Can the Magic win a championship with Paolo and Franz as #1 and #2 options?

[drsd]

The realistic answer is too soon to tell.

But I choose to be an optimist an vote yes.

And-1

Post of the day!

[Skybox]

We're about to pay them like we believe they can.

THIS is the post of the day and an unavoidable truth...IMO, we need to build a more complementary team around them NOW (while they're cheap) to get a better idea of what we've got before we lock them down and fill our cap for the next 5 years.

This is why I'm so opposed to casually throwing $20m at a PG that can't shoot when Franz & Paolo need a PG that can shoot to live THEIR best life...because THEIR best life is ORL's best life.

[zaymon]

As much as i love them both i think the more realistic option is NO. Its more propable that Franz is #2(he was #2 on world champion) than Paolo is #1.
Its not impossible but not likely.

[Magicman125]

They will.

By 2030.

Came here for this, thank you for not disappointing.

[VFX]

we have to see the development and how they round out the roster. the answer is “no” if they fail on the second part.

[The-Stallion70]

It's too early to tell but it depends on how much better Paolo and Franz get.

[Skin]

we have to see the development and how they round out the roster. the answer is “no” if they fail on the second part.

You mean like spending the 5th and 6th picks on combo guards that can't shoot? Reaching on players who you could've gotten later? Mismanaging the value of your picks (not moving up or down in the draft) because of fear? Creating backlogs for playing time where development can't happen?

I think we already know how this roster is rounded out. Next year, we may not be in the lottery or we may be at the back half of it. So where is this "rounding out the roster" coming from? Everyone with a value attached to them is already here and it's not looking good enough.... meanwhile deals like MIL adding Dame to Giannis/Middleton and other super power names joining up are among the top legitimate contenders.

We're just fooling ourselves, but hey, it's fun to be optimistic. I'm so disappointed in our offseason. Biggest hopes are Isaac being healthy and Fultz/Suggs developing their range... hopes that we were already banking on before the offseason.

[eyriq]

How would WePark answer this?

We are clearly investing another season into development and evaluation.

Does this imply they are still assessing whether it's worth building around Paolo and Franz? Could be, but I interpret this as a signal that they are evaluating for another rising star; Suggs, Black, and Jett are the obvious candidates as recent lottery picks.

Once we pivot and consolidation kicks off we'll know WeParks answer. Do we bring in an established star? That's a ding on Franz and Paolo. Do we focus on role players and compliment Franz and Paolo? That implies WePark believes in Paolo and Franz.

I think we'll know WePark's answer next off session.

[dsg2021]

I think the answer is no, based on what I have seen. They're not even real #1 and #2 options. Look at Nikola Jokic in the playoffs. Even a pass-first quarterback like him went 20+ FGA. Other top two options? Also at or damn near 20+ FGA. It's a simplistic view, but yet it reveals a lot more behind the surface.
They're amazing pieces because they're tall, multi-faceted forwards at the 3 & 4 spots. But no, they're not #1 or #2 options.

[VFX]

we have to see the development and how they round out the roster. the answer is “no” if they fail on the second part.

You mean like spending the 5th and 6th picks on combo guards that can't shoot? Reaching on players who you could've gotten later? Mismanaging the value of your picks (not moving up or down in the draft) because of fear? Creating backlogs for playing time where development can't happen?

I think we already know how this roster is rounded out. Next year, we may not be in the lottery or we may be at the back half of it. So where is this "rounding out the roster" coming from? Everyone with a value attached to them is already here and it's not looking good enough.... meanwhile deals like MIL adding Dame to Giannis/Middleton and other super power names joining up are among the top legitimate contenders.

We're just fooling ourselves, but hey, it's fun to be optimistic. I'm so disappointed in our offseason. Biggest hopes are Isaac being healthy and Fultz/Suggs developing their range... hopes that we were already banking on before the offseason.

The core of this team is Paolo and Franz.

Development of Howard, Black, and Suggs (this is his last season to test the waters) will inform them on who to move forward with.
Everyone else is expendable IMO, and should be, based on who works best with the core. Nothing else really matters.

To your first comment... I don't think defense is something that should be overlooked. If Suggs or Black went into the draft as elite 3-point shooters they would be taken #1. If you want Orlando to be successful in 3-4 years you should hope they both develop their shots.

