2024-2025 Regular Season Game 44: Denver Nuggets (25-16) at Orlando Magic (23-20) 6:00PM

[Optimus_Steel]

Box-score thoughts.

Orlando lost the FG% battle and lost the game.

It's really quite amazing these stats:
Denver made 14 more FTs in a game won by 13. Is there another stat to read? Well, yes.
Orlando took 25 more FG attempts, yet made 4 less FGs.
That was because the Magic got smoked on rebounding differential finishing minus-17: (40-57).

Also: the Magic has now dipped below the horrendous 3PM% line of 2012/13 Minny and is currently the worst 3pt% team since the 2011-12 Bobcats. That was a 29.5% stinkhole; Orlando won't dip below that. Right?
For the stat-hounds, Orlando is currently the FORTH WORST EVER 3pt shooting team by percentage.
1. Denver Nuggets (2002–03 Season): Three-Point Percentage: 27.8%
2. Charlotte Hornets (2011–12 Season): Three-Point Percentage: 29.5%
3. New Jersey Nets (1986–87 Season): Three-Point Percentage: 29.6%
4. Orlando Magic 2024/25 ???????

In the end, with F-Wagner and Suggs coming back soon, I would think the Magic's final season stat line will end up above 30.6%, and the Magic will land as the 6th worst ever (there is a big jump to what will become seventh).

Here is a list of the worst three-point shooting teams over a season in NBA history:

1. Denver Nuggets (2002–03 Season):
Three-Point Percentage: 27.8%
Description: This performance stands as the lowest team three-point shooting percentage in NBA history.

2. Charlotte Hornets (2011–12 Season):
Three-Point Percentage: 29.5%
Description: This historically poor shooting season coincided with the Hornets' record-low win percentage (.106) during the lockout-shortened season.

3. New Jersey Nets (1986–87 Season):
Three-Point Percentage: 29.6%
Description: A rough season for the Nets, who struggled to adapt to the growing emphasis on the three-point shot in the late 1980s.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves (1992–93 Season):
Three-Point Percentage: 30.4%
Description: The Timberwolves had one of the league's lowest offensive efficiencies, compounded by their inability to shoot from deep.

5. Chicago Bulls (1999–00 Season):
Three-Point Percentage: 30.5%
Description: Following the post-Jordan rebuild, the Bulls had one of the least efficient offenses in the league.

6. Detroit Pistons (2014–15 Season):
Three-Point Percentage: 31.2%
Description: Despite improvements in other areas, Detroit's inability to shoot the three was a glaring weakness.

7. Atlanta Hawks (2004–05 Season):
Three-Point Percentage: 31.3%
Description: A rebuilding Hawks team lacked consistent outside shooting, contributing to a poor overall season.

8. Miami Heat (2000–01 Season):
Three-Point Percentage: 31.4%
Description: An aging Heat roster struggled with offensive spacing and shooting efficiency.

9. Philadelphia 76ers (2015–16 Season):
Three-Point Percentage: 31.6%
Description: Part of "The Process," this season's team suffered from inefficient shooting across the board.

10. Orlando Magic (1990–91 Season):
Three-Point Percentage: 31.8%
Description: A young Magic team still finding its identity struggled mightily from long range.

..

Wow a historically bad shooting team in an the era of the most 3pt launching. I guess its a miracle we are 2 games over .500. This is beyond dreadful, these are historical level and yet we keep launching them…we shot 41 this game….but we cant drive either…front office action to address this over the summer is necessary. We have assets, use them!

[eyriq]

Box-score thoughts.

Orlando lost the FG% battle and lost the game.

It's really quite amazing these stats:
Denver made 14 more FTs in a game won by 13. Is there another stat to read? Well, yes.
Orlando took 25 more FG attempts, yet made 4 less FGs.
That was because the Magic got smoked on rebounding differential finishing minus-17: (40-57).

