The Decision on Fultz?

[zaymon]

As a Fultz fan, he needs to go to the bench and the starting role needs to go to Suggs. Yes, that will likely lose us more games but we need to see what we have with Suggs. I'm all for keeping Fultz and getting his contract in-line with typical backup pg salaries after next season.

I'd agree but for the implications in chemistry and culture. I think that would be a toxic decision. I prefer Suggs to Fultz. He needs to earn it though

I'm actively trying not to get too caught up with our starting front court at the moment. In a season in which we are checking what young talent rises to the top, Paolo, Franz and Carter are the only safe players. It's entirely possible the best 2 players available in our slots in the upcoming draft are guards, and (should those pan out) our current guards aren't even on the team in 2 years time.

If I'm the Magic I'm doubling and tripling down on Paolo, Franz and Carter (in forecasting my contracts on when Paolo and Franz will be eligible for new contracts/extensions), deciding who else on the roster will stay as quality backups, and keeping cap flexibility while hunting for those missing PG and SG starting pieces this offseason.

As unfair as it seems, I do feel like the window for being a starter is closing on Suggs rapidly and it's up to him to pry it back open. By that I mean the team can't avoid drafting or signing guards, assuming Suggs just turns it on at some point. The Magic need to capitalize on Paolo and Franz while they are under team control for several more years and the team is bad enough to draft high in the lottery.

Speaking of guards, Cole Anthony intimating he deserved to be a starter only hurt his case in Orlando and league-wide. Despite what his ego may allow, his biggest value in the NBA is as an offense-first backup guard in the mold of Immanuel Quickley.

I dont think window is closing for Suggs, but his injuries are troubling and maybe its better to limit his minutes this season. I dont think his status this year will matter much in the future. In theory Suggs is a perfect point guard for us. Switchable, doesnt need much usage. Even if we trade for/sign FVV, Suggs can start next to him or develop behind him.

[jezzerinho]

Speaking of guards, Cole Anthony intimating he deserved to be a starter only hurt his case in Orlando and league-wide. Despite what his ego may allow, his biggest value in the NBA is as an offense-first backup guard in the mold of Immanuel Quickley.

I heard the Cole interview and I don't think he was saying what some are reading into it.

He was asked, more or less, how he was able to come in to the game in question and put in a dominant performance, given he was coming off the bench more. His answer to me was more that he approached it with a starter's mentality. I didn't find it too pointed or arrogant, tbh.

Coles issue is he can't defend. Its not that he doesn't try, its that he cant seem to overcome his physical limitations. Given FVV can, it might be interesting to see if Cole could develop as a defender if Fred was ever signed.

[eyriq]

As a Fultz fan, he needs to go to the bench and the starting role needs to go to Suggs. Yes, that will likely lose us more games but we need to see what we have with Suggs. I'm all for keeping Fultz and getting his contract in-line with typical backup pg salaries after next season.

I'd agree but for the implications in chemistry and culture. I think that would be a toxic decision. I prefer Suggs to Fultz. He needs to earn it though

I'm actively trying not to get too caught up with our starting front court at the moment. In a season in which we are checking what young talent rises to the top, Paolo, Franz and Carter are the only safe players. It's entirely possible the best 2 players available in our slots in the upcoming draft are guards, and (should those pan out) our current guards aren't even on the team in 2 years time.

If I'm the Magic I'm doubling and tripling down on Paolo, Franz and Carter (in forecasting my contracts on when Paolo and Franz will be eligible for new contracts/extensions), deciding who else on the roster will stay as quality backups, and keeping cap flexibility while hunting for those missing PG and SG starting pieces this offseason.

As unfair as it seems, I do feel like the window for being a starter is closing on Suggs rapidly and it's up to him to pry it back open. By that I mean the team can't avoid drafting or signing guards, assuming Suggs just turns it on at some point. The Magic need to capitalize on Paolo and Franz while they are under team control for several more years and the team is bad enough to draft high in the lottery.

Speaking of guards, Cole Anthony intimating he deserved to be a starter only hurt his case in Orlando and league-wide. Despite what his ego may allow, his biggest value in the NBA is as an offense-first backup guard in the mold of Immanuel Quickley.

Great way to put it. I'm 100% on board with this mindset. I'm thrilled with Fultz as a fringe starter and high on his continued development but not married to the idea. I love Suggs for all the reasons I love Fultz (defense, chemistry, heart, clutch gene, high IQ) but again he's got his own issues to work through. If we can get a high upside PG in the draft and we do it I'll respect it and get super excited.

WCJ is such a stud and definitely an easy player to consider part of the core.

[JoshuaPotter]

It's not that the "window is closing" for Suggs as much as the probability for him being our no 3 option behind Franz and Paulo is diminishing with the final fall so to speak being the start of next season.

It's a reminder, our starting PG / SG situation is fringe top 20-30 at best and Suggs cannot crack into that? As I have stated, the notion of "we are tanking" is long, LOONNGG gone. We are mainly where we are due to a combination of injury, chemistry, two amazing power forwards that somehow manage to make most games close for us so that if ANYONE on the team knows how to play basketball well be OK.

I also agree that Carter is "one of us". I am not liking the idea of trading him unless its for an all-star caliber center.

So TL DR.
Suggs can't break into the SL is bad.

Carter is part of the Paulo / Franz train

Our PG / SG is abysmal but we can't improve it within trading away a key piece to our rebuild.

Agreed, if we nab two guards via draft, 2 years from now there is a chance nobody on our roster that has a "G" in their playing position is around.

[VFX]

It's not that the "window is closing" for Suggs as much as the probability for him being our no 3 option behind Franz and Paulo is diminishing with the final fall so to speak being the start of next season.

It's a reminder, our starting PG / SG situation is fringe top 20-30 at best and Suggs cannot crack into that? As I have stated, the notion of "we are tanking" is long, LOONNGG gone. We are mainly where we are due to a combination of injury, chemistry, two amazing power forwards that somehow manage to make most games close for us so that if ANYONE on the team knows how to play basketball well be OK.

I also agree that Carter is "one of us". I am not liking the idea of trading him unless its for an all-star caliber center.

So TL DR.
Suggs can't break into the SL is bad.

Carter is part of the Paulo / Franz train

Our PG / SG is abysmal but we can't improve it within trading away a key piece to our rebuild.

Agreed, if we nab two guards via draft, 2 years from now there is a chance nobody on our roster that has a "G" in their playing position is around.

We will see what happens with Suggs and his ability for getting injured so often. If it continues to happen well into the third season of his rookie contract, then he can be replaced by a guy Orlando chooses to draft. The 2023 draft will have that player.

No way in hell am I OK with replacing him with a guy that doesn’t run a half court offense, shoot 3s, or get to the line. The same could be said for a streaky backup that thinks he provides more than he realistically does. Maybe Mosely is ok with that.

Franz/Paolo/Carter are the safest bets right now for the building blocks. Despite what some people think of Carter, there are so few Centers that do what he’s doing for what he’s being paid. I’m fine with him developing his weaknesses with that contract.