The current depth chart

[VFX]

It’s funny for how much people like to gas up Tyrese Halliburton as being one of the best young point guards today, people sure like to disregard minute distribution and make excuses for short term success over development.

Halliburton barely played behind anyone in Indiana after the Sabonis trade in his second year in the league. Now he’s one of the top valued assets.

Can’t wait to hear the excuses for these decisions when Black is playing behind two guys after either or both are extended.

To be fair, Haliburton was elite rookie. Guy averaged 13-5-3 on 59% TS and positive impact.
In second year, prior trade, he got even better, playing SG. Than he got role as PG and averaged 9,4 apg in 36 mpg, while holding his shooting splits on 50-40-85. As sophmore.

Guy just finished his just third season. Allstar, potentially best passer since Chris Paul and Steve Nash.



During his first 5 games ever ,he racked 22 assists on 4 turnovers on 10/20 for 3. ( in those 5 games, Kings beat Nuggets, Nuggets and Suns so it's not like he was pissing over 20 wins teams )

The point I’m making is that he was able to play and didn’t have 3 other guys ahead of him in a rotation.

[pepe1991]

It’s funny for how much people like to gas up Tyrese Halliburton as being one of the best young point guards today, people sure like to disregard minute distribution and make excuses for short term success over development.

Halliburton barely played behind anyone in Indiana after the Sabonis trade in his second year in the league. Now he’s one of the top valued assets.

Can’t wait to hear the excuses for these decisions when Black is playing behind two guys after either or both are extended.

To be fair, Haliburton was elite rookie. Guy averaged 13-5-3 on 59% TS and positive impact.
In second year, prior trade, he got even better, playing SG. Than he got role as PG and averaged 9,4 apg in 36 mpg, while holding his shooting splits on 50-40-85. As sophmore.

Guy just finished his just third season. Allstar, potentially best passer since Chris Paul and Steve Nash.



During his first 5 games ever ,he racked 22 assists on 4 turnovers on 10/20 for 3. ( in those 5 games, Kings beat Nuggets, Nuggets and Suns so it's not like he was pissing over 20 wins teams )

The point I’m making is that he was able to play and didn’t have 3 other guys ahead of him in a rotation.

That's true ,there was self created sabotage on behalf of Kings to burry him.

I don't know , i just gave up on notion that this front office will ever do any unpopular move until somebody or something pushes them in a corner and forces them to do so.

[fendilim]

Put it this way, on average there is one rookie PG that comes out of the gate better than 3rd year Cole. We drafted the #1 PG in the NCAA. I like Black's chances, especially with that defense, FTr, playmaking, and IQ. I BELIEVE in BlackMagic.

true. I believe in Black. I believe he can be a better stabilizing PG than Cole. But if he meant scoring PG, I’ll give that Cole. But if running the offense, I think Black can be better than Cole.

Cole chases stats also, so I think that will also affect his game next year if he isn’t able to get an extension. We often see Cole throwing those grenade passes to his teammates (end of shot clock passes) so that Cole’s shot percentages won’t be low (because those are low percentage shots).

Also, Cole’s game is so much of a whirlwind. So i think Black will be a better stabilizer.

[penny_nz]

To be fair, Haliburton was elite rookie. Guy averaged 13-5-3 on 59% TS and positive impact.
In second year, prior trade, he got even better, playing SG. Than he got role as PG and averaged 9,4 apg in 36 mpg, while holding his shooting splits on 50-40-85. As sophmore.

Guy just finished his just third season. Allstar, potentially best passer since Chris Paul and Steve Nash.



During his first 5 games ever ,he racked 22 assists on 4 turnovers on 10/20 for 3. ( in those 5 games, Kings beat Nuggets, Nuggets and Suns so it's not like he was pissing over 20 wins teams )

The point I’m making is that he was able to play and didn’t have 3 other guys ahead of him in a rotation.

That's true ,there was self created sabotage on behalf of Kings to burry him.

I don't know , i just gave up on notion that this front office will ever do any unpopular move until somebody or something pushes them in a corner and forces them to do so.

It definitely feels like we could be on the path to the Hennigan "too many mouths to feed" scenario here, and I'm also not convinced the FO will make the tough calls to streamline / back a horse. We have a lot of selfless players in this group who I think will play the way, but we DON'T want to get to the situation when players are going out there and trying to get them stats with whatever minutes they have

[Howard Mass]

With The magic waiving Bol Bol, there are 3 changes to the 15 man roster from the end of last season.

