The Guards

[Residual-Heat]

Some interesting stats:
Black (28) made more 3s in his 36 games in college than Markelle (27) in 60 games in the NBA.

Black took 190 FTAs in 36 games compared to Markelle's 143 FTAs in 60 games. Massive difference there.

[ORLMagicGirl15]

We need shooters in the starting lineup, so it either has to be Cole or Suggs has to figure it out, because we are shrinking the space without Harris.

[Skybox]

Do you quit as Magic fans when Fultz starts 75 games this season? Can’t wait.

You have the same kind of loyalty as Wizards' owner, Ted Leonsis...Loyal to Beal, regardless of the circumstances, loyal enough to give him a Supermax on a bad team, loyal enough to give him the only No-Trade Clause in the NBA (which was used to throttle him last week)...I think it's called "Battered Wife Syndrome" and it's quite sad.

I like Fultz, I am happy he's doing better and becoming a viable NBA player. I'm honestly surprised Weltman took a direct shot at him with the #6 pick in the draft. If it's not now, it's as soon as Black is ready to take over. Might as well rip off the band-aid and go elsewhere before it looks like he just got beat out-while his value is potentially positive. If some other team has the patience and tanking plan to roll with him for a few years, they might just end up with a very good player or at least a very good fit for their team...Not here, not anymore, playtime is over. Take Bol with you-that was fun.

[Knightro]

We need shooters in the starting lineup, so it either has to be Cole or Suggs has to figure it out, because we are shrinking the space without Harris.

I agree. I actually don’t think Harris’ departure is as certain as others do based on that alone.

[Knightro]

My general feeling is why put off to tomorrow what you can go ahead and do today?

If you believe the plan should be to let Fultz be the starting PG this season and let Black replace him as starting point guard in 24-25, then I’m not entirely sure why you wouldn’t be in favor of just doing it now.

Seems like the potential long-term benefits would outweigh the short-term pain.

[ORLMagicGirl15]

We need shooters in the starting lineup, so it either has to be Cole or Suggs has to figure it out, because we are shrinking the space without Harris.

I agree. I actually don’t think Harris’ departure is as certain as others do based on that alone.

We have MCW, Goga, and Admiral who are all expiring, we can sign Jett and Black and have Harris stay. I do hope that we keep Goga.

[eyriq]

Some interesting stats:
Black (28) made more 3s in his 36 games in college than Markelle (27) in 60 games in the NBA.

Black took 190 FTAs in 36 games compared to Markelle's 143 FTAs in 60 games. Massive difference there.

Mic drop

[Residual-Heat]

My general feeling is why put off to tomorrow what you can go ahead and do today?

If you believe the plan should be to let Fultz be the starting PG this season and let Black replace him as starting point guard in 24-25, then I’m not entirely sure why you wouldn’t be in favor of just doing it now.

Seems like the potential long-term benefits would outweigh the short-term pain.

I think a lot of people are questioning whether Black is even ready to be a point guard in the NBA in his rookie season. Thats fair IMO. They like that Markelle is the "only real point guard on the roster", fine. They want the Magic to be play off contenders, and I feel the same way.. This is why I think Fultz for Tyus Jones is a great solution i think. Tyus will be able to play alongside Black and Suggs and he is a "true PG". In fact, he may even allow us to start Suggs (who is going to start wanting to play near 30mpg). Black and Cole could come off the bench. Theoretically, Jones-Suggs and Cole-Black arent bad fits. Definitely better than the mess we have now. If Howard performs well off the bench then maybe he can be our main bench scorer and we could move Cole midseason.

As for Harris, IDK i was looking at what the minutes breakdown would look like for the roster and it seems like finding minutes for him would be a struggle.

[pepe1991]

My general feeling is why put off to tomorrow what you can go ahead and do today?

If you believe the plan should be to let Fultz be the starting PG this season and let Black replace him as starting point guard in 24-25, then I’m not entirely sure why you wouldn’t be in favor of just doing it now.

Seems like the potential long-term benefits would outweigh the short-term pain.

