Around the League: 2024-25 Season

[Idiosyncratic]

They're a significantly younger team than ours (a full year, on average). They overpaid, by design, either in salary or trade value, to get short-term veterans to lift their young core by skill and example. They are a tremendous comparison... of how to do it when you can. How to seize opportunity instead of BS delays and excuses. We can wait - but we don't have to. P&F are so young that we can try, fail, and try again-if needed. Age is a number. Paolo & Franz are not "developing"...they are stars (who will get even better, but they're stars NOW).

Paolo and Franz are nowhere near SGA yet.

They can overpay because they keep adding draft picks to their rotation. It is brilliant, let's copy it.

Hartenstein was a similar FA signing to Caldwell-Pope, we made that similar move. Caruso was trading a player they no longer have need for for a role player. They have the best net rating in the NBA, they should go for it. We should too when we are that good. We are 10th this year, we were 14th last year man, this isn't even close to the same.

The roadmap is the same and they are widening the gap with every savvy, "around the edges" move...while we admire ourselves and them and say "someday we can do that" instead of just doing it.

Our roadmap is not the same if we don't have someone looking like an MVP. And most of their best recent rotation additions have been draft picks, something you think we have little use for. The best or 2nd best team in the NBA is ahead of us in their process, I mean that isn't a smoking hot take. They should now look for trades to consolidate, they really haven't yet though.

[Idiosyncratic]

Also again, if a trade makes sense make it. It just isn't super pressing that we absolutely have to move picks for deadline help. It just isn't. If we can find someone who can be a good addition for the right price nobody is objecting to that.

The argument that we are close to being as good as the Thunder and they're doing so much more to improve when they haven't even traded picks yet is just wrong.

[three3d]

They'd be a great comparison if WCJ was a top 3 MVP candidate.

that's silly...their big 3 is SGA, Jalen, and Chet
ours is similar, and nearly equivalent overall, imo...and, actually younger.

And if/when our big 3 can be a team that looks like one of the few best in the league we should go for it. They haven't even made moves like that and they are the best team in the NBA.

You are underestimating how much better Shai is than our guys. And their defense is even better than ours statistically in a harder conference.

We have a top 3 defense and a bottom 5 offense. It really is that simple to see how much better we could be with just one or two moves. And it goes back to KCP, I’m fine with KCP in a vacuum BUT he shouldn’t have been the big signing for us this summer. CoJo shouldn’t even be touching a basketball court in actual meaningful game time yet he is for us. We like OKC have a load of draft picks but we already know they aren’t going to be used in any creative way.

[Idiosyncratic]

that's silly...their big 3 is SGA, Jalen, and Chet
ours is similar, and nearly equivalent overall, imo...and, actually younger.

And if/when our big 3 can be a team that looks like one of the few best in the league we should go for it. They haven't even made moves like that and they are the best team in the NBA.

You are underestimating how much better Shai is than our guys. And their defense is even better than ours statistically in a harder conference.

We have a top 3 defense and a bottom 5 offense. It really is that simple to see how much better we could be with just one or two moves. And it goes back to KCP, I’m fine with KCP in a vacuum BUT he shouldn’t have been the big signing for us this summer. CoJo shouldn’t even be touching a basketball court in actual meaningful game time yet he is for us. We like OKC have a load of draft picks but we already know they aren’t going to be used in any creative way.

I agree with you on Caldwell-Pope, I didn't like the move. Silver lining is pretty much all of the free agent signings this offseason were pretty awful and he will expire around when we get expensive so I don't think it is catastrophic. He also is probably pretty close to being tradable to a contender if need be. The Wendell contract though is certainly looking very bad.

And obviously agree we need shooting, they should be looking everywhere they can for competent offensive players. I just don't agree that they are somehow failing if they don't do it right this instant. That's just where I'm going to differ.

[three3d]

And if/when our big 3 can be a team that looks like one of the few best in the league we should go for it. They haven't even made moves like that and they are the best team in the NBA.

You are underestimating how much better Shai is than our guys. And their defense is even better than ours statistically in a harder conference.

We have a top 3 defense and a bottom 5 offense. It really is that simple to see how much better we could be with just one or two moves. And it goes back to KCP, I’m fine with KCP in a vacuum BUT he shouldn’t have been the big signing for us this summer. CoJo shouldn’t even be touching a basketball court in actual meaningful game time yet he is for us. We like OKC have a load of draft picks but we already know they aren’t going to be used in any creative way.