Anthony Black replaces Michael Carter-Williams
Jett Howard replaces Admiral Schofield
Joe Ingles replaces Bol Bol

As for the three Two-Way spots,

Kevon Harris returns on one of the contracts.

The other two are TBD with some Summer leaguers on The Magic's team and other rosters Kevon Harris was on another Summer league Roster last year).

C: Carter, M. Wagner/Bitadze
PF: Banchero/Isaac/Okeke
SF: F. Wagner/Howard/Ingles
SG: Suggs/G. Harris/Houstan/K.Harris
PG: Fultz/Anthony/Black

The above is not the exact Depth Chart as multiple players can play different positions but The Magic have upgraded last year. It will be the growth of the players from last year that will play the biggest factor in how far this team goes this season.

[Fortune Teller]

I think Weltman must be going for some sort of record...most first-round picks drafted without ever getting rid of any of them. He's already at the point where he took a guy with the #6 pick who's projected to be third string PG.

[anothermagicfan]

I honestly don't know how the guards are going to work themselves out. Our front court is pretty much set in stone with Franz/banchero/WCJ. And I doubt Fultz isn't starting if he's healthy. Who starts besides him is way the hell up in the air. Id imagine it's Harris spot until he loses it and if culture and earning the opportunity to start matter then it's his until suggs or Cole or black or Jett take it from him. I think that's a good thing.

What I want to say is it's really fun to read all the back and forth. Just point guards alone. Fans pulling for Fultz cause he's the best vs fans pulling for Cole cause he's the best vs fans pulling for suggs cause he's gonna put it all together this year and show that he's the best vs fans that just want to hand the keys to black cause the other three suck.

My takeaway is Franz and banchero are sure bets long term and there has to be a sincere effort to field the best team capable of competing for victory's and the playoffs. So if black and Jett don't play much then it's because they aren't better than the group of guards from last year. If they do then it's because they've earned it. I'm once again looking forward to watching this teams play this season with an increased focus on position battles all across the back court. GO MAGIC!!!

[drsd]

Updated depth chart is down to 15 players.

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

[eyriq]

What are our thoughts on Cole vs Black so far? 4th year Cole vs rookie Black, who do you think has the biggest impact on ______ next season?
Winning
Defense
Point of attack defense
Pick n roll defense
Off-ball defense
On-ball defense
Defensive Rebounding
Steals
Blocks
Offense
Playmaking
Shooting
FTr
Ball security
Offensive rebounding
Pick n roll
Off ball movement

[Skin]

I think Mosely needs to put the best 5 on the court at the same time.

If Isaac is healthy, he's no bench player. While he can play multiple positions, we need his interior defense more than his perimeter defense. WCj can still get starters minutes behind Banchero and Isaac.

Question is who emerges at PG and SG. Heavy favorites have to be Fultz and Howard. Suggs gets relegated to 6th man if he outperforms Cole. Black is just too terrible atm to deserve playing time.

PG Fultz / Suggs
SG Howard / Suggs
SF Wagner / Ingles
PF Banchero / Carter Jr
C Isaac / Carter Jr

[JoshuaPotter]

What are our thoughts on Cole vs Black so far? 4th year Cole vs rookie Black, who do you think has the biggest impact on ______ next season?

Winning = Cole
Defense = Black and it isn't even close
Point of attack defense = Cole
Pick n roll defense = Black
Off-ball defense = Black
On-ball defense = Black
Defensive Rebounding = tie
Steals = Black
Blocks = Black
Offense = Cole
Playmaking = Cole
Shooting = Cole
FTr = Black
Ball security = Cole
Offensive rebounding = Black
Pick n roll = Black
Off ball movement = Tie

[eyriq]

What are our thoughts on Cole vs Black so far? 4th year Cole vs rookie Black, who do you think has the biggest impact on ______ next season?

Winning = Cole
Defense = Black and it isn't even close
Point of attack defense = Cole
Pick n roll defense = Black
Off-ball defense = Black
On-ball defense = Black
Defensive Rebounding = tie
Steals = Black
Blocks = Black
Offense = Cole
Playmaking = Cole
Shooting = Cole
FTr = Black
Ball security = Cole
Offensive rebounding = Black
Pick n roll = Black
Off ball movement = Tie

Noice

[Knightro]

I will bet money that the starting lineup on opening night (assuming everyone is healthy) is...