I think a lot of people are questioning whether Black is even ready to be a point guard in the NBA in his rookie season. Thats fair IMO. They like that Markelle is the "only real point guard on the roster", fine. They want the Magic to be play off contenders, and I feel the same way.. This is why I think Fultz for Tyus Jones is a great solution i think. Tyus will be able to play alongside Black and Suggs and he is a "true PG". In fact, he may even allow us to start Suggs (who is going to start wanting to play near 30mpg). Black and Cole could come off the bench. Theoretically, Jones-Suggs and Cole-Black arent bad fits. Definitely better than the mess we have now. If Howard performs well off the bench then maybe he can be our main bench scorer and we could move Cole midseason.

As for Harris, IDK i was looking at what the minutes breakdown would look like for the roster and it seems like finding minutes for him would be a struggle.

But he won't learn how to be playmaker in nba by not being playmaker for next 3 years. That's basically what we did with Suggs.

Drafted him at PG, tried him for 1 year, gave up, now we pretend he is shooting guard. All that in favor of top 5 worst starting PG who is reality is just more experienced than them, entering his what? 7th nba year?

Cole, Suggs, Fultz, Black. You have 4 PGs and only Cole on offense fits Banchero, if goal is to set Banchero to be our point forward and guy who dominates the ball.

I'm not really sure what's their vision for this team, and it's fine, who am i to know, but i'm not sure they now either.

[eyriq]

My general feeling is why put off to tomorrow what you can go ahead and do today?

If you believe the plan should be to let Fultz be the starting PG this season and let Black replace him as starting point guard in 24-25, then I’m not entirely sure why you wouldn’t be in favor of just doing it now.

Seems like the potential long-term benefits would outweigh the short-term pain.

I think a lot of people are questioning whether Black is even ready to be a point guard in the NBA in his rookie season. Thats fair IMO. They like that Markelle is the "only real point guard on the roster", fine. They want the Magic to be play off contenders, and I feel the same way.. This is why I think Fultz for Tyus Jones is a great solution i think. Tyus will be able to play alongside Black and Suggs and he is a "true PG". In fact, he may even allow us to start Suggs (who is going to start wanting to play near 30mpg). Black and Cole could come off the bench. Theoretically, Jones-Suggs and Cole-Black arent bad fits. Definitely better than the mess we have now. If Howard performs well off the bench then maybe he can be our main bench scorer and we could move Cole midseason.

As for Harris, IDK i was looking at what the minutes breakdown would look like for the roster and it seems like finding minutes for him would be a struggle.

But he won't learn how to be playmaker in nba by not being playmaker for next 3 years. That's basically what we did with Suggs.

Drafted him at PG, tried him for 1 year, gave up, now we pretend he is shooting guard. All that in favor of top 5 worst starting PG who is reality is just more experienced than them, entering his what? 7th nba year?

Cole, Suggs, Fultz, Black. You have 4 PGs and only Cole on offense fits Banchero, if goal is to set Banchero to be our point forward and guy who dominates the ball.

I'm not really sure what's their vision for this team, and it's fine, who am i to know, but i'm not sure they now either.

I think Black is the perfect fit at PG for Paolo and Franz. Floor general archetype with the following characteristics:

High basketball IQ
Leadership
Excellent passer
Vision and awareness
Defensive savvy
Clutch performer

[Residual-Heat]

My general feeling is why put off to tomorrow what you can go ahead and do today?

If you believe the plan should be to let Fultz be the starting PG this season and let Black replace him as starting point guard in 24-25, then I’m not entirely sure why you wouldn’t be in favor of just doing it now.

Seems like the potential long-term benefits would outweigh the short-term pain.

I think a lot of people are questioning whether Black is even ready to be a point guard in the NBA in his rookie season. Thats fair IMO. They like that Markelle is the "only real point guard on the roster", fine. They want the Magic to be play off contenders, and I feel the same way.. This is why I think Fultz for Tyus Jones is a great solution i think. Tyus will be able to play alongside Black and Suggs and he is a "true PG". In fact, he may even allow us to start Suggs (who is going to start wanting to play near 30mpg). Black and Cole could come off the bench. Theoretically, Jones-Suggs and Cole-Black arent bad fits. Definitely better than the mess we have now. If Howard performs well off the bench then maybe he can be our main bench scorer and we could move Cole midseason.

As for Harris, IDK i was looking at what the minutes breakdown would look like for the roster and it seems like finding minutes for him would be a struggle.

But he won't learn how to be playmaker in nba by not being playmaker for next 3 years. That's basically what we did with Suggs.

Drafted him at PG, tried him for 1 year, gave up, now we pretend he is shooting guard. All that in favor of top 5 worst starting PG who is reality is just more experienced than them, entering his what? 7th nba year?