I agree with you on Caldwell-Pope, I didn't like the move. Silver lining is pretty much all of the free agent signings this offseason were pretty awful and he will expire around when we get expensive so I don't think it is catastrophic. He also is probably pretty close to being tradable to a contender if need be. The Wendell contract though is certainly looking very bad.

And obviously agree we need shooting, they should be looking everywhere they can for competent offensive players. I just don't agree that they are somehow failing if they don't do it right this instant. That's just where I'm going to differ.

The Wendell contract I think is a handcuff right now for us keeping us from really making any trades. I don’t know if we really have the luxury of being patient if we are to win a Championship. San Antonio is an up and coming problem for everyone and you don’t or shouldn’t want to be entering your championship prime the same time as them. Between the Spurs and the Thunder it’s going to be really tough, the Thunder are so well built and ran we have to speed this thing up.

[Skybox]

Also again, if a trade makes sense make it. It just isn't super pressing that we absolutely have to move picks for deadline help. It just isn't. If we can find someone who can be a good addition for the right price nobody is objecting to that.

The argument that we are close to being as good as the Thunder and they're doing so much more to improve when they haven't even traded picks yet is just wrong.

Nobody made that argument...I'm saying it's good to try to improve and that a GOOD FO is proactive. You're saying wait until somebody wakes your sleepy ass up and drags you into a good deal and then, maybe, do it.

The Thunder are better than the Magic...Shai is the best player on both teams...Shai is better than WCJ I understand that we weren't "given" an MVP candidate to start with....But, now we are here and our Top 3 is comparable to their Top 3 overall, imo. I'd say that Paolo & Franz are numbers 2 & 3 if we're rating them. You're dialing in on the wrong points.

I think you can put the rosters side by side, and compare players one by one, and feel pretty good about the Magic's talent...However, it's oddly assembled and missing key skills.

Presti is crushing Weltman in job performance - that's not disputable. OKC has much more logical roster balance and perfectly complementary vets added to their young core. That is not me saying that Weltman or the Magic are BAD...just that they are not as proactive. Weltman, for the most part, has drafted really well and been sensible, for the most part, with contracts. But ORL does not have an aggressive (not the same as reckless or panicky or desperate ) FO.

[Skybox]

I'm OK with the KCP signing...but it should have been KCP AND....an offensive player that can handle the ball. Not necessarily an All-Star, or even a starter, just a functional ball handler who can score from the perimeter and not turn it over as often as get an assist. How mysterious is that? We don't have a real PG on the roster and we suffer from lack of stuff associated with PG play...is that a big shock?

[RichCollab]

OKC can be the example once they make it to the finals. Both OKC and Cavs are great regular season teams. I’m not trying to win the regular season.

OKC has unlimited picks. It opens things up a bit because of that.

[RookieStar]

Man.... my former "2nd team" the Raps is shamelessly revving up their tank BUT in the wrong way. They are supposed to keep it competitive while developing/evaluating who they have on the way to losing by the slimmest of margins.

Losing by 50pts is not the way to do it. lol

They really panting what Franz and Suggs did for us before PB so they making sure they can repeat our process.

[byeganyo]

Cavs also are soon going to have 3 max contracts plus Jarrett Allen making 30m per year - something that Orlando simply should not do according to the half of the posters here.

Mitchell is 28, Allen is 26, Garland is 25, Mobley is 23.
Franz is 23, Suggs is 23, Paolo is 22, AB is 21

Garland is 24, Cavs traded for Mitchel /and Allen/, which is my point - that you could and should trade for a max player if it's possible.

And AB is not the 4th most important player for Orlando so far. Most likely it's Goga currently. btw his contract will run out in 3 years and if he keeps his current production, we are not keeping him for 9 m per year, that certain.

[byeganyo]

Paolo- 50 mil
Franz- 42 mil
Suggs- 32 mil
Isaac- 15 mil
Wendell 18 mil
Caldwell-Pope 20 mil
AB- 10 mil
Da Silva 4 mil

Puts us at 191 for 8 players in 2026. 1st apron is 215 I believe. 2nd is 228

So we would be 24 mil away from the 1st apron with only 8 players. See how a 50 million Fox or Mitchell would be hard? Can obviously try to take losses on Wendell and Isaac and add a star but then you are an apron team with 6 or 7 players. Maybe worth it for a guy like Luka, debatable for a guy like Fox.