Fultz at PG
Harris or Suggs at SG
Franz at SF
Paolo at PF
Carter at C

There's no other realistic options. Jonathan Isaac is not starting. Anthony Black is not starting.

[JojoSlimbiid]

Hmm I don't like the backup 4 situation(I'm assuming Issac isn't going to play).

Would like another body there....that isn't Admiral.

[Knightro]

Hmm I don't like the backup 4 situation(I'm assuming Issac isn't going to play).

Would like another body there....that isn't Admiral.

Admiral isn't on the team.

The options to play PF behind Banchero are in no order...

Isaac
Okeke
Moritz
Ingles

[RookieStar]

Hmm I don't like the backup 4 situation(I'm assuming Issac isn't going to play).

Would like another body there....that isn't Admiral.

Admiral isn't on the team.

The options to play PF behind Banchero are in no order...

Isaac
Okeke
Moritz
Ingles

You can always add franz there if we go small

[ogmagicfan]

My hope for distribution at the start of the season while balancing what I expect them to do as well

PG: Fultz (28), Black (10), Cole (6), Suggs (4)
SG: Suggs: (20), Cole (16), Harris (12)
SF: Franz (32), Black (6), Jett (6), Ingles (2)
PF: Paolo (34), Ingles (14), Isaac (We'll see)
C: Wendell (32), Goga (12), Mo (4)

A couple big things:

-Black gotta get some run at PG, to let him learn & grow

-Ingles playing more PF than SF, to help with lack of depth for bigs

-Isaac is a question mark, if he's healthy and able to stay healthy, he'll work towards 15-20 mpg this season and it'll affect the minutes distribution, but for now we'll have to wait & see

[Knightro]

My hope for distribution at the start of the season while balancing what I expect them to do as well

PG: Fultz (28), Black (10), Cole (6), Suggs (4)
SG: Suggs: (20), Cole (16), Harris (12)
SF: Franz (32), Black (6), Jett (6), Ingles (2)
PF: Paolo (34), Ingles (14), Isaac (We'll see)
C: Wendell (32), Goga (12), Mo (4)

This ain't gonna work. Cole's only real chance of being effective is in that "pound the air out of the ball looking to create my own offense as a backup scoring PG" role. The classic Lou Williams spot.

I'd rather trade Cole today than force him to play off the ball as a backup SG just to get Black PG reps.

These are the kind of things I'm talking about though. Like on paper there's absolutely nothing at all wrong with your proposed depth chart outside of the fact you have 12 guys playing and no NBA team plays more than like 10 really (most play 9).

But telling Cole "hey pal the role you were really good at last year, we're moving you off of that and into a role you've always sucked at, even though it will actively hurt our chances of winning" - that just isn't gonna fly.

[D12VCMagic]

To be fair, Haliburton was elite rookie. Guy averaged 13-5-3 on 59% TS and positive impact.
In second year, prior trade, he got even better, playing SG. Than he got role as PG and averaged 9,4 apg in 36 mpg, while holding his shooting splits on 50-40-85. As sophmore.

Guy just finished his just third season. Allstar, potentially best passer since Chris Paul and Steve Nash.



During his first 5 games ever ,he racked 22 assists on 4 turnovers on 10/20 for 3. ( in those 5 games, Kings beat Nuggets, Nuggets and Suns so it's not like he was pissing over 20 wins teams )

The point I’m making is that he was able to play and didn’t have 3 other guys ahead of him in a rotation.

That's true ,there was self created sabotage on behalf of Kings to burry him.

I don't know , i just gave up on notion that this front office will ever do any unpopular move until somebody or something pushes them in a corner and forces them to do so.

Weltman was hired to do exactly that, avoid the unpopular decisions and take the conservative and patient approach. When he got hired it was right after we were getting laughed at for trading young players too soon. No sort of bold decision will be made until there is pressure on the front office to win.

[zaymon]

I think at the beginning the 9 man rotation will be
Fultz, Harris, Wagner, Banchero, Carter, Cole, Suggs, Ingles, Isaac.
Then we can give few minutes to Moe/Bitadze or Black/Howard depending on matchup.
I expect we will try to trade 1-2 out of Fultz/Cole/Suggs at the deadline depending on how Black/Howard are looking.
I dont expect Harris to be traded, Weltman is consistent in saying we need veterans and maturity. He could be moved to the bench.
We will give Black opportunity to claim the starting spot its up to him if he grabs it.