Cole, Suggs, Fultz, Black. You have 4 PGs and only Cole on offense fits Banchero, if goal is to set Banchero to be our point forward and guy who dominates the ball.

I'm not really sure what's their vision for this team, and it's fine, who am i to know, but i'm not sure they now either.

Black would be a play maker, just not the starting PG in his first few games as a rookie. I am only suggesting we ease him into that role if he ever lives up to it. If he performs well as a bench playmaker, move Cole midseason. Then if he shows hes ready by season's end, great... He's our future starter. Tyus Jones is expiring, Black can start next season.

I am not that concerned with who gets labelled as PG/SG. Suggs and Black both need to improve their shooting if they want to be long term starters. Otherwise, one of them will always come off the bench for us. Eventually maybe we trade one of them, who knows.

[Skybox]

I think a lot of people are questioning whether Black is even ready to be a point guard in the NBA in his rookie season. Thats fair IMO. They like that Markelle is the "only real point guard on the roster", fine. They want the Magic to be play off contenders, and I feel the same way.. This is why I think Fultz for Tyus Jones is a great solution i think. Tyus will be able to play alongside Black and Suggs and he is a "true PG". In fact, he may even allow us to start Suggs (who is going to start wanting to play near 30mpg). Black and Cole could come off the bench. Theoretically, Jones-Suggs and Cole-Black arent bad fits. Definitely better than the mess we have now. If Howard performs well off the bench then maybe he can be our main bench scorer and we could move Cole midseason.

As for Harris, IDK i was looking at what the minutes breakdown would look like for the roster and it seems like finding minutes for him would be a struggle.

But he won't learn how to be playmaker in nba by not being playmaker for next 3 years. That's basically what we did with Suggs.

Drafted him at PG, tried him for 1 year, gave up, now we pretend he is shooting guard. All that in favor of top 5 worst starting PG who is reality is just more experienced than them, entering his what? 7th nba year?

Cole, Suggs, Fultz, Black. You have 4 PGs and only Cole on offense fits Banchero, if goal is to set Banchero to be our point forward and guy who dominates the ball.

I'm not really sure what's their vision for this team, and it's fine, who am i to know, but i'm not sure they now either.

Black would be a play maker, just not the starting PG in his first few games as a rookie. I am only suggesting we ease him into that role if he ever lives up to it. If he performs well as a bench playmaker, move Cole midseason. Then if he shows hes ready by season's end, great... He's our future starter. Tyus Jones is expiring, Black can start next season.

I am not that concerned with who gets labelled as PG/SG. Suggs and Black both need to improve their shooting if they want to be long term starters. Otherwise, one of them will always come off the bench for us. Eventually maybe we trade one of them, who knows.

Tyus Jones would not be that easy to get...he's one of the most efficient, mistake-free players in the league. Likely the best backup in the league...Not sure why we'd bring in a placeholder unless we move Fultz AND Cole now. He'd be a great example for Black to follow...until he's ready to take over, which would be the looming cloud over anyone brought in to ORL. If we don't just go with Cole, I'd like a guy like Conley, a consummate pro who will accept the situation...he's also a good enough shooter and defender to slide over to 2 if Black needs training wheels next to him (which would be understandable). My priority would be to move Fultz out so it's not a slow, agonizing transition for the team or him. Fultz has been on the rise and could thrive elsewhere, on a team with more shooting and more run and gun offense.

[OrlandoNed]

I think a lot of people are questioning whether Black is even ready to be a point guard in the NBA in his rookie season. Thats fair IMO. They like that Markelle is the "only real point guard on the roster", fine. They want the Magic to be play off contenders, and I feel the same way.. This is why I think Fultz for Tyus Jones is a great solution i think. Tyus will be able to play alongside Black and Suggs and he is a "true PG". In fact, he may even allow us to start Suggs (who is going to start wanting to play near 30mpg). Black and Cole could come off the bench. Theoretically, Jones-Suggs and Cole-Black arent bad fits. Definitely better than the mess we have now. If Howard performs well off the bench then maybe he can be our main bench scorer and we could move Cole midseason.

As for Harris, IDK i was looking at what the minutes breakdown would look like for the roster and it seems like finding minutes for him would be a struggle.

But he won't learn how to be playmaker in nba by not being playmaker for next 3 years. That's basically what we did with Suggs.

