Official Summer 2024 Magic Free Agency and Trade Ideas Thread 4.0

[Bensational]

I'm really worried about blocking AB and Jett. If we replace Harris and Fultz externally the chances AB and Jett make the rotation next season decrease dramatically. Icing lotto talent this long has a significant impact on their ceiling and gets us closer to bust territory.

Given that, the front office has to be considering if AB and Jett are busts before moving forward with external options to replace Fultz and Harris. Right?

I don’t think they block their paths, but I also think they won’t clear the path for them. If they don’t bring Harris back, they’ll bring in another veteran who will be comfortable time sharing with AB and Jett.

Thinking through that prism, Brogdon feels about right. Big expiring deal so we still get cap space in 2025 - or he can be moved in a deadline deal if a big name becomes available (*cough* Donovan Mitchell *cough*). Brogdon is a veteran presence, good shooter, good secondary playmaker, good defender and injury plagued so he’ll naturally timeshare.

WCJ/Isaac/Goga
Paolo/Moe/Ingles
Franz/AB/Houstan
Brogdon/Jett
Suggs/Cole

I think we see guys like Ingles, Isaac and Brogdon “managing a lot of injuries” Dec-Jan to give the young guys time, and to preserve their bodies for the back half of the season.

[JoshuaPotter]

I mean, are they really okay with those picks turning out to be busts?

Jett is already a bust til proven otherwise.

...a great scenario for us.

This is what I read.

This is a moment where you can clearly blame management for mismanagement of assets and funds.

The fact that so many players have to be introduced as "sunk costs" definitely makes me feel sorry for Black / J Howard as it essentially means they were drafted into the worst possible scenario for them.

I prefer MagicMattic takes in that. We didn't just triple we quadrupple downed on Fultz + Harris this season with Howard + Black as development pieces.

Now that the era of Harris + Fultz is possibly over. DLo is a very very obvious candidate. Even I can't disagree with that. Paolo + F + Isaac + anything that resembles an NBA point guard is probably a 50 win team.

The challenge becomes, if we get Dlo + Suggs + Black + Howard + Cole in the backcourt. In theory....

J Howard takes Okekes role of G-SF-PF depending on how he develops. Black turns into Ingles minutes, but also acts as Cole + Suggs 2.0 of last year. DLo takes all of Harris and some of Fultz current production minutes.

The issue then becomes. OK this is a step back on defense. Will we get Claxton or pay Goga and trade WCJ? Because DLO also makes WCJ expendable from a spread the floor concept.

[The-Stallion70]

Claxton doesn't make sense this horse has been beaten to death and never made sense in the first place. He is more limited than Wendell overall and his biggest strength, rebounding, is not a weakness of the team.

Stop Eric

His biggest strength is defense...he was runner-up for DPOY last year. Our team has a great defense DESPITE a total lack of rim protection outside of Goga sitting on the bench. Claxton is in a completely different class defensively than any big on ORL other than Isaac. Having a reliable rebounder/shot blocker in the middle would be a much more complementary fit with Paolo & Franz...Imagine having 2 Isaacs on the court (not to mention Suggs/Black...)

But he only makes sense if we switch some of the offensive production (WCJ's) from C to the backcourt, where it belongs. Having a solid point of attack defense with a feared rim-protector would be a whole new dimension for this team and likely puts ORL with the #1 defense in the league...If we were able to somehow trade for Dejounte AND add Claxton in FA, ORL would be a downright miserable night for any team in the league (win or lose).

You are just wrong bruh

Wendell is one of the best paint defenders in the league and provides more offense than Claxton would. Our 24th ranked offense would be even worse with Claxton.

You mention rim protection, how do you define rim protection? Because Isaac does a pretty good job of blocking shots and so do our guards, Wendell, forwards, etc.

You say we have a *TOTAL* lack of rim protection which is not even true.

And even so simply blocking shots is not reason enough to acquire a guy, just because he blocks shots. Why don't we trade for Bamba then?

[Skybox]

Claxton doesn't make sense this horse has been beaten to death and never made sense in the first place. He is more limited than Wendell overall and his biggest strength, rebounding, is not a weakness of the team.

