2024 - The Magic Plan

[VFX]

I'm sorry if you've already read this from me 100x, but I think POR might consider trading Simons because...
-His insane offensive stats are empty calories, coming from playing on a bad team losing games
-Noone in POR should want to recreate "Dame & CJ", with the newer "Dame" not being a good shooter (Scoot is the future)
-Sharpe should be the starting SG of the future. Moving him to SF negates a lot of his freakish physical advantages vs guards
-They're paying Simons $25m per and he'll be ready for a stat-enhanced raise in 2 years..by then, Scoot has taken him out of the SL.
-Simons on POR scores 25+ and loses games...Simons, with Paolo & Franz, scores 25 3xmonthly (when teams dare him), but averages 18ppg and 5 assists (without even trying). IMO, 3rd chair, but way ahead of #4 (Cole?) is his perfect spot, especially with offensive priorities 1 & 2 being big, mobile frontcourt players who do their best work at the rim. All 3 should rack up more assists...but Paolo, at least, goes right to the All-Star Game, because his kick-outs become assists and his drives to the rim aren't 1 on 3 every time.

...Simons won't come cheap but, just like many here view WCJ - really good guy, really good player, not the best fit.

It’s not about whether he makes sense. It’s about why Portland is sending him to Orlando over other options that can offer more for his services. Do you think the Magic can offer a better package of picks and expiring contracts for him than other teams? I don’t believe so.

[Skybox]

As Skybox said, the Magic don't just need good shooters. They need good shooters who are also shot hunters.

Gary Harris is a good shooter, but he's not a shot hunter.

Jalen Suggs is a shot hunter, but he's not a good shooter.

Caleb Houstan is probably the closest thing they have to a shot hunter who also projects to be a good shooter, but he's also 20 years old still and really weak defensively.

Yes, and I don’t believe those players are available. Not only that, but the successful ones benefit from a well run offense.

Plugging OG Anunoby into this offense without a real facilitator gives you one more option and the offense is still stagnant standing around watching Paolo crash into bodies under the rim.

Guys like McCollum and Simons are not readily available if you are looking for a mid to upper tier playmaking shooter option. Orlando doesn’t have the assets. They might for a facilitator that can shoot like Jones.

At this point we are better off hiring a competent medical staff to recoup Ingles.

OG Anunoby is going to give NY a discounted deal at $35m We might swipe him for $40 if his agent is willing to break up his family for a bigger commission. That is way too much for even an Elite role player (unless you're an Elite role player away from a ring). I'd rather have gotten super-versatile Quickley at no more than $25m (probably less as an RFA in -house) than (another?) DPOY candidate who hits 3's from a standstill in the corner (Great Great player, but a role player). PHI, LAL, or MIA would've made more sense.

Forget about fixing Ingles...I think we'd have a better shot at cloning him at this point. I love the guy and I hope we keep him next year too, but not as the highest-paid Assistant Coach in the NBA.

[Knightro]

It’s not about whether he makes sense. It’s about why Portland is sending him to Orlando over other options that can offer more for his services. Do you think the Magic can offer a better package of picks and expiring contracts for him than other teams? I don’t believe so.

Why can't they?

The Magic have their full bevy of picks and swaps at their disposal. They could take on any contract Portland is looking to get rid of (looking at you Jeremi Grant, looking at you Robert Williams) and if the Magic are acquiring a 24 year old starting lead guard, it stands to reason that they'd be willing to at least consider parting with one or even multiple of their young group of guards.

Like if Philadelphia is "in" on all these potential players via trade because of their cache of picks and expiring contracts, then so are the Magic because they have even more picks and more expiring contracts.

[VFX]

It’s not about whether he makes sense. It’s about why Portland is sending him to Orlando over other options that can offer more for his services. Do you think the Magic can offer a better package of picks and expiring contracts for him than other teams? I don’t believe so.

Why can't they?