Drafted him at PG, tried him for 1 year, gave up, now we pretend he is shooting guard. All that in favor of top 5 worst starting PG who is reality is just more experienced than them, entering his what? 7th nba year?

Cole, Suggs, Fultz, Black. You have 4 PGs and only Cole on offense fits Banchero, if goal is to set Banchero to be our point forward and guy who dominates the ball.

I'm not really sure what's their vision for this team, and it's fine, who am i to know, but i'm not sure they now either.

I think Black is the perfect fit at PG for Paolo and Franz. Floor general archetype with the following characteristics:

High basketball IQ
Leadership
Excellent passer
Vision and awareness
Defensive savvy
Clutch performer

Perfect fit? That’s a joke.

Funny how you ignored the one trait that keeps him from actually being the perfect fit for Franz and Paolo. He can’t spread the floor with a bad jump shot.

[Residual-Heat]

But he won't learn how to be playmaker in nba by not being playmaker for next 3 years. That's basically what we did with Suggs.

Drafted him at PG, tried him for 1 year, gave up, now we pretend he is shooting guard. All that in favor of top 5 worst starting PG who is reality is just more experienced than them, entering his what? 7th nba year?

Cole, Suggs, Fultz, Black. You have 4 PGs and only Cole on offense fits Banchero, if goal is to set Banchero to be our point forward and guy who dominates the ball.

I'm not really sure what's their vision for this team, and it's fine, who am i to know, but i'm not sure they now either.

Black would be a play maker, just not the starting PG in his first few games as a rookie. I am only suggesting we ease him into that role if he ever lives up to it. If he performs well as a bench playmaker, move Cole midseason. Then if he shows hes ready by season's end, great... He's our future starter. Tyus Jones is expiring, Black can start next season.

I am not that concerned with who gets labelled as PG/SG. Suggs and Black both need to improve their shooting if they want to be long term starters. Otherwise, one of them will always come off the bench for us. Eventually maybe we trade one of them, who knows.

Tyus Jones would not be that easy to get...he's one of the most efficient, mistake-free players in the league. Likely the best backup in the league...Not sure why we'd bring in a placeholder unless we move Fultz AND Cole now. He'd be a great example for Black to follow...until he's ready to take over, which would be the looming cloud over anyone brought in to ORL. If we don't just go with Cole, I'd like a guy like Conley, a consummate pro who will accept the situation...he's also a good enough shooter and defender to slide over to 2 if Black needs training wheels next to him (which would be understandable). My priority would be to move Fultz out so it's not a slow, agonizing transition for the team or him. Fultz has been on the rise and could thrive elsewhere, on a team with more shooting and more run and gun offense.

The Wizards have another similar player to Jones in Morris, maybe they would rather have Fultz? Something like Fultz+Bol+2nd might work. I dont know if there will be a lot of bidders for Jones so Fultz and Bol's upside might entice them. Maybe not, Morris would also be a decent option. Conley is a good option as well. Either way i dont want to give up anything more than some combo of Fultz, Bol, Okeke and 2nds.

[eyriq]

But he won't learn how to be playmaker in nba by not being playmaker for next 3 years. That's basically what we did with Suggs.

Drafted him at PG, tried him for 1 year, gave up, now we pretend he is shooting guard. All that in favor of top 5 worst starting PG who is reality is just more experienced than them, entering his what? 7th nba year?

Cole, Suggs, Fultz, Black. You have 4 PGs and only Cole on offense fits Banchero, if goal is to set Banchero to be our point forward and guy who dominates the ball.

I'm not really sure what's their vision for this team, and it's fine, who am i to know, but i'm not sure they now either.

I think Black is the perfect fit at PG for Paolo and Franz. Floor general archetype with the following characteristics:

High basketball IQ
Leadership
Excellent passer
Vision and awareness
Defensive savvy
Clutch performer

Perfect fit? That’s a joke.

Funny how you ignored the one trait that keeps him from actually being the perfect fit for Franz and Paolo. He can’t spread the floor with a bad jump shot.

Orlando Fans Not Worthy of Anthony Black

His shooting could be further along than we think.

Most importantly, it also includes his outside shooting, which is what has been the biggest consternation among Magic fans. Black poured his heart and soul into improving this part of his game. He has reached a point where he knocks down shot after shot. Now, it's just about replicating that motion a little quicker each time.

