Post#31 » by Skybox » Thu Feb 8, 2024 12:05 pm
ORL sends: Wendell Carter, Markelle Fultz (expiring), Chuma Okeke (expiring), ORL 24 frp (top 8), DEN 25 frp
WAS sends: Tyus Jones, Gafford, Kispert
WAS actually gets a bigger, more versatile upgrade at C, who’s even a little but younger and on a more team- friendly deal in Carter. Fultz is, at worst, $17m expiring salary…but might even find a home in WAS as a big, excellent ball-handling PG who might be a good game manager to balance Poole’s explosive but wild offensive capabilities. Two frps is more than they’ll likely get elsewhere, considering Carter’s value offsetting (at least) Gafford or Kispert.
ORL likes Carter, but Gafford’s a better fit next to Paolo & Franz. Defend, block shots, rebound, catch lobs- that’s all they really need and Gafford > Carter in that simplified role. Kispert brings reliable floor-spreading that ORL desperately needs and Tyus is the heady and efficient PG they need but still will knock down the open 3’s created by Franz & Paolo’s gravity. IF Tyus will pull the trigger more frequently, he should hit career highs in scoring and lose the “best backup PG” label he’s had and find a long-term home in ORL. Two firsts hurt but ORL needs a better fitting supporting cast more than more children fighting for a spot on the bench. Paolo & Franz are ready to make some noise NOW and ORL shouldn’t pump the brakes on their improvement just because their best players can’t go to bars yet.