Also: the Magic has now dipped below the horrendous 3PM% line of 2012/13 Minny and is currently the worst 3pt% team since the 2011-12 Bobcats. That was a 29.5% stinkhole; Orlando won't dip below that. Right?
For the stat-hounds, Orlando is currently the FORTH WORST EVER 3pt shooting team by percentage.
1. Denver Nuggets (2002–03 Season): Three-Point Percentage: 27.8%
2. Charlotte Hornets (2011–12 Season): Three-Point Percentage: 29.5%
3. New Jersey Nets (1986–87 Season): Three-Point Percentage: 29.6%
4. Orlando Magic 2024/25 ???????

In the end, with F-Wagner and Suggs coming back soon, I would think the Magic's final season stat line will end up above 30.6%, and the Magic will land as the 6th worst ever (there is a big jump to what will become seventh).

Here is a list of the worst three-point shooting teams over a season in NBA history:

1. Denver Nuggets (2002–03 Season):
Three-Point Percentage: 27.8%
Description: This performance stands as the lowest team three-point shooting percentage in NBA history.

2. Charlotte Hornets (2011–12 Season):
Three-Point Percentage: 29.5%
Description: This historically poor shooting season coincided with the Hornets' record-low win percentage (.106) during the lockout-shortened season.

3. New Jersey Nets (1986–87 Season):
Three-Point Percentage: 29.6%
Description: A rough season for the Nets, who struggled to adapt to the growing emphasis on the three-point shot in the late 1980s.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves (1992–93 Season):
Three-Point Percentage: 30.4%
Description: The Timberwolves had one of the league's lowest offensive efficiencies, compounded by their inability to shoot from deep.

5. Chicago Bulls (1999–00 Season):
Three-Point Percentage: 30.5%
Description: Following the post-Jordan rebuild, the Bulls had one of the least efficient offenses in the league.

6. Detroit Pistons (2014–15 Season):
Three-Point Percentage: 31.2%
Description: Despite improvements in other areas, Detroit's inability to shoot the three was a glaring weakness.

7. Atlanta Hawks (2004–05 Season):
Three-Point Percentage: 31.3%
Description: A rebuilding Hawks team lacked consistent outside shooting, contributing to a poor overall season.

8. Miami Heat (2000–01 Season):
Three-Point Percentage: 31.4%
Description: An aging Heat roster struggled with offensive spacing and shooting efficiency.

9. Philadelphia 76ers (2015–16 Season):
Three-Point Percentage: 31.6%
Description: Part of "The Process," this season's team suffered from inefficient shooting across the board.

10. Orlando Magic (1990–91 Season):
Three-Point Percentage: 31.8%
Description: A young Magic team still finding its identity struggled mightily from long range.

..

Wow a historically bad shooting team in an the era of the most 3pt launching. I guess its a miracle we are 2 games over .500. This is beyond dreadful, these are historical level and yet we keep launching them…we shot 41 this game….but we cant drive either…front office action to address this over the summer is necessary. We have assets, use them!

It is weird that we keep launching them. If we are historically bad at shooting them how can generating so many three-point looks be considered good offense?

[pepe1991]

There is video on reddit of Banchero passing to wide open shooters.
Trouble? Well those people are wide open because defense wants them to shoot.

[Bergmaniac]

It is weird that we keep launching them. If we are historically bad at shooting them how can generating so many three-point looks be considered good offense?

It's obviously not a good offense, but there are few other realistic options. Obviously the key to efficient offense apart from good 3 point shooting is getting to the rim and to the line more, but that's quite hard to do when the other team knows you are a poor shooting team and can safely pack the paint. We get a pretty good amount of shots from the restricted area (25.9 per game, which is 12th in the league), we are also fourth in the league in FTA per 100 possessions, which is quite impressive with all the injuries to our best slashers. Sure we can be better in these areas, but realistically not by much, and the other option is replacing the 3s with 2 pointers outside the restricted idea, which is a not a good idea. This year we have shot only 41.3% on non-restricted area paint shots and 37.8% on mid-range. There is no coaching that can overcome your top shooters as bad as ours are currently. KCP is shooting 26% on corner 3s, that's an incredible number after 40+ game for someone with his track record. Caleb Houstan is supposed to be a 3 point specialist who spends most of the game spotting up in the corner but he is shooting 22% on corner 3s this year.

