Welcome 2x NBA Champion KCP!

[eyriq]

In '23 the starting backcourt was Fultz/Harris
In '25 the starting backcourt will be Suggs/KCP

Weltman blew that damn backcourt up and now we are sitting pretty for a few more years until AB takes KCP's spot.

Realistically speaking. It depends on the leap or lack of AB takes. He could have a starting spot as early as game 1 this season and as late as never. Either way KCP is a realistic floor for AB IMHO. So we can see if AB can overtake him.

My hope is AB overtakes him overall. But we need to keep in mind that Franz / Paolo / Cole Anthony are high ball usage guys. So AB may need to become Joe Ingles part 2 if he is to develop a spot on this roster.

Which makes me think we are keeping Ingles.

I just want to see Mosley unlock AB's play making.

[PigsEatHam]

I'm good with this signing. KCP improves shooting in the starting lineup while maintaining, if not also bettering, our defensive identity. As someone who watched the Billups/Wallace-era Pistons torture the Magic for years, I really appreciate the focus on building a smothering defense.

Offense needs to improve. But KCP will help there, as will a hopeful bounce-back season from Franz behind the arc.

Will be interested to see where else they go in free agency. But a good start.

Welcome, KCP.

[JoshuaPotter]

In '23 the starting backcourt was Fultz/Harris
In '25 the starting backcourt will be Suggs/KCP

Weltman blew that damn backcourt up and now we are sitting pretty for a few more years until AB takes KCP's spot.

Realistically speaking. It depends on the leap or lack of AB takes. He could have a starting spot as early as game 1 this season and as late as never. Either way KCP is a realistic floor for AB IMHO. So we can see if AB can overtake him.

My hope is AB overtakes him overall. But we need to keep in mind that Franz / Paolo / Cole Anthony are high ball usage guys. So AB may need to become Joe Ingles part 2 if he is to develop a spot on this roster.

Which makes me think we are keeping Ingles.

I just want to see Mosley unlock AB's play making.

Right now its a horse race to see if Black or Suggs still can develop that.

[OrlandoDream]

Love this signing! Perfect fit next to Suggs. That backcourt will be very hard to score on. Aso Im so relieved we didn't give big contract 40mil+ to one leg Klay or aging PG. Weltman is smart. This is a great contract with a lot of flexibility.

[pepe1991]

Sure our perimeter defense will be good, but how much points you will be able to squeeze from staring "PG" and starting SG who both can hardly pick a dribble or do much else but spot up? That was execlly problem in playoffs.

We still need at least servicable 25-28 mpg POINT GUARD so we can rotate those 3.

[Skybox]

Sure our perimeter defense will be good, but how much points you will be able to squeeze from staring "PG" and starting SG who both can hardly pick a dribble or do much else but spot up? That was execlly problem in playoffs.

We still need at least servicable 25-28 mpg POINT GUARD so we can rotate those 3.

Completely attainable if the FO sees it too...Tyus, Brogdon, Dinwiddie, Schroeder, maybe even Kris Dunn, all within reach.

Look to the tankers and the teams transitioning timelines, those kinds of guys are generally ripe for the picking.

[Skin]

Sure our perimeter defense will be good, but how much points you will be able to squeeze from staring "PG" and starting SG who both can hardly pick a dribble or do much else but spot up? That was execlly problem in playoffs.

We still need at least servicable 25-28 mpg POINT GUARD so we can rotate those 3.

The only way this will work is if Paolo turns into Lebron and starts averaging 9 apg. Which would be crazy beautiful, but highly unlikely.

[IllMagic04]

Sure our perimeter defense will be good, but how much points you will be able to squeeze from staring "PG" and starting SG who both can hardly pick a dribble or do much else but spot up? That was execlly problem in playoffs.

We still need at least servicable 25-28 mpg POINT GUARD so we can rotate those 3.

The only way this will work is if Paolo turns into Lebron and starts averaging 9 apg. Which would be crazy beautiful, but highly unlikely.

Maybe not 9 but I do think there's alot of playmaking upside with Paolo that we haven't been able to unlock cause we haven't had the shooting.

[Residual-Heat]

We really need Franz's 3pt shooting to get back to 35+%. If that happens and Paolo and Suggs continue to improve, this team will be above average offensively.

