Chuma Okeke Appreciation Thread (Signed by the NY Knicks)

[drsd]

NYK are doing what you’re supposed to do…fill out your roster with vet min guys that can give you a few mins in a pinch…not pay 3rd stringers $8m per. Throw all your cap space at the top 6 or 7- if injuries takes you past there, you’re toast anyway.

There’s no glory in having the best 3rd string in the NBA…Who’s got less depth than the wire to wire champs?

Are you upset about Harris or Bitadze here?

For Harris (a deal I don't agree with), the good news is that his salary comes off at the end of the season.

For Bitadze, can there be any doubt that either he or Carter will be traded in season? In that, signing him retained an asset.

[orlando_joe]

NYK are doing what you’re supposed to do…fill out your roster with vet min guys that can give you a few mins in a pinch…not pay 3rd stringers $8m per. Throw all your cap space at the top 6 or 7- if injuries takes you past there, you’re toast anyway.

There’s no glory in having the best 3rd string in the NBA…Who’s got less depth than the wire to wire champs?

dont worry magic about a yr away from that with paying franz,paolo and suggs ..and those contracts for 3rd string are mostly 1 yr then team option or rookie deals if you can afford insurance this season whats problem?

Hopefully, the plan is to package some of those short salaries for a player(s) that makes a difference in actually contending…not just kicking the can down the road again and again. The FO always look brilliant for setting themselves up perfectly for a big move - but it never comes. KCP is an excellent role player that is generating way too much celebration for a team poised to take a leap this summer.

i can somewhat agree just not sure who to take min from and not sure want more long term money
but trade deadline could shine some light

[Skybox]

dont worry magic about a yr away from that with paying franz,paolo and suggs ..and those contracts for 3rd string are mostly 1 yr then team option or rookie deals if you can afford insurance this season whats problem?

Hopefully, the plan is to package some of those short salaries for a player(s) that makes a difference in actually contending…not just kicking the can down the road again and again. The FO always look brilliant for setting themselves up perfectly for a big move - but it never comes. KCP is an excellent role player that is generating way too much celebration for a team poised to take a leap this summer.

i can somewhat agree just not sure who to take min from and not sure want more long term money

I'd say having a starter-quality 3rd Guard (first off the bench, getting 20+ mins and, on occasion, putting up 20pts) is the big need. Maybe Cole has a bit of a breakout with some efficiency in playmaking and, especially, shooting...I just don't think having 4 or 5 okay guys has the same value...injury protection is overrated - if you get to your third string...you're not going anywhere anyway. After that, a starting C upgrade would be my priority - but I don't consider it as significant. If we got enough backcourt versatility and scoring (not just two 3&D 13ppg types), we could put out more of a defensive C...which might even be Isaac or Goga, depending on development. This could also be a fluid situation as WCJ is a very good player, just maybe not the best frontcourt fit with our F's.

I like Black as 4th guard and given steady increases in on-ball minutes and defensive lockdown assignments (kind of like Isaac - "go get that guy and neutralize him"). Depending on matchups and hot hands, AB can even pick up minutes at Ingles-style Point Forward...point being that AB can get all of the minutes he earns because of his size, defense, and positional versatility (without having to dominate the backcourt or the ball). Cole, Harris, Joseph, Jett are all meh, if you're serious about contending with the big boys. If you've got KCP, Suggs, and Simons (for an example) each playing 25-30mpg, your backcourt can duke it out with anyone. Each one of those guys can be the best guy on the court any given night and all can play off of the two max superstars in the frontcourt.

[orlando_joe]

Hopefully, the plan is to package some of those short salaries for a player(s) that makes a difference in actually contending…not just kicking the can down the road again and again. The FO always look brilliant for setting themselves up perfectly for a big move - but it never comes. KCP is an excellent role player that is generating way too much celebration for a team poised to take a leap this summer.

i can somewhat agree just not sure who to take min from and not sure want more long term money

I'd say having a starter-quality 3rd Guard (first off the bench, getting 20+ mins and, on occasion, putting up 20pts) is the big need. Maybe Cole has a bit of a breakout with some efficiency in playmaking and, especially, shooting...I just don't think having 4 or 5 okay guys has the same value...injury protection is overrated - if you get to your third string...you're not going anywhere anyway. After that, a starting C upgrade would be my priority - but I don't consider it as significant. If we got enough backcourt versatility and scoring (not just two 3&D 13ppg types), we could put out more of a defensive C...which might even be Isaac or Goga, depending on development. This could also be a fluid situation as WCJ is a very good player, just maybe not the best frontcourt fit with our F's.

