Official Summer 2024 Magic Free Agency and Trade Ideas Thread 8.0: A Forum Divided

[eyriq]

4. Milwaukee Bucks ▼ 1
5. Indiana Pacers ▲ 1
6. Cleveland Cavaliers ▼ 2
7. Orlando Magic ▼ 2

Feels like any one of these teams could get the 4 seed and homecourt in round 1.

Yeah, it's going to be a tight battle.

Personally, I like Milwaukee over both New York and Philly. I think the Bucks had a terrific offseason and have the best player of those teams.

[davey_wavy]

No state tax in Washington (Seattle). Sonics will be back, lots of buzz, etc. If I were him and I loved home, I'd go back too. I'm making good money here in Punta Gorda but would go to back home to Orlando in a heartbeat

You’re the one who started this whole mess by creating that post when he was first drafted. Now you have that in so many people’s heads. I’m so confused why you want this kid off the team.

You are grossly mistaken. I do not want Paolo off this team, AT ALL. I'm 39yo and have been obsessed with my team since 1989 when I went to the home opener as a 5 year old kid with my late grandfather. As most of us here, we lived through Shaq leaving (i cried as a kid when that happened), we saw Dwight leave (sucked), we saw superstars in Penny and Grant never fully reach their potential, and I'm not a huge TMAC guy but he bounced too. And although Timmy didn't play here, we were so damn close to signing him that when he changed his mind I felt like we lost him even know we never had him. So by default, OF COURSE I'm going to assume we will lose our next great talent, or 2. Its literally abandonment issues like SOUL said. And yes, I crack jokes on Paolo for looking like a witch lol but that's because I'm the idiot poster on this forum that just says whatever he's thinking at the time to hopefully get a laugh and add some humor when our board is up in flames & wants to trade the entire team and fire the FO because we lost to Charlotte by 2.

But to my point about not blaming him for wanting to go home IF HE ACTUALLY ENDS UP WANTING TO GO HOME, I get it now. If I had the capital to open my flooring business in Orlando and make the same money, or MORE, I would leave Punta Gorda FL in a heartbeat even though the community loves my business here. Home is home man. Plus, the cigs are much cheaper in Orlando (i grew up on Orange and Holden). The price of a carton of Cigs in Punta Gorda equals 2 or 3 upper bowl tickets to a Magic game

[eyriq]

This off-season followed the North Star of player development to a T. This was not a win-now off-season by any stretch of the imagination. Optimization around Paolo and Franz has been kicked down the road.

This is exactly what I wanted. So sleepy Weltman worked out great for me.

We are putting a heavy bet on Cole and AB by removing Fultz and Ingles and not addressing playmaking in free agency. One or both need to level up.

We are putting a heavy bet on Paolo and Franz by signing KCP instead of a playmaker.

Both bets are the right bets, IMO. Our championship odds are tied to Franz and Paolo working out as point forwards, and our maximum upside is AB working out as a primary playmaker. Side bet is on Suggs improving on-ball scoring, another no-brainer.

I think this player development North Star has a limited shelf life, though. Once Franz and Paolo are maxed the North Star with turn towards contending.

[VFX]

* Orlando and Cleveland both fall two spots. Running it back and relying on internal improvement isn't up to snuff.
* Pacers jump 1 spot, buying into their postseason success and a healthy Haliburton.


Eastern Conference:
1. Boston Celtics
2. New York Knicks
3. Philadelphia 76ers ▲ 4
4. Milwaukee Bucks ▼ 1
5. Indiana Pacers ▲ 1
6. Cleveland Cavaliers ▼ 2
----------------------------
7. Orlando Magic ▼ 2
8. Miami Heat
9. Atlanta Hawks ▲ 1
10. Toronto Raptors ▲ 2

Not sure how these first two points make sense at all.

Indiana goes up one spot by returning all of their players and adding no one, while Orlando goes down two spots by returning all their growing young players, adding KCP, and getting rid of Fultz?

Cleveland didn't add anyone of consequence either, so their success is based solely on health and availability.

[drsd]

4. Milwaukee Bucks ▼ 1
5. Indiana Pacers ▲ 1
6. Cleveland Cavaliers ▼ 2
7. Orlando Magic ▼ 2

Feels like any one of these teams could get the 4 seed and homecourt in round 1.

