How would you round out the Paolo/Franz/Bol starting lineup?

[thelead]

I'll start with the poll to see if others think Bol deserve a shot a being developed alongside Paolo and Franz.

Bol is such an interesting player and I'm not 100% sure that there is a 'position' for him with Paolo and Franz in the starting lineup but if he can stay healthy, I believe he deserves to start. The real question then becomes, how do you fill out the rest of the roster? Do you go with:

Option 1 (Potential rebounding and interior defense issues. Can Bol remain healthy at the 5? Can Paolo stay out of foul trouble if has to roll into the paint to protect the rim constantly?)

C: Bol
PF: Paolo
SF: Franz
SG: ?
PG: ?

or

Option 2: (Potential shooting and spacing issues. Rebounding and interior defense would still be a concern if the right center isn't in place)

C: ?
PF: Paolo
SF: Bol/Franz
SG: Franz/Bol
PG: ?

Whichever you go with, how do you fill out the rest of the roster knowing we'll get another top 10 pick this year and it being a weak FA class? WCJ may still fit in with that starting unit but I'm not married to the idea of him needing to be a starter. He can definitely be a sixth man type of player for us if needed. That said, what are everyone's thoughts on the above?

For me, I'd like to see how Fultz fits into the puzzle before making any proclamations but I'm just not sure he's the best piece next to Paolo. IMO, someone like a Fred VanVleet would be an awesome target for us but I don't know if we can get him without overpaying in a trade (he's a FA in 2024).

And all of this without even knowing the real story behind JI. He could easily slot in somewhere in here if we use a package consisting of WCJ/Cole in a trade for a starting PG like FVV. Anyway, how would you all realistically fill out the starting lineup if we agree that Paolo/Franz/Bol are the locked in starters (for now)?

[Statlanta]

Option 1.

Gary Harris + Legit NBA PG.

Trade all of Suggs, Fultz, Anthony, whoever started tonight due to Anthony's illness. I don't even think I would trust Henderson in the Legit NBA PG role.

[basketballRob]

Option 1.

Gary Harris + Legit NBA PG.

Trade all of Suggs, Fultz, Anthony, whoever started tonight due to Anthony's illness. I don't even think I would trust Henderson in the Legit NBA PG role.

Harris was a starter less than 50% of the games he played last season. I don't think the Magic are penciling him in as the future starter.

He looks ready to go but they'll probably hold him out an additional couple of months to help the tank.

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[jayrehme]

Bol
Paolo
Franz
Okeke
Suggs

That defense!.. wcj/fultz/houstan first off the bench.. play wcj more against any strong big men

[drsd]

David Steele called the Bol, F-Wagner, Banchero, and Carter lineup, the "Jumbol" lineally.




Anyhow: those 4 with Fultz is an interesting starting five.

[fendilim]

I‘m still hoping for a JI Lineup paired with Franz and Paolo than Bol Bol or WcJ. I think that would have a stronger impact on both ends.

[Skybox]

I don't think Bol's a long term starter. I like the idea of him and Isaac off the bench to inject their particular brands of madness onto the court. IF Isaac returns strong, I could see him ultimately displacing WCJ in the starting lineup. If Bol continues his unlikely progression, perhaps Isaac becomes significant trade bait for our ridiculous backcourt mess.

Bol is such an unconventional presence out there, I'm not sure he really supports the elite ball movement we should be developing with Franz and Paolo. Barring a trade(s) and assuming health all over the roster;

WCJ/Bamba
Paolo/Isaac/M. Wagner
Franz/Bol/Houstan
Harris/Ross
Fultz/Suggs/Cole

Obviously, Cole is too good to be 3rd PG and Houstan deserves time. I just realized I forgot Okeke and RJ. Once again, we've got a lot of players who deserve PT (either for potential or actual talent)...time to make some consolidation moves...

WCJ/Isaac
Paolo/Bol/Moe
Franz/TRoss/Houstan
Gary Trent/Gary Harris
Mike Conley/Suggs

*choose best scoring PG available in the draft, follow up with BPA for depth/shooting with CHI pick...or trade our picks and any of our existing backcourt for SGA or Poole

[cedric76]

Wcj, mo, moritz
Bol, ji
Pb, chuma, houstan
Franz, Harris, Ross
Fultz, suggs, Cole

We are so deep if healthy

[tiderulz]

I don't think Bol's a long term starter. I like the idea of him and Isaac off the bench to inject their particular brands of madness onto the court. IF Isaac returns strong, I could see him ultimately displacing WCJ in the starting lineup. If Bol continues his unlikely progression, perhaps Isaac becomes significant trade bait for our ridiculous backcourt mess.