I like Black as 4th guard and given steady increases in on-ball minutes and defensive lockdown assignments (kind of like Isaac - "go get that guy and neutralize him"). Depending on matchups and hot hands, AB can even pick up minutes at Ingles-style Point Forward...point being that AB can get all of the minutes he earns because of his size, defense, and positional versatility (without having to dominate the backcourt or the ball). Cole, Harris, Joseph, Jett are all meh, if you're serious about contending with the big boys. If you've got KCP, Suggs, and Simons (for an example) each playing 25-30mpg, your backcourt can duke it out with anyone. Each one of those guys can be the best guy on the court any given night and all can play off of the two max superstars in the frontcourt.

i can also agree on that ..but it is only because 3 starters are on rookie deals most of time you are not a contender

[Skybox]

i can somewhat agree just not sure who to take min from and not sure want more long term money

I'd say having a starter-quality 3rd Guard (first off the bench, getting 20+ mins and, on occasion, putting up 20pts) is the big need. Maybe Cole has a bit of a breakout with some efficiency in playmaking and, especially, shooting...I just don't think having 4 or 5 okay guys has the same value...injury protection is overrated - if you get to your third string...you're not going anywhere anyway. After that, a starting C upgrade would be my priority - but I don't consider it as significant. If we got enough backcourt versatility and scoring (not just two 3&D 13ppg types), we could put out more of a defensive C...which might even be Isaac or Goga, depending on development. This could also be a fluid situation as WCJ is a very good player, just maybe not the best frontcourt fit with our F's.

I like Black as 4th guard and given steady increases in on-ball minutes and defensive lockdown assignments (kind of like Isaac - "go get that guy and neutralize him"). Depending on matchups and hot hands, AB can even pick up minutes at Ingles-style Point Forward...point being that AB can get all of the minutes he earns because of his size, defense, and positional versatility (without having to dominate the backcourt or the ball). Cole, Harris, Joseph, Jett are all meh, if you're serious about contending with the big boys. If you've got KCP, Suggs, and Simons (for an example) each playing 25-30mpg, your backcourt can duke it out with anyone. Each one of those guys can be the best guy on the court any given night and all can play off of the two max superstars in the frontcourt.

i can also agree on that ..but it is only because 3 starters are on rookie deals most of time you are not a contender

yes...we're very fortunate to be ahead of schedule. Franz & Paolo are so mature in their skills and demeanor...call it a blessing rather than a reason to pump the brakes and say "we've got plenty of time". IMO, despite the improvements we've made and shown, we're kind of wasting time by waiting for others to catch up in the name of organic development. Franz & Paolo will get even better, but they're already here and ready to compete with anyone...assuming they get the supporting cast they need.

Even if Paolo is 20yo, he's not going to enjoy babysitting guys that are older and/or have more years in the league if they just can't keep up. That's why he's star material...Michael Jordan would be making these guys cry in practice.

[eyriq]

Best of luck!

[yoyojw17]

Good luck chuma!!

[orlando_joe]

I'd say having a starter-quality 3rd Guard (first off the bench, getting 20+ mins and, on occasion, putting up 20pts) is the big need. Maybe Cole has a bit of a breakout with some efficiency in playmaking and, especially, shooting...I just don't think having 4 or 5 okay guys has the same value...injury protection is overrated - if you get to your third string...you're not going anywhere anyway. After that, a starting C upgrade would be my priority - but I don't consider it as significant. If we got enough backcourt versatility and scoring (not just two 3&D 13ppg types), we could put out more of a defensive C...which might even be Isaac or Goga, depending on development. This could also be a fluid situation as WCJ is a very good player, just maybe not the best frontcourt fit with our F's.

I like Black as 4th guard and given steady increases in on-ball minutes and defensive lockdown assignments (kind of like Isaac - "go get that guy and neutralize him"). Depending on matchups and hot hands, AB can even pick up minutes at Ingles-style Point Forward...point being that AB can get all of the minutes he earns because of his size, defense, and positional versatility (without having to dominate the backcourt or the ball). Cole, Harris, Joseph, Jett are all meh, if you're serious about contending with the big boys. If you've got KCP, Suggs, and Simons (for an example) each playing 25-30mpg, your backcourt can duke it out with anyone. Each one of those guys can be the best guy on the court any given night and all can play off of the two max superstars in the frontcourt.

i can also agree on that ..but it is only because 3 starters are on rookie deals most of time you are not a contender

yes...we're very fortunate to be ahead of schedule. Franz & Paolo are so mature in their skills and demeanor...call it a blessing rather than a reason to pump the brakes and say "we've got plenty of time". IMO, despite the improvements we've made and shown, we're kind of wasting time by waiting for others to catch up in the name of organic development. Franz & Paolo will get even better, but they're already here and ready to compete with anyone...assuming they get the supporting cast they need.

Even if Paolo is 20yo, he's not going to enjoy babysitting guys that are older and/or have more years in the league if they just can't keep up. That's why he's star material...Michael Jordan would be making these guys cry in practice.

i can see how you say wasting time but also hard to get big upgrade on 1 yr deal because after this season magic will be in tax for a long time i would think..i want to see what young guys can step up before just putting at end of bench so just for me ready to start season..go magic !

