The current depth chart

[anothermagicfan]

A lot of guards now. Something or someone has got to give. 4 players all naturally suited to play the same position isn't going to be viable long-term. And it's not like we can just slide anyone over to the other guard spot-we already have guys there too. My guess is Cole and Harrison are odd men out. We also have a group of often injured guards and forwards and centers. Weird. So I don't necessarily think there's a huge rush to move anyone immediately. There'll be summer league and pre season and up until the trade deadline to try different groups of guards.

I completely expect Cole and Harris to be moved. They may be in the rotation to start the season so this is my ideal depth chart after the trade deadline.

Fultz/Black
Suggs/Jett/Houstan
Franz/Chuma/Houstan/Bol
Paulo/Isaac/Chuma/Moe/Bol
WCJ/Isaac/Moe/Goga/Bol

I could see Bol also being moved if needed. I think he could easily stay as well for the simple reason that he's a very unique player that does things on the court that most can't do at his size.

I also don't know if Moe or Goga stick around or not. I don't for see iether being much more than benchwarmer unless they're covering for an injured player. Both could be replaced.

I love the teams filled with really good defenders and I really really really want to see us try a full onslaught defensive lineup with Franz and banchero resting for the games finishes with this group

Fultz/Suggs/Black/Chuma/Isaac

And as far as Cole/Harris/Bol/Moe/Goga I see those guys as eventually all being traded for second round picks to be sold, I mean traded for cash considerations.

[drsd]

ESPN sees the current depth chart as:

Fultz/Black/Suggs
G-Harris/Anthony/Houstan
F-Wagner/Howard
Banchero/Isaac/ Okeke
Carter/Bol/Bitadze

Very odd to me.

ESPN link

[VFX]

ESPN sees the current depth chart as:

Fultz/Black/Suggs
G-Harris/Anthony/Houstan
F-Wagner/Howard
Banchero/Isaac/ Okeke
Carter/Bol/Bitadze

Very odd to me.

ESPN link

This is the real depth chart.

Fultz/Cole/Black
Harris/Suggs/Howard
Wagner/Okeke/Houstan
Banchero/Bol/Isaac
Carter/Bitadze/Wagner

The highlighted is the issue.

Howard and Houstan will get more minutes when Harris is off the books.

[drsd]

This is the real depth chart.

Fultz/Cole/Black
Harris/Suggs/Howard
Wagner/Okeke/Houstan
Banchero/Bol/Isaac
Carter/Bitadze/Wagner

The highlighted is the issue.

Howard and Houstan will get more minutes when Harris is off the books.

I 100% agree that today both Black and Howard are 3rd stringers. And that cannot actually be true. A roster change MUST happen.

To quibble, I cannot agree that Okeke is a primary backup.
(( also, technically, M-Wagner is not a Magician ))


I have today's depth chart as:
Fultz/Anthony/Black
G-Harris/Suggs/Howard
F-Wagner/Bol/Houstan
Banchero/Isaac/Okeke
Carter/Bitadze


..

[MartinsIzAfraud]

We play positionless, most of our guys can move the ball and unselfish

We ll have size advantage at most position

Important to see is who you can defend

Pg- fultz, Black,suggs and Cole (only position he can somehow defend)
Sg- Harris, Black,suggs, Franz,houstan and Jett (TBD)
Sf- Franz, Chuma, Black, JI, Houstan
Pf- Paolo, Chuma, JI
C - WCJ, goga, JI

Moe+bol can't defend most position

We now solved our defensive issues against opponents ' guards

I expect weham to sign someone like Drew eubanks on a 1+1 contract to save our 2024 cap space

Eubanks is an under rated big that offers basket protection

You can’t play positionless when 1/2 your starting lineup can’t shoot. Sure they can guard 1-3 but that makes us switchable not positionless for the reasons below.

Fultz is a PG that’s it. He can’t function without the ball.
Suggs and Cole are SGs. They can’t really facilitate much.
Black is a PG who needs the ball & might be able to play off ball a bit later in career.

Okeke Houstan are barely NBA players IMO.

[Knightro]

Suggs and Cole are SGs. They can’t really facilitate much.

I push back on this one.

Cole isn't a point guard in the respect that he's not a great or natural facilitator, but he's a PG in the respect that he's not very good or comfortable without the basketball in his hands, thus ultimately making him a poor facilitating point guard.

This idea that Cole can be a backup SG isn't something that's really viable based on how he actually plays. He needs to bring the ball up create things off the dribble to be an effective player.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

Suggs and Cole are SGs. They can’t really facilitate much.

I push back on this one.

Cole isn't a point guard in the respect that he's not a great or natural facilitator, but he's a PG in the respect that he's not very good or comfortable without the basketball in his hands, thus ultimately making him a poor facilitating point guard.