*disclaimer, my numbers could be slightly off I am far from an expert at this, but I think I'm close*

You have omitted Goga, Jett and Cole who should be on the payroll still. So lets take Jett and Cole 21 m combined salary and add KCP 22m for instance - thats 43 m that can go to one star-ish player and it leaves us still with 9 players. If you trust WCJ and JI (i dont) thats a solid rotation that can be filled with some veterans or 2srp.

[Idiosyncratic]

Paolo- 50 mil
Franz- 42 mil
Suggs- 32 mil
Isaac- 15 mil
Wendell 18 mil
Caldwell-Pope 20 mil
AB- 10 mil
Da Silva 4 mil

Puts us at 191 for 8 players in 2026. 1st apron is 215 I believe. 2nd is 228

So we would be 24 mil away from the 1st apron with only 8 players. See how a 50 million Fox or Mitchell would be hard? Can obviously try to take losses on Wendell and Isaac and add a star but then you are an apron team with 6 or 7 players. Maybe worth it for a guy like Luka, debatable for a guy like Fox.

*disclaimer, my numbers could be slightly off I am far from an expert at this, but I think I'm close*

You have omitted Goga, Jett and Cole who should be on the payroll still. So lets take Jett and Cole 21 m combined salary and add KCP 22m for instance - thats 43 m that can go to one star-ish player and it leaves us still with 9 players. If you trust WCJ and JI (i dont) thats a solid rotation that can be filled with some veterans or 2srp.

Think Cole is off the books by then and they don't pick up Jett's option at this point. You're right I forgot Goga, so 198 million for 9 players. I mean it is doable, they could move Wendell, Caldwell-Pope and AB plus picks by then for another 50 million dollar player.

Star-50
Paolo-50
Franz-42
Suggs-32
Isaac-15
Goga-8
Da Silva-4

Money for one decent bench guy plus minimums/2nd rounders. Stars and scrubs formula, not my favorite team building strategy. I feel like getting into a roster like that early in Paolo and Franz's career would not be optimal, but maybe for the right star it's worth it. Would partially depend on how well they draft these next 2 years I guess. Goga would expire after the season leaving you peanuts to find a starting center. It feels like an all-in move if the guys are struggling to win a title on their own to me.

Now if you can get that star for less than super max maybe the equation is different, as it could be if Paolo doesn't make All-NBA before his extension.

[sChOlaRlY_Magi]

Who has the cold plunge info on Fox?

[ORLMagicGirl15]

Watching the Celtics vs Wolves, it make me miss our 09-10 team that can effortlessly make 3s. I can’t wait until we get back to that.

[richi_v25]

Watching the Celtics vs Wolves, it make me miss our 09-10 team that can effortlessly make 3s. I can’t wait until we get back to that.

Wow you must be old that was 15 years ago... jk I'm miss them too especially Hedo. I miss Tmac more, he could score from anywhere.

[RookieStar]

Watching the Celtics vs Wolves, it make me miss our 09-10 team that can effortlessly make 3s. I can’t wait until we get back to that.

Wow you must be old that was 15 years ago... jk I'm miss them too especially Hedo. I miss Tmac more, he could score from anywhere.

Yeah but if it wqs anyone but Tmac trying to score, you half expect it to miss. D12 era though... even Pietrus shooting you expect it to go in lol

[basketballRob]

The Cheatles and the Bucks losing means we stay in 4th.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

[Idiosyncratic]

The Cheatles and the Bucks losing means we stay in 4th.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

Nets are trying to give their lead up. Pacers looking better, maybe Haliburton is getting healthy.

Kel'el Ware with a monster game for the Heat though, he's looked super good in limited minutes .

That 11-21 run in this past draft is looking really strong. Ware, McCain, Knecht, Da Silva, Missi are all rotation players right now. We haven't even seen Topic or Devin Carter play, both of whom I had top 7 on my personal board. Buzelis IMO hasn't looked bad. Tyson and Walter look decent. Seems every player taken in that stretch has a chance to be pretty good.

[Idiosyncratic]

Brookyln pulled back away and will likely win. They may need to trade some people, they can't afford to win too many games lol.

OKC with their 13th straight win. All without Chet... Scary stuff.

[ORLMagicGirl15]

The Nets doing all they can to lose this game against the Bucks, 18-0 run for the Bucks 1 minute left to go.