The corner 3 is usually the next best shoot after a layup/dunk according to analytics, but our team this year is pretty dreadful at it and that's a huge issue for the offense. If we look at the players with most attempted corner 3s for us this season, their percentages are 26.9 (KCP), 36.9 (TDS), 32.3 (Isaac), 27.0 (Black), 42.9 (Suggs), 32.1 (Harris), 22.2 (Houstan), 41.7 (Jett), 37.5 (Mo Wagner), 28.6 (Wendell) and 27.8 (Cole). These are almost all wide open shots from the easiest spot for 3 yet so many of our players shoot them well below the league average for 3s in general. Even last year, when we were still a poor 3 point shooting team, we shot them much better (36.6 compared to 32.1 percent this year) and our 3 players with most attempts shot 37.5% or better, two of them were over 40% (Houstan and Harris).

[drsd]

There is video on reddit of Banchero passing to wide open shooters.
Trouble? Well those people are wide open because defense wants them to shoot.

I am reminded of the video of Draymond Green "guarding" Westbrook by standing 10 feet from him.

(I love the commentary from 17-sec from Van Gundy about Green being allowed to camp in the paint).

Watch on YouTube

[Bergmaniac]

Westbrook is shooting better from 3 this year than all but 4 of our players, just think about this for a second.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

Westbrook is shooting better from 3 this year than all but 4 of our players, just think about this for a second.

to have a guard like him on this roster would be so refreshing. just full on attack and be an absolute menace

[drsd]

The corner 3 is usually the next best shoot after a layup/dunk according to analytics, ....

We should all remember that 33% from three is worth the same score as 50% from two. That is, being "Mendoza" in the corner is still better than all other shots excluding PnR layups and putback dunks.

One can look at a guy like Gilgeous-Alexander and say, but he only shoots 35% from three. Well, on 5.7 attempts per game, to get the same scoring from 2, that s 53%. That is, the pedestrian 35% is still a good efficiency.

Now let's consider Anthony Edwards. He is shooting 43% with the longball on 10 distance attempts per game. That is ridiculous. And it proves that "the next Curry" is possible.

Spoiler:

BTW: Curry is "only" shooting 41% this year with his longball this year, lowering his career percentages. He's such a freak (in a good way).

[Idiosyncratic]

I mean being realistic they are missing 4 of their top 6 players and people are spouting about need for additions. Guys like Simons and Sexton lose all the frickin time as is, we aren't winning currently with one of them when we are still missing Franz, Suggs, Goga, Mo, Paolo playing into shape. Just funny is all. Doesn't mean they couldn't be good additions, it's just so pointless to fixate on right now.

I'm not a fan of Caldwell-Pope, Isaac, Wendell, Cole or Jett. I don't think this front office is perfect. I just also don't absolutely need a trade to happen and can recognize there is very little to gain from analyzing these games when we are this hurt.

I think a lot of fans are overly reactionary and it goes for all sports. It's OK though sports are just a fun outlet outside of real life stuff, and like I always say it would be boring if we all agreed on everything.

Yeah, like right now after three blowouts the natural reaction is to say "something needs to change!". Fortunately there is an immediate and drastic change on the horizon with Franz returning. And then two more drastic changes in Suggs and Goga returning. Health will be enough to get us back on track.

I’m not dim enough to think ORL isn’t a lot better when at full strength…it doesn’t mean we don’t have holes in our roster then too…they’re just more glaring and more pressing when we’re diminished. Why does everyone presume that any criticism (better wording…”opportunity for improvement”) is a thoughtless reaction to, specifically, the last game they played? Intelligent posters have been noting the same needs & opportunities for a couple of seasons or more. Our offense is bad…when at 100%- it’s less bad…I wish that the areas for my business (or whatever issues of the world) were so clearly visible and the opportunities to improve were so obvious.