Stop Eric

His biggest strength is defense...he was runner-up for DPOY last year. Our team has a great defense DESPITE a total lack of rim protection outside of Goga sitting on the bench. Claxton is in a completely different class defensively than any big on ORL other than Isaac. Having a reliable rebounder/shot blocker in the middle would be a much more complementary fit with Paolo & Franz...Imagine having 2 Isaacs on the court (not to mention Suggs/Black...)

But he only makes sense if we switch some of the offensive production (WCJ's) from C to the backcourt, where it belongs. Having a solid point of attack defense with a feared rim-protector would be a whole new dimension for this team and likely puts ORL with the #1 defense in the league...If we were able to somehow trade for Dejounte AND add Claxton in FA, ORL would be a downright miserable night for any team in the league (win or lose).

You are just wrong bruh

Wendell is one of the best paint defenders in the league and provides more offense than Claxton would. Our 24th ranked offense would be even worse with Claxton.

You mention rim protection, how do you define rim protection? Because Isaac does a pretty good job of blocking shots and so do our guards, Wendell, forwards, etc.

You say we have a *TOTAL* lack of rim protection which is not even true.

And even so simply blocking shots is not reason enough to acquire a guy, just because he blocks shots. Why don't we trade for Bamba then?

Isaac plays half the game (at most) and usually at the 3, creating havoc on the perimeter…I think Isaac should play at Center- but he doesn’t. Claxton has zero in common with Bamba

Bruh

[BadMofoPimp]

I've always been on the PG train. AB ftw

AB is not a facilitator or scorer. Don't think he is even a PG. Probably better at SF. But, I love defense players so I would like to see if he progrresses like Suggs.

AB is also a serious gym rat.

Good chance he comes back next year and takes Harris's place.

As a fan of the Pistons era Bad Boys and the Ben Wallace days, I am all for elite defense. Defense wins ships and the Magic have a solid foundation. Just need a good system of offense to get points which the Magic is developing well on.

[BadMofoPimp]

I would still target DeJounte at about all costs as far as future Draft picks and giving up AB or Cole. He would be the perfect fit for years.

[CocoaFan]

I would probably lean towards Russell over Monk. Better shooter and probably would come cheaper because he's a little older.

Lakers have full bird rights. He's going to be tough to pry away if he keeps playing the way he has been.

[AaronB]

His biggest strength is defense...he was runner-up for DPOY last year. Our team has a great defense DESPITE a total lack of rim protection outside of Goga sitting on the bench. Claxton is in a completely different class defensively than any big on ORL other than Isaac. Having a reliable rebounder/shot blocker in the middle would be a much more complementary fit with Paolo & Franz...Imagine having 2 Isaacs on the court (not to mention Suggs/Black...)

But he only makes sense if we switch some of the offensive production (WCJ's) from C to the backcourt, where it belongs. Having a solid point of attack defense with a feared rim-protector would be a whole new dimension for this team and likely puts ORL with the #1 defense in the league...If we were able to somehow trade for Dejounte AND add Claxton in FA, ORL would be a downright miserable night for any team in the league (win or lose).

You are just wrong bruh

Wendell is one of the best paint defenders in the league and provides more offense than Claxton would. Our 24th ranked offense would be even worse with Claxton.

You mention rim protection, how do you define rim protection? Because Isaac does a pretty good job of blocking shots and so do our guards, Wendell, forwards, etc.

You say we have a *TOTAL* lack of rim protection which is not even true.

And even so simply blocking shots is not reason enough to acquire a guy, just because he blocks shots. Why don't we trade for Bamba then?

Isaac plays half the game (at most) and usually at the 3, creating havoc on the perimeter…I think Isaac should play at Center- but he doesn’t. Claxton has zero in common with Bamba

Bruh

Uhm, Isaac has more blocks per 36 than either Goga or Claxton and he ain't getting those standing out on the perimeter.

He is only out on the perimeter because he has generational defensive talent, but he is an elite rim protector, much better than Claxton.

Make the argument that he does not stay healthy enough to help the team (can't protect the rim in the rehab center) and that works.

But trying to make the argument that he is not a rim protector while in the game is no where close to being accurate.

[AaronB]

I would probably lean towards Russell over Monk. Better shooter and probably would come cheaper because he's a little older.

Lakers have full bird rights. He's going to be tough to pry away if he keeps playing the way he has been.

Where did you see this?

I could not find it anywhere.