[Audi]

Just like AG, Chuma was another rap superstar in his own mind.
Just like AG, I really can't say I'll miss him.

Read on Twitter

[Fortune Teller]

Another player Weltman extended and/or re-signed and then when it was time for the market to tell us what they were actually worth the number was zero. He's spent a lot of the DeVos family money on non-NBA players.

[purpleswordfish]

Another player Weltman extended and/or re-signed and then when it was time for the market to tell us what they were actually worth the number was zero. He's spent a lot of the DeVos family money on non-NBA players.

Well, that is one way to look at the situation. I always viewed Okeke as a player that the front office believed would become a rotation player - probably off the bench. He was on a rookie scale deal and picking up his options for years 3 & 4 cost $3.43M for 2022-2023 and $5.27M for 2023-2024. The NBA minimum would have been $2.01M and $2.16M respectively for a player with his service time. So yeah, the Magic could have saved a bit of money those two years. But, the front office really seemed to believe in Okeke becoming something and I can't recall the Magic needing that cap room.

Front offices are like that, they don't easily give up on first-round picks without good reason. The Magic kicked the tires for four years and didn't even make a qualifying offer. He's just a middle first-round pick that didn't work out, those things happen a lot in the NBA.

[Skybox]

Just like AG, Chuma was another rap superstar in his own mind.
Just like AG, I really can't say I'll miss him.

Read on Twitter

That video just dropped him off my list...nothing more pathetic than watching two NBA fails waving stacks of cash they didn't earn

[SloNick Russia]

Chuma is following Kyle O'Quinn path Worked well for Kyle, maybe will work for Chuma too.

[Skybox]

I think Chuma could do well. If he’s the end of your roster- you could do a lot worse…very versatile, good team defender, can handle a bit and, occasionally, knocks down 3’s. Good luck Big Chum

[T-Cat]

Just like AG, Chuma was another rap superstar in his own mind.
Just like AG, I really can't say I'll miss him.

Read on Twitter

That video just dropped him off my list...nothing more pathetic than watching two NBA fails waving stacks of cash they didn't earn

I think Weltman could have drafted the French kid, he at least had more exciting upside than Okeke if Detroit didn't pick him at 15.

[Blue_and_Whte]

I honestly didn’t think anyone would pick him up.

[thelead]

I honestly didn’t think anyone would pick him up.

I thought so too but it’s an exhibit 10 contract. It’s pretty much a training camp try out contract.

[Knightro]

Another player Weltman extended and/or re-signed and then when it was time for the market to tell us what they were actually worth the number was zero. He's spent a lot of the DeVos family money on non-NBA players.

To be fair, the Magic didn't give him a second contract. He simply played out his rookie contract and then departed in free agency.

Now I guess you could say they could have declined the team options they held on the third and fourth year of his contract, but that's a bit tricky too because those options have to be decided on a year in advance.

Almost every NBA first round pick gets their third year option picked up because the team has to decide on it after their rookie year and the vast majority of teams are not going to admit defeat on a rookie no matter how awful they are as rookies.

And it's certainly a low bar, but Chuma's best individual season was his 2nd season, so I can understand the team thinking he might be improving and deciding to pick up the option for his fourth year too as that decision had to be made BEFORE his truly awful third season.

[drsd]

Another player Weltman extended and/or re-signed and then when it was time for the market to tell us what they were actually worth the number was zero. He's spent a lot of the DeVos family money on non-NBA players.

To be fair, the Magic didn't give him a second contract. He simply played out his rookie contract and then departed in free agency.

Now I guess you could say they could have declined the team options they held on the third and fourth year of his contract, but that's a bit tricky too because those options have to be decided on a year in advance.

Almost every NBA first round pick gets their third year option picked up because the team has to decide on it after their rookie year and the vast majority of teams are not going to admit defeat on a rookie no matter how awful they are as rookies.

And it's certainly a low bar, but Chuma's best individual season was his 2nd season, so I can understand the team thinking he might be improving and deciding to pick up the option for his fourth year too as that decision had to be made BEFORE his truly awful third season.

And-1

I am so excited that Orlando's 2024-25 roster is an upgrade of Okeke, Ingles, and Fultz. With Joseph, da Silva, and Caldwell-Pope.

Orlando is a lot better than I thought they would be at this point.

For these three, I would rate it as:
Joseph > Okeke
da Silva = Ingles (because of da Silva's "upside" compared to Ingles expected decline)
Caldwell-Pope > Fultz

I am so happy that Okeke is no longer a Magician, I can even accept that Orlando signed a 4th PG with his roster slot.

[Last Guardian]

He never had amazing potential, but he started off pretty damn solid after the big rebuild trades happened. Unfortunately he regressed from that point on and became somewhat of a chucker who wasn't a good shooter. Not the best combo.