The Magic have their full bevy of picks and swaps at their disposal. They could take on any contract Portland is looking to get rid of (looking at you Jeremi Grant, looking at you Robert Williams) and if the Magic are acquiring a 24 year old starting lead guard, it stands to reason that they'd be willing to at least consider parting with one or even multiple of their young group of guards.

Like if Philadelphia is "in" on all these potential players via trade because of their cache of picks and expiring contracts, then so are the Magic because they have even more picks and more expiring contracts.

The only possible option would be offloading Carter, Fultz, Gary Harris and a zillion picks/swaps for Williams (injured) and Simons.

There are teams that can top that.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

It’s not about whether he makes sense. It’s about why Portland is sending him to Orlando over other options that can offer more for his services. Do you think the Magic can offer a better package of picks and expiring contracts for him than other teams? I don’t believe so.

Why can't they?

The Magic have their full bevy of picks and swaps at their disposal. They could take on any contract Portland is looking to get rid of (looking at you Jeremi Grant, looking at you Robert Williams) and if the Magic are acquiring a 24 year old starting lead guard, it stands to reason that they'd be willing to at least consider parting with one or even multiple of their young group of guards.

Like if Philadelphia is "in" on all these potential players via trade because of their cache of picks and expiring contracts, then so are the Magic because they have even more picks and more expiring contracts.

just worry this FO isn't willing to take on a bad contract and would rather have the idea of flexible cap space forever

[JoshuaPotter]

It’s not about whether he makes sense. It’s about why Portland is sending him to Orlando over other options that can offer more for his services. Do you think the Magic can offer a better package of picks and expiring contracts for him than other teams? I don’t believe so.

Why can't they?

The Magic have their full bevy of picks and swaps at their disposal. They could take on any contract Portland is looking to get rid of (looking at you Jeremi Grant, looking at you Robert Williams) and if the Magic are acquiring a 24 year old starting lead guard, it stands to reason that they'd be willing to at least consider parting with one or even multiple of their young group of guards.

Like if Philadelphia is "in" on all these potential players via trade because of their cache of picks and expiring contracts, then so are the Magic because they have even more picks and more expiring contracts.

The only possible option would be offloading Carter, Fultz, Gary Harris and a zillion picks/swaps for Williams (injured) and Simons.

There are teams that can top that.

If we are aiming for Simmons I think any trade involves Black or Chet if not both.

[Skybox]

It’s not about whether he makes sense. It’s about why Portland is sending him to Orlando over other options that can offer more for his services. Do you think the Magic can offer a better package of picks and expiring contracts for him than other teams? I don’t believe so.

Why can't they?

The Magic have their full bevy of picks and swaps at their disposal. They could take on any contract Portland is looking to get rid of (looking at you Jeremi Grant, looking at you Robert Williams) and if the Magic are acquiring a 24 year old starting lead guard, it stands to reason that they'd be willing to at least consider parting with one or even multiple of their young group of guards.

Like if Philadelphia is "in" on all these potential players via trade because of their cache of picks and expiring contracts, then so are the Magic because they have even more picks and more expiring contracts.

The only possible option would be offloading Carter, Fultz, Gary Harris and a zillion picks/swaps for Williams (injured) and Simons.

There are teams that can top that.

Who would pay more than us and why would they want him so bad they'd outbid our strong pick offer. IF POR is serious about a rebuild, picks and salary relief are priority #1...they're not going to want vets, even stars unless they think they are closer than they are...

Mostly, Simons is NOT a superstar...he's not going to command a HUGE return. He's no savior, he's just a great fit. Maybe there's another team that he fits just as well and who can cover his defensive weaknesses - but I don't know who.

I think they could really value WCJ as a big versatile bruiser next to and behind Ayton (who can't do anything outside of 5') lots of expiring salary and a couple of legit firsts. I'd consider 2 of our own protected picks plus the basically worthless DEN pick - so they can say "We got THREE frps!"...Plus, take all of our srps for the next decade - we don't want them.