[SOUL]

We really need Franz's 3pt shooting to get back to 35+%. If that happens and Paolo and Suggs continue to improve, this team will be above average offensively.

Bingo.

Paolo getting better all over the court, Franz finding his shot, Suggs increasing volume, KCP and Tristan being in the lineups and shooting well, AB and Jett playing more and playing better, our bigs like WCJ and Isaac spacing the floor a bit.

Not everything will hit or be amazing, but there is a lot of internal improvements that are viable paths to getting better. Maybe it's nothing beyond top 15 offense in the league, but better than being 22nd-30th all year.

It doesn't sound flashy or fun because it's not. But flash doesn't always work either. We've seen it with the Nets, Sixers, Suns, etc.. just getting big named guys and thinking it works and failing miserably.

I think we do want a big name to come here, but they have to be the perfect fit and someone we're willing to expend assets for.

[Residual-Heat]

You look at the Wolves, they were 16th in ORTG, but they were 1st in DRTG and they managed to win 56 games.

[Skin]

Sure our perimeter defense will be good, but how much points you will be able to squeeze from staring "PG" and starting SG who both can hardly pick a dribble or do much else but spot up? That was execlly problem in playoffs.

We still need at least servicable 25-28 mpg POINT GUARD so we can rotate those 3.

The only way this will work is if Paolo turns into Lebron and starts averaging 9 apg. Which would be crazy beautiful, but highly unlikely.

Maybe not 9 but I do think there's alot of playmaking upside with Paolo that we haven't been able to unlock cause we haven't had the shooting.

Here's a nice argument that I could get on board with.

[bigdogdylan5]

One thing not being discussed with KCP is that guy has some really impressive passes in his bag. Looks to be an accurate quick decision maker. He was really dangerous coming out of those pick and roll scenarios with Jokic. Not just dumping off to him but making some good reads. I think that will be really helpful with Paolo being the screener.

He isn’t just a catch and shoot 3D wing is my point he can do more than just that.

[tooler]

Sure our perimeter defense will be good, but how much points you will be able to squeeze from staring "PG" and starting SG who both can hardly pick a dribble or do much else but spot up? That was execlly problem in playoffs.

We still need at least servicable 25-28 mpg POINT GUARD so we can rotate those 3.

I’m on board with this. Essentially swap Cole for a good point guard or have him play better. There’s your three guard rotation in the playoffs. Simple.

[basketballRob]

https://youtu.be/YHIZ0Rb7lv0?feature=shared

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

[thelead]

Way more versatile than Gary:

Watch on YouTube

[BadMofoPimp]

Sure our perimeter defense will be good, but how much points you will be able to squeeze from staring "PG" and starting SG who both can hardly pick a dribble or do much else but spot up? That was execlly problem in playoffs.

We still need at least servicable 25-28 mpg POINT GUARD so we can rotate those 3.

It is all about team play, not just one player running around with the ball chucking shots.

[yoyojw17]

Way more versatile than Gary:

Watch on YouTube

I feel like simply saying... "Slightly better upgrade of gary Harris" could be a lazy discription of him.... and therefore his possible impact is being underestimated.

Watch on YouTube

[SOUL]

It is all about team play, not just one player running around with the ball chucking shots.

KCP gonna prove 'em wrong!!!

[drsd]

It is all about team play, not just one player running around with the ball chucking shots.

KCP gonna prove 'em wrong!!!

Now that the roster is fully rolled-back, what we can see is that Caldwell-Pope replaces Fultz. Or in other words, the Magic replaced 0.2 made threeballs at a 0.222 efficiency rate with 1.9 threeballs at a 0.406 efficiency rate.

Caldwell-Pope and Fultz had a nearly identical FGA attempt line per year, and the above fact meant that Caldwell-Pope scored 2.3 ppg more than Fultz.

At a very simply level, the Magic is a 2ppg better team offensively. That's HUGE. These lonely 2 points would have taken the Magic from being the 15th best team in point differential to 7th.

Last year, that would have gotten the Magic to about 51 wins. Which would have been, the Eastern #2 seed.

And this excludes the positive effect Caldwell-Pope will have on opening the interior for Banchero and F-Wagner (and their expected natural improvements).

Also: Caldwell-Pope slotted in to Fultz salary line. So there is no cap-change to add these 2 points. Genius move by management!