This idea that Cole can be a backup SG isn't something that's really viable based on how he actually plays. He needs to bring the ball up create things off the dribble to be an effective player.

better way to say it and agree for sure

[Black and Blue]

Suggs and Cole are SGs. They can’t really facilitate much.

I push back on this one.

Cole isn't a point guard in the respect that he's not a great or natural facilitator, but he's a PG in the respect that he's not very good or comfortable without the basketball in his hands, thus ultimately making him a poor facilitating point guard.

This idea that Cole can be a backup SG isn't something that's really viable based on how he actually plays. He needs to bring the ball up create things off the dribble to be an effective player.

I happen to agree with this, and think this is reason number one why the Magic may be looking to move him. While the team has needed his scoring many times, there seems to be a heavy push for positional flexibility in roster construction.

A lineup of Black/Jett or Free agent/Franz/Paolo/Wendell creates a potential dream scenario of multiple players switching and creating confusion for the defense. It's been the defining characteristic for who this team has targeted (with the heralded "height and length" a feature of this thinking). It makes me see certain current players that have difficulty playing multiple spots as short term band aids to keep the team competitive, but long term trade fodder to bring in value.

[AdamTheGreek]

It’s going to change a lot over the next 72 hours.

Magic Depth Chart:
C: Wendell, Moritz, Goga
PF: Paolo, Isaac, Bol, Chuma
SF: Franz, Houstan, Jett, Admiral
SG: Suggs, Gary
PG: Fultz, Cole, Black, MCW
Two-Way: Kevon Harris, 2nd spot, 3rd spot

[JBSouthpaw]

It’s going to change a lot over the next 72 hours.

Magic Depth Chart:
C: Wendell, Moritz, Goga
PF: Paolo, Isaac, Bol, Chuma
SF: Franz, Houstan, Jett, Admiral
SG: Suggs, Gary
PG: Fultz, Cole, Black, MCW
Two-Way: Kevon Harris, 2nd spot, 3rd spot

I know you didn't like the pick, surprised you see Jett as only a 3.
Do you not see him playing with Franz, PB and WCJ together much?

[Skybox]

Suggs and Cole are SGs. They can’t really facilitate much.

I push back on this one.

Cole isn't a point guard in the respect that he's not a great or natural facilitator, but he's a PG in the respect that he's not very good or comfortable without the basketball in his hands, thus ultimately making him a poor facilitating point guard.

This idea that Cole can be a backup SG isn't something that's really viable based on how he actually plays. He needs to bring the ball up create things off the dribble to be an effective player.

I happen to agree with this, and think this is reason number one why the Magic may be looking to move him. While the team has needed his scoring many times, there seems to be a heavy push for positional flexibility in roster construction.

A lineup of Black/Jett or Free agent/Franz/Paolo/Wendell creates a potential dream scenario of multiple players switching and creating confusion for the defense. It's been the defining characteristic for who this team has targeted (with the heralded "height and length" a feature of this thinking). It makes me see certain current players that have difficulty playing multiple spots as short term band aids to keep the team competitive, but long term trade fodder to bring in value.

Just not enough balls, that's why we almost added a Dick

uggh..I swore I wouldn't

[JoshuaPotter]

I really want to wait to see how Summer League shapes up. I wouldn't be surprised if some people are in limbo while we assess our draft talent and see how ready they are for their upcoming prospective roles.

[AdamTheGreek]

It’s going to change a lot over the next 72 hours.

Magic Depth Chart:
C: Wendell, Moritz, Goga
PF: Paolo, Isaac, Bol, Chuma
SF: Franz, Houstan, Jett, Admiral
SG: Suggs, Gary
PG: Fultz, Cole, Black, MCW
Two-Way: Kevon Harris, 2nd spot, 3rd spot

I know you didn't like the pick, surprised you see Jett as only a 3.
Do you not see him playing with Franz, PB and WCJ together much?

Jett is too weak to play PF and too slow to play SG.
He needs to prove he’s better than Caleb let alone playing in a WCJ, Paolo, Franz lineup.

[drsd]

There has been no rotation changes with the Magic contracts. Ingles has a clear role in this depth chart as there was not a previous backup SF.

Here is where we stand as of today:
Fultz/Anthony/Black
G-Harris/Suggs/Howard
F-Wagner/Ingles/Bol/Houstan
Banchero/Isaac/Okeke
Carter/Bitadze

That's 15 players. So unless the Magic waive Houstan or Bol, M-Wagner is no longer a Magician.

(edit: or make a 2 for 1 player trade to create a new roster slot. Say G-Harris and Anthony, with a future asset, for a starting SG upgrade)

[eyriq]

Why does ESPN have a more rational depth chart than RealGMs?

Edit: Black is not a third stringer on a depth chart out of the gate. It doesn't make sense. I'm getting triggered lol

[drsd]

Why does ESPN have a more rational depth chart than RealGMs?