I'd certainly consider taking on one more year of Rob Williams to fill in our "Crazy Defensive Upside" spot in the infirmary...which could lead to waiving Isaac's non-guaranteed $17m for next year.

[Knightro]

The only possible option would be offloading Carter, Fultz, and Gary Harris and a zillion picks/swaps for Williams (injured) and Simons.

There are teams that can top that.

Who? And why?

Who is going to give up multiple first round picks *and* useful players for somebody like Simons?

The list of teams that can even do that is way smaller than you think.

Non-contenders aren't giving up the picks at this point in the respective rebuilds or tear downs. That eliminates about 9-10 teams right off the bat.

Contenders either don't have the picks because they've already traded them in other deals or they're so top heavy they simply don't have useful players to move. That eliminates another 8-9 teams as well.

So that ultimately leaves a much smaller group of teams in the middle. The pseudo contenders like the Magic who are trying to improve their talent level *and* have the cap space, movable picks and draft swaps available to move.

I think Orlando could be in on pretty much any player available if they want to take a real swing.

[OrlMagic05]

We need to load this team up with shooters. Imagine having a PG & SG that consistently can knock down an open 3. This team would be pretty damn good if we had those two types of players.

[Blue_and_Whte]

Pretty simple answer. More shooters especially at PG. I know AB is a fan favorite but he isn't untouchable imo and neither is Fultz. We need start cashing in some of these assets now.

[Skybox]

The only possible option would be offloading Carter, Fultz, and Gary Harris and a zillion picks/swaps for Williams (injured) and Simons.

There are teams that can top that.

Who? And why?

Who is going to give up multiple first round picks *and* useful players for somebody like Simons?

The list of teams that can even do that is way smaller than you think.

Non-contenders aren't giving up the picks at this point in the respective rebuilds or tear downs. That eliminates about 9-10 teams right off the bat.

Contenders either don't have the picks because they've already traded them in other deals or they're so top heavy they simply don't have useful players to move. That eliminates another 8-9 teams as well.

So that ultimately leaves a much smaller group of teams in the middle. The pseudo contenders like the Magic who are trying to improve their talent level *and* have the cap space, movable picks and draft swaps available to move.

I think Orlando could be in on pretty much any player available if they want to take a real swing.

Like, WHY wouldn't they? So much good going on with this young team and such obvious glaring deficiencies and such a perfect storm of expiring salary/upcoming cap space while holding all of our picks +1. We've got recent #11 percolating in the G-league. We're 12 deep with contributing, but not great, players under 24 or so...we don't need more mid-draft 19 year olds - we need ONE proven guard who can shoot.

[VFX]

The only possible option would be offloading Carter, Fultz, and Gary Harris and a zillion picks/swaps for Williams (injured) and Simons.

There are teams that can top that.

Who? And why?

Who is going to give up multiple first round picks *and* useful players for somebody like Simons?

The list of teams that can even do that is way smaller than you think.

Non-contenders aren't giving up the picks at this point in the respective rebuilds or tear downs. That eliminates about 9-10 teams right off the bat.

Contenders either don't have the picks because they've already traded them in other deals or they're so top heavy they simply don't have useful players to move. That eliminates another 8-9 teams as well.

So that ultimately leaves a much smaller group of teams in the middle. The pseudo contenders like the Magic who are trying to improve their talent level *and* have the cap space, movable picks and draft swaps available to move.

I think Orlando could be in on pretty much any player available if they want to take a real swing.

Its whichever team is rebuilding and looking for positive assets, which leads the question... why does Portland move him at all?

He's 24, fills their cap space, and is going to get serious minutes while Scoot figures it out. Is Portland hurting for cap space and late first round picks?

[Knightro]

Its whichever team is rebuilding and looking for positive assets, which leads the question... why does Portland move him at all?