[Bensational]

My general feeling is why put off to tomorrow what you can go ahead and do today?

If you believe the plan should be to let Fultz be the starting PG this season and let Black replace him as starting point guard in 24-25, then I’m not entirely sure why you wouldn’t be in favor of just doing it now.

Seems like the potential long-term benefits would outweigh the short-term pain.

The plan is and should be for Fultz, Cole, Black and Suggs to be part of our backcourt on a team competing for the playoffs. Best players rise to the top to get the most minutes.

If we moved to let a rookie run point for us, miss the playoffs and end up back in the lottery who do we blame and look to replace next? The rookie PG? Paolo? Franz?

OKC have found a way to play SGA, Giddey and Williams all at once. 3 PGs, one who can’t shoot, sharing the court at the same time. And they just drafted Cason. Nobody is worried about OKC not being able to fit together.

[RookieStar]

My general feeling is why put off to tomorrow what you can go ahead and do today?

If you believe the plan should be to let Fultz be the starting PG this season and let Black replace him as starting point guard in 24-25, then I’m not entirely sure why you wouldn’t be in favor of just doing it now.

Seems like the potential long-term benefits would outweigh the short-term pain.

I think it's to make sure we have an increase in team wins? To me, it's not really about developing Black but more on placating PB and Franz and showing them we are committed to winning and improving for them.

[Knightro]

The plan is and should be for Fultz, Cole, Black and Suggs to be part of our backcourt on a team competing for the playoffs. Best players rise to the top to get the most minutes.

If we moved to let a rookie run point for us, miss the playoffs and end up back in the lottery who do we blame and look to replace next? The rookie PG? Paolo? Franz?

OKC have found a way to play SGA, Giddey and Williams all at once. 3 PGs, one who can’t shoot, sharing the court at the same time. And they just drafted Cason. Nobody is worried about OKC not being able to fit together.

Jalen Williams is an off-ball player for OKC. He only averaged 46 touches per game compared to 77 touches for Giddey and 73 touches for SGA.

The Thunder also don't possess the same caliber of front court as the Magic (Paolo 65, Franz 53 touches per game), so more touches go to their guards than will go to the Magic's guards.

If any one of Fultz, Cole or Black could play off the ball as effectively as Williams can, this wouldn't really be an issue for the Magic.

The problem is we already know Fultz and Cole are significantly less effective/outright bad off the ball and Black doesn't project to be a good enough shooter (at least early on) to be effective off the ball either.

So unlike OKC, the Magic have three guys who all need the ball. And you don't play three primary ball handlers.

[SOUL]

I think people are really, really overthinking and overcomplicating it.

Rooks are rooks. As long as there is a legit plan for him to be a lead guard as soon as next year, Black will probably start getting on ball reps from the bench and then ??? as the season progresses. That may be Cole's best spot but whatever, it'll be noticeable if his guard skills from college translate immediately that that's where he should be.

They saw the improvement the team made last season and don't want to risk rocking the boat too much, but they're still undecided about what is "real" and what is a "mirage" about the backcourt. It's solid, but average. I think they think that "If you want to stay, show why you're good enough to stay."

Which means they can afford to play around with lineups until trade deadline/next offseason and move guys. We saw how literally 2-3 weeks into the season last year how easily our depth depletes with an injury or two. And it's clear with the 2025 CBA coming up that we can't realistically sign everyone while also paying Wagner + Banchero and trying to wrangle bigger fish. It's probably why they made and kept these picks, because you saw teams like Denver and other smart teams rebuilding through the draft and posturing towards the future.

This only becomes a problem if Fultz is signed long-term with an intention to be full time PG, making Black's pick questionable.. unless Black at the next level just becomes some weird ass player we could never have predicted.

[fendilim]

Tbh, I think most logical is to have Black play SG most of the time next year. That’s the only logical scenario where we’ll be able to play him big minutes without sacrificing much on competing aspect, as w’ll be able to play him alongside vets.

I think we’ll be playing a lot like how the Celtics play their lineup with White and Smart.

If you look at our offense, there really is no defined role and everyone can run the offense. The position title is really just a title, but everyone can play different roles every play.

The question next though is where the shooting will come from. I think management still believes in internal progression of shooting from Fultz and Suggs. And after last season, there MIGHT be hope. Suggs
Improved significantly and Fultz was showing some ability to shoot off the drivble 3s.