I cannot seriously accept the Knicks as the 2nd best team in the East. We will see.

[eyriq]

Not sure how these first two points make sense at all.

Indiana goes up one spot by returning all of their players and adding no one, while Orlando goes down two spots by returning all their growing young players, adding KCP, and getting rid of Fultz?

Cleveland didn't add anyone of consequence either, so their success is based solely on health and availability.

Indiana had NBA Cup success with a healthy Halliburton, added Siakam at the trade deadline, and had playoff success with an injured Halliburton. I count the Siakam move at the deadline as a big change that goes into full effect next season, and consider improved health and internal development to be different growth factors.

[VFX]

Not sure how these first two points make sense at all.

Indiana goes up one spot by returning all of their players and adding no one, while Orlando goes down two spots by returning all their growing young players, adding KCP, and getting rid of Fultz?

Cleveland didn't add anyone of consequence either, so their success is based solely on health and availability.

Indiana had NBA Cup success with a healthy Halliburton, added Siakam at the trade deadline, and had playoff success with an injured Halliburton. I count the Siakam move at the deadline as a big change that goes into full effect next season, and consider improved health and internal development to be different growth factors.

Yeah I still don't really buy them "on paper". They are a good team that relied on internal growth. They were swept by Boston WITH Siakam. They didn't add Siakam in the offseason, so I don't really factor that into these rankings.

Orlando going down two spots after adding KCP and trimming the fat makes no sense. This coming from a guy that thinks largely "running it back" was a stupid decision considering their problems with offensive efficiency.

[MagicTownBaller]

I'm wondering if the reason Orlando hasn't agreed to a deal with Suggs is because he wants the 5 year rookie max, which we can't give him when Paolo needs that.

If he accepts that he can't get the 5 year, he might want the 4 year max.

2025/26- $38.66M
2026/27- $41.75M
2027/28- $44.85M
2028/29- $47.94M
Total- $173.2M

Now, if he is fighting hard for that max, I would consider the max in year 1 with a decreasing scale,
2025/26- $38.66M
2026/27- $35.57M
2027/28- $32.73M
2028/29- $30.11M - Player Option
Total- $137.07M, if we did 5% decrease each year it goes up to $142.56M.

[eyriq]

Not sure how these first two points make sense at all.

Indiana goes up one spot by returning all of their players and adding no one, while Orlando goes down two spots by returning all their growing young players, adding KCP, and getting rid of Fultz?

Cleveland didn't add anyone of consequence either, so their success is based solely on health and availability.

Indiana had NBA Cup success with a healthy Halliburton, added Siakam at the trade deadline, and had playoff success with an injured Halliburton. I count the Siakam move at the deadline as a big change that goes into full effect next season, and consider improved health and internal development to be different growth factors.

Yeah I still don't really buy them "on paper". They are a good team that relied on internal growth. They were swept by Boston WITH Siakam. They didn't add Siakam in the offseason, so I don't really factor that into these rankings.

Orlando going down two spots after adding KCP and trimming the fat makes no sense. This coming from a guy that thinks largely "running it back" was a stupid decision considering their problems with offensive efficiency.

That's fair. I'm not sure I really buy what the Pacers are doing, either.

[sChOlaRlY_Magi]

I'm wondering if the reason Orlando hasn't agreed to a deal with Suggs is because he wants the 5 year rookie max, which we can't give him when Paolo needs that.

If he accepts that he can't get the 5 year, he might want the 4 year max.

2025/26- $38.66M
2026/27- $41.75M
2027/28- $44.85M
2028/29- $47.94M
Total- $173.2M

Now, if he is fighting hard for that max, I would consider the max in year 1 with a decreasing scale,
2025/26- $38.66M
2026/27- $35.57M
2027/28- $32.73M
2028/29- $30.11M - Player Option
Total- $137.07M, if we did 5% decrease each year it goes up to $142.56M.

I believe MAX contracts can't be decreased.

It's why they are MAX. Is there even a 1 year MAX that could descend after that? Idk, but I bet Knightro does!

[VFX]

I'm wondering if the reason Orlando hasn't agreed to a deal with Suggs is because he wants the 5 year rookie max, which we can't give him when Paolo needs that.