He's 24, fills their cap space, and is going to get serious minutes while Scoot figures it out. Is Portland hurting for cap space and late first round picks?

This is the key right here.

I feel like the play for Portland/any team that isn't going anywhere in the short-term anyway is to get unprotected picks that could end up way better down the road than you expected.

Look at the Hawks/Spurs deal.

Spurs trade Murray to the Hawks in June 2022. They got a protected 2023 1st via Charlotte which did not convey and is now a 2024 1st, a 2025 1st, a 2026 swap and a 2027 1st, the latter of those three all being unprotected.

At the time of the trade, the Hawks were coming off an 43 win season where they ranked 2nd in the NBA in ORTG. The Murray deal was praised as Atlanta adding an all-star guard who could help them make that next leap from the middle into being legit contenders.

But what actually happened? They went 41-41 the next season and are now 13-19 this season and all of a sudden those "useless late first round picks" they gave up might actually be really good picks in 25, 26, and 27 as the Hawks have the 8th worst record in the league right now.

I wouldn't be so quick to assume that every team in the NBA sees multiple first round picks from the Magic, who haven't even made the playoffs yet in this incarnation of the rebuild, as guaranteed late first round picks.

[Skybox]

Its whichever team is rebuilding and looking for positive assets, which leads the question... why does Portland move him at all?

He's 24, fills their cap space, and is going to get serious minutes while Scoot figures it out. Is Portland hurting for cap space and late first round picks?

This is the key right here.

I feel like the play for Portland/any team that isn't going anywhere in the short-term anyway is to get unprotected picks that could end up way better down the road than you expected.

Look at the Hawks/Spurs deal.

Spurs trade Murray to the Hawks in June 2022. They got a protected 2023 1st via Charlotte which did not convey and is now a 2024 1st, a 2025 1st, a 2026 swap and a 2027 1st, the latter of those three all being unprotected.

At the time of the trade, the Hawks were coming off an 43 win season where they ranked 2nd in the NBA in ORTG. The Murray deal was praised as Atlanta adding an all-star guard who could help them make that next leap from the middle into being legit contenders.

But what actually happened? They went 41-41 the next season and are now 13-19 this season and all of a sudden those "useless late first round picks" they gave up might actually be really good picks in 25, 26, and 27 as the Hawks have the 8th worst record in the league right now.

I wouldn't be so quick to assume that every team in the NBA sees multiple first round picks from the Magic, who haven't even made the playoffs yet in this incarnation of the rebuild, as guaranteed late first round picks.

Ask OKC...it's probably nice to be looming over the conversation for ANY guy that becomes available because you have a warehouse full of picks. POR would be better off tanking hard while Scoot and Sharpe put up stupid Simons-like numbers, while compiling enough picks to be in the big game conversations in a year or two. OKC could cash out any time they want AND they're really good - they've really re-written the book on rebuilds...the difference between them and us is that they had a star to trade for SGA and picks - to kickstart the whole thing. Otherwise, we're basically the same story...SGA becoming an unlikely superstar is the big part.

*you could say the Vuc heist was our Paul George trade ...lesser version

[eyriq]

I'd wager that the plan is to play it out this season in order to evaluate who rises to the occasion and who doesn't. So, minimal activity at the trade deadline. I think they'll look to promote shooters from within vs acquire a shooter externally given they drafted Houstan and Jett. I just think they are more focused on skill versatility vs one dimensional shooters.

Regarding open roles, I think in their minds starting PG and SG are open slots and I could definitely see them looking externally to fill them out, and all the backup roles except for Cole's seem up for grabs. I would not be surprised if WCJs hold on starting center has slipped as well.

This season is essentially a tryout for at least 2 starting roles and 4 bench roles.