Bol is such an unconventional presence out there, I'm not sure he really supports the elite ball movement we should be developing with Franz and Paolo. Barring a trade(s) and assuming health all over the roster;

WCJ/Bamba
Paolo/Isaac/M. Wagner
Franz/Bol/Houstan
Harris/Ross
Fultz/Suggs/Cole

Obviously, Cole is too good to be 3rd PG and Houstan deserves time. I just realized I forgot Okeke and RJ. Once again, we've got a lot of players who deserve PT (either for potential or actual talent)...time to make some consolidation moves...

WCJ/Isaac
Paolo/Bol/Moe
Franz/TRoss/Houstan
Gary Trent/Gary Harris
Mike Conley/Suggs

*choose best scoring PG available in the draft, follow up with BPA for depth/shooting with CHI pick...or trade our picks and any of our existing backcourt for SGA or Poole

i agree. and you can develop a player from the bench, they dont have to be a starter

[Knightro]

It's tough. Bol's best position is clearly forward and not center. But the Magic already have two entrenched young guys at the 3/4. I don't think it's the best use of Franz or Banchero to play either of them up a position at the (Franz at the 2, Banchero at the 3) full time either.

Ultimately I think Bol's best served off the bench long term, but obviously they should keep starting him for now with all the injuries.

I'd say the best move for the Magic ultimately is to acquire to a whole new starting backcourt this offseason/trade deadline using the draft, their free agency dollars and their trade assets.

Draft Scoot -> Suggs
Sign Trent Jr -> Sign someone else (Nowell? Strus?)
Wagner -> Houstan
Banchero -> Bol
Carter -> Isaac

[jezzerinho]

Scoot?

Scoot don't Shoot.

Scoot's best NBA comparison could very well end up being Fultz, in terms of game impact.

I'm not sure that's who we need.

[The-Stallion70]

With shooting, which we don't have much right now.

Shooting 30% as a team on threes.

Wendell is taking 3.4 3pt att per game and making 20%. He probably shouldn't be taking them.

Franz needs to shoot better than 19% on 3's.

Need Garris back no doubt.

We should try to trade for McDermott or something

On Bol, imo he is the best center we have on the team. He at least brings elite vertical spacing with his absurd size and the fact that he finishes at the basket so easily. He does get overpowered by stronger guys but his size is still more of an asset there than Wendell. Wendell is strong enough to play center but I've always thought that he was best suited as an elite bench big because he is not really elite in any one area.

[Def Swami]

I'd lean all the way into length. I don't know who the specific players are, but tall, long players that can shoot and play defense is how I'd surround Wagner and Banchero.

[thelead]

I'd lean all the way into length. I don't know who the specific players are, but tall, long players that can shoot and play defense is how I'd surround Wagner and Banchero.

This is why I lean into option 1.

Play Bol and JI at center. Trade WCJ and Cole for a legit starting PG (top 10 PG).

[axl_c_cool]

I'd draft Nick Smith

Trade for a veteran PG with Fultz/Isaac/Harris. If Suggs develops so he can start or he can down the line

Vet PG/Suggs
Smith/Cole
Wagner/Ross
Banchero/Okeke
Bol/WCJ/Bamba


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[j-ragg]

The more time goes by the more I’d like to see FVV here. Doesn’t bother me at all he’s older, he’ll age well.

[thelead]

The more time goes by the more I’d like to see FVV here. Doesn’t bother me at all he’s older, he’ll age well.

That would be one of my top targets as well. He’s a FA in 2024 though. Not sure what it would take in a trade.

[MasterGMer]

I think we need to give Suggs a chance before we move him to another role or trade him. Dude just has too much upside

[thelead]

I think we need to give Suggs a chance before we move him to another role or trade him. Dude just has too much upside

100% but if he can’t string a few great games together he becomes trade bait after the season if the right deal comes along. I’m not saying that we NEED to trade him but I would certainly explore it if he can’t show any sort of consistency out there.

[MasterGMer]

I think we need to give Suggs a chance before we move him to another role or trade him. Dude just has too much upside

100% but if he can’t string a few great games together he becomes trade bait after the season if the right deal comes along. I’m not saying that we NEED to trade him but I would certainly explore it if he can’t show any sort of consistency out there.

I am on the Suggs Bus.

Can anyone point out Class 2023 Free Agency list? What legit starter or star can we get? We have a lot of Cap Space!

Anti Jewish Kyrie Irving? Or Russ? KAT?