The starting lineup of Fultz, Harris, Franz, Paolo, and Carter should be temporary. 3/5 of those guys should be moved AND if they drafted correctly the future lineup would be Black, Howard, Franz, Paolo, and a yet to be acquired Center that can lock down the paint. Why? Because Weltman's agenda has always been the same. He wants a jumbo lineup and his draft decisions have shown that to be the case. Nobody under 6'7 would make that true.

People have to remember this is Orlando and everything hinges on the draft and development IF some miraculous trade for untapped potential doesn't pay ridiculous dividends. You have to be realistic.

[ORLMagicGirl15]

I think the answer is no, based on what I have seen. They're not even real #1 and #2 options. Look at Nikola Jokic in the playoffs. Even a pass-first quarterback like him went 20+ FGA. Other top two options? Also at or [edit] near 20+ FGA. It's a simplistic view, but yet it reveals a lot more behind the surface.
They're amazing pieces because they're tall, multi-faceted forwards at the 3 & 4 spots. But no, they're not #1 or #2 options.

What??? They are not #1 and #2 options because they don't take 20+ FGA per game?

Last season it was very much "by committee". When Paolo become more efficient, I'm sure he and Franz will continue taking more shots.

[SOUL]

Yeah, I don't get that argument lol.

[dsg2021]

I think the answer is no, based on what I have seen. They're not even real #1 and #2 options. Look at Nikola Jokic in the playoffs. Even a pass-first quarterback like him went 20+ FGA. Other top two options? Also at or [edit] near 20+ FGA. It's a simplistic view, but yet it reveals a lot more behind the surface.
They're amazing pieces because they're tall, multi-faceted forwards at the 3 & 4 spots. But no, they're not #1 or #2 options.

What??? They are not #1 and #2 options because they don't take 20+ FGA per game?

Last season it was very much "by committee". When Paolo become more efficient, I'm sure him and Franz will continue taking more shots.

Waiting to see if that's true. You already sound like Franz can't.

[ORLMagicGirl15]

I think the answer is no, based on what I have seen. They're not even real #1 and #2 options. Look at Nikola Jokic in the playoffs. Even a pass-first quarterback like him went 20+ FGA. Other top two options? Also at or [edit] near 20+ FGA. It's a simplistic view, but yet it reveals a lot more behind the surface.
They're amazing pieces because they're tall, multi-faceted forwards at the 3 & 4 spots. But no, they're not #1 or #2 options.

What??? They are not #1 and #2 options because they don't take 20+ FGA per game?

Last season it was very much "by committee". When Paolo become more efficient, I'm sure him and Franz will continue taking more shots.

Waiting to see if that's true. You already sound like Franz can't.

Franz can, but he's more passive than Paolo. I think Mosley would have both up their FGA once Paolo become more efficient. Franz attempted 20+ 13 times in 2 years. Paolo attempted 20+ 11 times in his rookie year.

[eyriq]

I'm shocked 32% of Magic fans don't believe we can win a chip with Paolo and Franz as #1 & #2 options.

It's not a question of how probable it is. It's a question of whether it is reasonably probable. 32% say no? Yikes.

[ogmagicfan]

I'm leaning yes

Paolo got the kind of game to be a 1st option. He has a deep bag & outstanding FT rate. Add that with being 6'10.5 and only 20 yrs old. The sky's the limit for him. If he can improve shooting from 3 to league avg, he should be a top 10 player in the NBA in his prime easily.

Franz changed my perception of him from his past yr. I was concerned about his ability to be a 2nd option due to him in his rookie szn being more aggresive when players were injured, but being alot more passive when players were healthy.

This past szn he was alot more aggressive & assertive, and deepened his bag.

I still prefer a scenario where we have a guard being equal or greater in scoring that Franz, allowing him to focus more energy on rebounding & defense, but I can imagine a scenario where he is a 2nd option

[JojoSlimbiid]

Win a championship? No what. Winning a championship is super difficult and typically requires transcendent talent or a system/style of play that is ahead of its time. Neither is happening here. I take the results to be just homerism.

[SHAQ32]

Not unless some major transformations take place.

[Max Power]

I honestly think this question should be asked before next season, not this year. Franz and Paolo certainly can lead a playoff squad I think. I’m not reading to say a title yet because a third pillar piecemight be necessary with those 2 guys.

[Skin]

I'm shocked 32% of Magic fans don't believe we can win a chip with Paolo and Franz as #1 & #2 options.

It's not a question of how probable it is. It's a question of whether it is reasonably probable. 32% say no? Yikes.

Paolo as a #2 and Franz as a #3 would give me confidence. Outside of them, I think we have a good supporting cast, but we don't have a bonafide #1.