[OrlChamps2030]

Carter, Fultz, Gary Harris and picks/swaps for Williams and Simons makes sense

Portland could reroute WCJ to OKC and grab another pick if they wanted to as well

[Knightro]

I'd wager that the plan is to play it out this season in order to evaluate who rises to the occasion and who doesn't. So, minimal activity at the trade deadline. I think they'll look to promote shooters from within vs acquire a shooter externally given they drafted Houstan and Jett. I just think they are more focused on skill versatility vs one dimensional shooters.

Regarding open roles, I think in their minds starting PG and SG are open slots and I could definitely see them looking externally to fill them out, and all the backup roles except for Cole's seem up for grabs. I would not be surprised if WCJs hold on starting center has slipped as well.

This season is essentially a tryout for at least 2 starting roles and 4 bench roles.

Let's say this is exactly what they do.

Then they head into this offseason with Fultz, Gary, Chuma and Goga as free agents and what amounts to team options on Isaac (17.4M), Ingles (11M), Moritz (8M) and Houstan (2M)

Let's say they pick up the options all four of those players...

They're only at approximately 105M in committed salary on 10 players.

The NBA is currently projecting a very conservative 4.4% increase to the salary cap next year (it could go up as much as 10%), which would make the cap approximately $142M, thus putting the Magic approximately $37M under the salary cap.

The Magic have to hit the 90% salary floor regardless, which is around 127.8M, so no matter what happens, they will be forced to spend about $23M dollars in the offseason.

So what are they going to spend that money on exactly?

[JoshuaPotter]

I'd wager that the plan is to play it out this season in order to evaluate who rises to the occasion and who doesn't. So, minimal activity at the trade deadline. I think they'll look to promote shooters from within vs acquire a shooter externally given they drafted Houstan and Jett. I just think they are more focused on skill versatility vs one dimensional shooters.

Regarding open roles, I think in their minds starting PG and SG are open slots and I could definitely see them looking externally to fill them out, and all the backup roles except for Cole's seem up for grabs. I would not be surprised if WCJs hold on starting center has slipped as well.

This season is essentially a tryout for at least 2 starting roles and 4 bench roles.

I am committed to the idea that Houstans time the past few games is to have him drum up value for himself either for a trade or to permanently replace someone. The challenge is, he has been needing to shoot 100% because nobody but Suggs / Cole appears to have long leashes in our guard rotation.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

I'd wager that the plan is to play it out this season in order to evaluate who rises to the occasion and who doesn't. So, minimal activity at the trade deadline. I think they'll look to promote shooters from within vs acquire a shooter externally given they drafted Houstan and Jett. I just think they are more focused on skill versatility vs one dimensional shooters.

Regarding open roles, I think in their minds starting PG and SG are open slots and I could definitely see them looking externally to fill them out, and all the backup roles except for Cole's seem up for grabs. I would not be surprised if WCJs hold on starting center has slipped as well.

This season is essentially a tryout for at least 2 starting roles and 4 bench roles.

Let's say this is exactly what they do.

Then they head into this offseason with Fultz, Gary, Chuma and Goga as free agents and what amounts to team options on Isaac (17.4M), Ingles (11M), Moritz (8M) and Houstan (2M)

Let's say they pick up the options all four of those players...

They're only at approximately 105M in committed salary on 10 players.

The NBA is currently projecting a very conservative 4.4% increase to the salary cap next year (it could go up as much as 10%), which would make the cap approximately $142M, thus putting the Magic approximately $37M under the salary cap.

The Magic have to hit the 90% salary floor regardless, which is around 127.8M, so no matter what happens, they will be forced to spend about $23M dollars in the offseason.

So what are they going to spend that money on exactly?

Fultz at 20M and re signing Goga

FA class isn't all that good but full of decent vet depth pieces.

[fateis007]

id trade anyone but Paolo and Franz to get a legit playmaking point guard that can shoot and defend.

stop messing around with all this super tall lineups, and get legit shooters and playmakers on this team.

We have our guys. get them help and high IQ players, put 3 ingles in his 20's around Paolo and Franz and we are a top 5 contender.