[eyriq]

I'm thinking we see 4 new rotation players next season. My picks:

Out -> WCJ, Harris, Ingles, and Fultz
In -> Claxton, Kyle Anderson, AB, Jett

[thelead]

I'm thinking we see 4 new rotation players next season. My picks:

Out -> WCJ, Harris, Ingles, and Fultz
In -> Claxton, Kyle Anderson, AB, Jett

Serious question... do you actually watch Claxton or are you just looking at stats?

[SOUL]

I think that's like a -7 win team

[eyriq]

I'm thinking we see 4 new rotation players next season. My picks:

Out -> WCJ, Harris, Ingles, and Fultz
In -> Claxton, Kyle Anderson, AB, Jett

Serious question... do you actually watch Claxton or are you just looking at stats?

Only when he plays us, mostly stats.

I think that's like a -7 win team

WCJ vs Claxton
Kyle vs Ingles
Harris vs Jett
Fultz vs AB

And you think the team drops 7 games? Good lord

[RookieStar]

I'm thinking we see 4 new rotation players next season. My picks:

Out -> WCJ, Harris, Ingles, and Fultz
In -> Claxton, Kyle Anderson, AB, Jett

I usually am with you bro... BUT... big difference between Jingles and Kyle is the 3 pt shooting. Big Difference between Claxton and WCJ is the 3pt threat as well.

AB and Jett == Fultz and Harris probably

We complain about the court being small because of our lack of 3pt shooters. Thats gonna make it worse.

[eyriq]

I'm thinking we see 4 new rotation players next season. My picks:

Out -> WCJ, Harris, Ingles, and Fultz
In -> Claxton, Kyle Anderson, AB, Jett

I usually am with you bro... BUT... big difference between Jingles and Kyle is the 3 pt shooting. Big Difference between Claxton and WCJ is the 3pt threat as well.

AB and Jett == Fultz and Harris probably

We complain about the court being small because of our lack of 3pt shooters. Thats gonna make it worse.

I need more support

[RookieStar]

I'm thinking we see 4 new rotation players next season. My picks:

Out -> WCJ, Harris, Ingles, and Fultz
In -> Claxton, Kyle Anderson, AB, Jett

I usually am with you bro... BUT... big difference between Jingles and Kyle is the 3 pt shooting. Big Difference between Claxton and WCJ is the 3pt threat as well.

AB and Jett == Fultz and Harris probably

We complain about the court being small because of our lack of 3pt shooters. Thats gonna make it worse.

[thelead]

KCP would be a very nice pickup

[RookieStar]

I'm thinking we see 4 new rotation players next season. My picks:

Out -> WCJ, Harris, Ingles, and Fultz
In -> Claxton, Kyle Anderson, AB, Jett

I usually am with you bro... BUT... big difference between Jingles and Kyle is the 3 pt shooting. Big Difference between Claxton and WCJ is the 3pt threat as well.

AB and Jett == Fultz and Harris probably

We complain about the court being small because of our lack of 3pt shooters. Thats gonna make it worse.

I need more support

Will giv you half!! AB and Jett replaces Gary and Fultz... but you gotta give me better choices than Claxton when replacing WCJ.

[SOUL]

Kyle vs Ingles
Harris vs Jett
Fultz vs AB
WCJ vs Clax

And you think the team drops 7 games? Good lord

Kyle is fine as a point forward role but doesn't shoot threes at all.

Claxton also doesn't space the floor and shoots 50% free throws.

You **** on Gary Harris but he 45/43 and 45/37 with solid defense. I think in Jett's full year with minutes the defense will be worse and the shooting also will probably be worse. But he has more potential as a volume shooter in the future.

AB is intriguing but hasn't shown a lot of things yet.

You're banking on two rookies improving from what they've last shown and two non-floor spacers.

We can do way better.

[eyriq]

I usually am with you bro... BUT... big difference between Jingles and Kyle is the 3 pt shooting. Big Difference between Claxton and WCJ is the 3pt threat as well.

AB and Jett == Fultz and Harris probably

We complain about the court being small because of our lack of 3pt shooters. Thats gonna make it worse.

I need more support

Will giv you half!! AB and Jett replaces Gary and Fultz... but you gotta give me better choices than Claxton when replacing WCJ.

Fair enough. Deal!