Edit: Black is not a third stringer on a depth chart out of the gate. It doesn't make sense. I'm getting triggered lol

There is no way the Magic play Black over Fultz and Anthony. The only logical path forward is to trade one of these two.

There is also no way that Howard will get Houston-level minutes. Either G-Harris needs to be traded for a future asset or both G-Harris and Suggs needs to be traded for a new starting SG. Then Howard can get backup SG minutes.

There must be some moves coming. None of this makes sense without a forthcoming trade.

[eyriq]

Why does ESPN have a more rational depth chart than RealGMs?

Edit: Black is not a third stringer on a depth chart out of the gate. It doesn't make sense. I'm getting triggered lol

There is no way the Magic play Black over Fultz and Anthony. The only logical path forward is to trade one of these two.

There is also no way that Howard will get Houston-level minutes. Either G-Harris needs to be traded for a future asset or both G-Harris and Suggs needs to be traded for a new starting SG. Then Howard can get backup SG minutes.

There must be some moves coming. None of this makes sense without a forthcoming trade.

Well at this point we'll just disagree. IMO Black is clearly a better PG than Cole out of the gate and I hope he's a better PG than Fultz out of the gate. He's got size, defense, cutting, FTr, and playmaking IQ advantages over Cole and similar advantages over Fultz. We heavily overrate Cole I guess.

[drsd]

Why does ESPN have a more rational depth chart than RealGMs?

Edit: Black is not a third stringer on a depth chart out of the gate. It doesn't make sense. I'm getting triggered lol

There is no way the Magic play Black over Fultz and Anthony. The only logical path forward is to trade one of these two.

There is also no way that Howard will get Houston-level minutes. Either G-Harris needs to be traded for a future asset or both G-Harris and Suggs needs to be traded for a new starting SG. Then Howard can get backup SG minutes.

There must be some moves coming. None of this makes sense without a forthcoming trade.

Well at this point we'll just disagree. IMO Black is clearly a better PG than Cole out of the gate and I hope he's a better PG than Fultz out of the gate. He's got size, defense, cutting, FTr, and playmaking IQ advantages over Cole and similar advantages over Fultz. We heavily overrate Cole I guess.

Respectfully, I also think you are over-rating Black. Rookie PGs are universally super-high TO players. And start with eFG% numbers about 5-10% below positional expectations. No rookie PG ever has positive plus/minus metrics. Fultz and Anthony are positive players in net outcomes.

What I am confident we do both agree on though is that this team has too many guards. Even if Black and Howard are starters on day one, there needs to be more minutes. Something has got to give here.

[eyriq]

There is no way the Magic play Black over Fultz and Anthony. The only logical path forward is to trade one of these two.

There is also no way that Howard will get Houston-level minutes. Either G-Harris needs to be traded for a future asset or both G-Harris and Suggs needs to be traded for a new starting SG. Then Howard can get backup SG minutes.

There must be some moves coming. None of this makes sense without a forthcoming trade.

Well at this point we'll just disagree. IMO Black is clearly a better PG than Cole out of the gate and I hope he's a better PG than Fultz out of the gate. He's got size, defense, cutting, FTr, and playmaking IQ advantages over Cole and similar advantages over Fultz. We heavily overrate Cole I guess.

Respectfully, I also think you are over-rating Black. Rookie PGs are universally super-high TO players. And start with eFG% numbers about 5-10% below positional expectations. No rookie PG ever has positive plus/minus metrics. Fultz and Anthony are positive players in net outcomes.

What I am confident we do both agree on though is that this team has too many guards. Even if Black and Howard are starters on day one, there needs to be more minutes. Something has got to give here.

Plus minus doesn't help your case.
Cole has a -3.83 RPM
Fultz has a 0.14 RPM

[drsd]

Well at this point we'll just disagree. IMO Black is clearly a better PG than Cole out of the gate and I hope he's a better PG than Fultz out of the gate. He's got size, defense, cutting, FTr, and playmaking IQ advantages over Cole and similar advantages over Fultz. We heavily overrate Cole I guess.

Respectfully, I also think you are over-rating Black. Rookie PGs are universally super-high TO players. And start with eFG% numbers about 5-10% below positional expectations. No rookie PG ever has positive plus/minus metrics. Fultz and Anthony are positive players in net outcomes.

What I am confident we do both agree on though is that this team has too many guards. Even if Black and Howard are starters on day one, there needs to be more minutes. Something has got to give here.

Plus minus doesn't help your case.
Cole has a -3.83 RPM
Fultz has a 0.14 RPM

Black will be nowhere near those numbers his rookie year. Expect a high minutes rookie PG to be more like minus-7. That's a pretty typical number. (( of course such a rookie is also usually on a HORRIBLE team )). I'm imagining a "Jaded Ivey" type.