland sends: Simons
Why for Portland: Simons becomes the clear starting off-guard. Portland adds two assets (Howard + pick) and a contract to meet their salary floor requirements.

Trade 2
Orlando sends: Anthony, Houstan (team option exercised), Denver 1st-round pick, both 2nd-round picks
Utah sends: Sexton
Why for Utah: They get a player (Anthony) who might flourish in a new situation, two assets, and two young G-leaguers to develop—or not. Sexton’s expiring status means his trade value is modest.

MLE Offer: Luke Kennard (3 years, $10M per year, on a 12/10/8-contract) as a backup wing/shooter.

Draft: Pass – no new draftees this year. Hoorah!

Filling Out the Roster to 14
Re-sign Cory Joseph (team option)
LLE Signing: Lonnie Walker IV (as shooting guard depth)



Suggs/Sexton/Joseph
Simons/Black/Walker
F-Wagner/Kennard/da Silva
Banchero/Isaac
Carter/M-Wagner/Bitadze

Leaving open the 15th slot for a training camp and to assess if a G-leaguer, Two-way player can make the team.

drsd wrote:PRIORITIES:

Shooting
The playmaking myth ends here. Orlando misses wide-open threes at a league-elite rate. This can only be fixed by acquiring actual shooters. F-Wagner and Banchero are this team’s “PG”.

Fiscal Responsibility
To position the Magic for long-term flexibility, moving off the Anthony and Caldwell-Pope contracts is essential. This keeps the path clear for the 2026/27 cap environment, where stability becomes possible. The 10% annum cap increases will allow the Magic to start retooling from the year after Banchero's max kicks in.

Breaking the "One Trade" Rule: This Team Needs Two

Trade 1
Orlando sends: Caldwell-Pope, Howard, Orlando 1st-round pick
Portland sends: Simons
Why for Portland: Simons becomes the clear starting off-guard. Portland adds two assets (Howard + pick) and a contract to meet their salary floor requirements.

Trade 2
Orlando sends: Anthony, Houstan (team option exercised), Denver 1st-round pick, both 2nd-round picks
Utah sends: Sexton
Why for Utah: They get a player (Anthony) who might flourish in a new situation, two assets, and two young G-leaguers to develop—or not. Sexton’s expiring status means his trade value is modest.

MLE Offer: Luke Kennard (3 years, $10M per year, on a 12/10/8-contract) as a backup wing/shooter.

Draft: Pass – no new draftees this year. Hoorah!

Filling Out the Roster to 14
Re-sign Cory Joseph (team option)
LLE Signing: Lonnie Walker IV (as shooting guard depth)



Suggs/Sexton/Joseph
Simons/Black/Walker
F-Wagner/Kennard/da Silva
Banchero/Isaac
Carter/M-Wagner/Bitadze

Leaving open the 15th slot for a training camp and to assess if a G-leaguer, Two-way player can make the team.

One question...... Why is Dell still on the roster in this scenario?

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KillMonger wrote:One question...... Why is Dell still on the roster in this scenario?

I actually like the Center rotation. Carter and M-Wagner can stretch the floor. And Bitadze is an outstanding 3rd stringer.
Could there be upgrades? Sure. But the NBA is not currently focused on the C rotation. I am fine.

Cure ED with this ONE simple move your GM doesn't want you to know!

basketballRob wrote:

CLosP wrote:

Skybox wrote:I'll go again...just to see if I can be brief

Trade: ORL sends Goga, ORL 26 frp (top 5) & #25 to DET for Ivey
Why DET: they've done well without Ivey, so they opt to shore up big man depth and grab start building a pick stash for future moves...before Ivey gets paid.

MLE (or less): Steven Adams...possibly even starts over WCJ, allowing WCJ and Sorber to play in different combos at 4/5. Picks & Boards on both ends.

Draft: Thomas Sorber at #16

Adams, WCJ, Sorber (Moe)
Paolo, Isaac, WCJ
Franz, Caleb, TdS
Suggs, KCP, TdS, Jett
Ivey, AB, CoJo, Cole

Cole and Jett are essentially expirings that will rarely play and, hopefully, can generate some slight return at TD.

I like Ivey but he’s not going to do us any favors with his spacing.

Detroit got better after Ivey was injured.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

Ivey needs a couple more years to determine if he can be a solid PG.

thelead wrote:We need more than one move

That's another thread-I've been there once or twice...this is kind of a game, to keep it simple

(not simple enough, I guess)

drsd wrote:PRIORITIES:

Shooting
The playmaking myth ends here. Orlando misses wide-open threes at a league-elite rate. This can only be fixed by acquiring actual shooters. F-Wagner and Banchero are this team’s “PG”.

Fiscal Responsibility
To position the Magic for long-term flexibility, moving off the Anthony and Caldwell-Pope contracts is essential. This keeps the path clear for the 2026/27 cap environment, where stability becomes possible. The 10% annum cap increases will allow the Magic to start retooling from the year after Banchero's max kicks in.

Breaking the "One Trade" Rule: This Team Needs Two

Trade 1
Orlando sends: Caldwell-Pope, Howard, Orlando 1st-round pick
Portland sends: Simons
Why for Portland: Simons becomes the clear starting off-guard. Portland adds two assets (Howard + pick) and a contract to meet their salary floor requirements.

Trade 2
Orlando sends: Anthony, Houstan (team option exercised), Denver 1st-round pick, both 2nd-round picks
Utah sends: Sexton
Why for Utah: They get a player (Anthony) who might flourish in a new situation, two assets, and two young G-leaguers to develop—or not. Sexton’s expiring status means his trade value is modest.

MLE Offer: Luke Kennard (3 years, $10M per year, on a 12/10/8-contract) as a backup wing/shooter.

Draft: Pass – no new draftees this year. Hoorah!

Filling Out the Roster to 14
Re-sign Cory Joseph (team option)
LLE Signing: Lonnie Walker IV (as shooting guard depth)



Suggs/Sexton/Joseph
Simons/Black/Walker
F-Wagner/Kennard/da Silva
Banchero/Isaac
Carter/M-Wagner/Bitadze

Leaving open the 15th slot for a training camp and to assess if a G-leaguer, Two-way player can make the team.

I don’t necessarily disagree with the moves as they do make sense, but I do disagree we don’t need a PG. I think we still need someone who can take the ball out of Paolo/Franz & set those guys up better. It would be nice to get a PG & honestly a SG/SF as none of the guys we have are projecting to be more than filler at this time. It would be nice to get rid of three big man contracts & just get one on a cheap, rookie scale contract. Shift some of that money into another position that’s needed instead of paying three big men & barely any of them are playable (well Mo is hurt but still).