If he accepts that he can't get the 5 year, he might want the 4 year max.

2025/26- $38.66M
2026/27- $41.75M
2027/28- $44.85M
2028/29- $47.94M
Total- $173.2M

Now, if he is fighting hard for that max, I would consider the max in year 1 with a decreasing scale,
2025/26- $38.66M
2026/27- $35.57M
2027/28- $32.73M
2028/29- $30.11M - Player Option
Total- $137.07M, if we did 5% decrease each year it goes up to $142.56M.

Suggs is absolutely delusional if he thinks hes getting max. Not only that, but he and his agent should know this team isnt doing anything if he AND Paolo get the max. It's just not tenable to building a roster. A lot of these teams are going to get screwed handing out max money to certain players.

I LOVE Suggs and understand that there are a very limited number of guys in the league with his profile. However, he has to understand Marcus Smart and Derrick White are not max level guys. He is one season behind showcasing that he is a legitimate point guard. Orlando simply cant max him if he hasnt shown lead point guard or 3-level scorer skills.

Franz wasnt really deserving of max either considering his 3-point shot, but these guys are all going to get maxed because of the precedent that was set.

Worst case scenario is that he gets matched by Orlando after testing the market.

[Blue_and_Whte]

Anyone hear or see anything about Orlando being interested in Cam Johnson? Just saw something on FB, the least reliable source I know. Just curious.

[eyriq]

Anyone hear or see anything about Orlando being interested in Cam Johnson? Just saw something on FB, the least reliable source I know. Just curious.

Saw smoke about him earlier in the offseason, pre-draft I believe

[RookieStar]

Anyone hear or see anything about Orlando being interested in Cam Johnson? Just saw something on FB, the least reliable source I know. Just curious.

Earlier before he draft. Lots of smoke though. Think it was even before PG signed with PHI

[Skybox]

I'm wondering if the reason Orlando hasn't agreed to a deal with Suggs is because he wants the 5 year rookie max, which we can't give him when Paolo needs that.

If he accepts that he can't get the 5 year, he might want the 4 year max.

2025/26- $38.66M
2026/27- $41.75M
2027/28- $44.85M
2028/29- $47.94M
Total- $173.2M

Now, if he is fighting hard for that max, I would consider the max in year 1 with a decreasing scale,
2025/26- $38.66M
2026/27- $35.57M
2027/28- $32.73M
2028/29- $30.11M - Player Option
Total- $137.07M, if we did 5% decrease each year it goes up to $142.56M.

Utterly ridiculous numbers for Suggs...great guy, wonderful role player with some upside. No reason to pay him these kind of numbers THIS summer-IF he blows up this year - great - we can max him prior to becoming an RFA next summer.

[p0peye]

4. Milwaukee Bucks ▼ 1
5. Indiana Pacers ▲ 1
6. Cleveland Cavaliers ▼ 2
7. Orlando Magic ▼ 2

Feels like any one of these teams could get the 4 seed and homecourt in round 1.

I cannot seriously accept the Knicks as the 2nd best team in the East. We will see.

It is not a big reach to think Knicks might be a top team, depending on how they handle C position without Hartenstein and with KP being out in Boston.

[eyriq]

I could see Cole and Jett for Cam and a pick

[RookieStar]

I could see Cole and Jett for Cam and a pick

You think we give up Jett that quickly? Cam is also injury-prone if my memory serves me correctly.

[eyriq]

I could see Cole and Jett for Cam and a pick

You think we give up Jett that quickly? Cam is also injury-prone if my memory serves me correctly.

Just speculation. Jett's Papa is up there and Cam fits better than Cole and is about as good as we could for hope for Jett's upside. The pick would be lottery protected and it's a bit of a win now move, but I think the 11th pick should have been traded in a win-now move anyway.

[TheChaser]

Overall the team will only improve as much as Banchero and Wagner improve. Is that two wins? Four? Ten? Who knows.

Well the team improved 12 wins from 2022 to 2023, and then 13 wins from 2023 to 2024. So clearly the Magic should be 14 wins better this year and the team will have a 61-11 record. The maths is quite simple, after all.

Amen brother