Everyone knows we need shooting, even non-Magic fans. The reality is it probably isn't fixable in one trade deadline. Yes they could have made better moves in the past, but right now this is where we are.

The other question is what is worth giving up for players who are mostly rentals or have 1.5 years of control. Trading assets for short-term fixes likely lowers our overall championship odds believe it or not.

[Skybox]

Westbrook is shooting better from 3 this year than all but 4 of our players, just think about this for a second.

to have a guard like him on this roster would be so refreshing. just full on attack and be an absolute menace

I always think he'd be great for AB...just full-on attack-mode, fear nobody, attitude overcoming skillset to the point of being a HOFer

[Skybox]

Yeah, like right now after three blowouts the natural reaction is to say "something needs to change!". Fortunately there is an immediate and drastic change on the horizon with Franz returning. And then two more drastic changes in Suggs and Goga returning. Health will be enough to get us back on track.

I’m not dim enough to think ORL isn’t a lot better when at full strength…it doesn’t mean we don’t have holes in our roster then too…they’re just more glaring and more pressing when we’re diminished. Why does everyone presume that any criticism (better wording…”opportunity for improvement”) is a thoughtless reaction to, specifically, the last game they played? Intelligent posters have been noting the same needs & opportunities for a couple of seasons or more. Our offense is bad…when at 100%- it’s less bad…I wish that the areas for my business (or whatever issues of the world) were so clearly visible and the opportunities to improve were so obvious.

Everyone knows we need shooting, even non-Magic fans. The reality is it probably isn't fixable in one trade deadline. Yes they could have made better moves in the past, but right now this is where we are.

The other question is what is worth giving up for players who are mostly rentals or have 1.5 years of control. Trading assets for short-term fixes likely lowers our overall championship odds believe it or not.

Everybody's contract ends at some point...everybody is a "rental" except a just born rookie (who we don't seem to expect anythiing for the first 3 years of paying them) Why are we so afraid of losing anybody good? Are we or are we not a good organization, a good community? a good competitive situation? a good locker room? Coach? tax-free state?

Rental is a cop-out...unless the guy is as delusional as Ingram. You can re-sign anyone you want to - at a price that is agreed to by both sides. You make moves with that in mind, maybe even discuss with agent (no guarantees of course, just like no guarantees that you'll earn another contract if you don't hit the shots you hit before you got here). Terrible inferiority complex here...LAL doesn't just gobble up every free agent in the league. Who's going to pay Jimmy Butler $50m+ next year? Nobody can and the one or two teams that can clear the space shouldn't.

Get good players at positions of need. We're lucky-we really don't have many needs-but the ones we do have are glaring. Way too much 4-D Chess applied to making excuses instead of improvements.

[Idiosyncratic]

I’m not dim enough to think ORL isn’t a lot better when at full strength…it doesn’t mean we don’t have holes in our roster then too…they’re just more glaring and more pressing when we’re diminished. Why does everyone presume that any criticism (better wording…”opportunity for improvement”) is a thoughtless reaction to, specifically, the last game they played? Intelligent posters have been noting the same needs & opportunities for a couple of seasons or more. Our offense is bad…when at 100%- it’s less bad…I wish that the areas for my business (or whatever issues of the world) were so clearly visible and the opportunities to improve were so obvious.

Everyone knows we need shooting, even non-Magic fans. The reality is it probably isn't fixable in one trade deadline. Yes they could have made better moves in the past, but right now this is where we are.

The other question is what is worth giving up for players who are mostly rentals or have 1.5 years of control. Trading assets for short-term fixes likely lowers our overall championship odds believe it or not.

Everybody's contract ends at some point...everybody is a "rental" except a just born rookie (who we don't seem to expect anythiing for the first 3 years of paying them) Why are we so afraid of losing anybody good? Are we or are we not a good organization, a good community? a good competitive situation? a good locker room? Coach? tax-free state?

Rental is a cop-out...unless the guy is as delusional as Ingram. You can re-sign anyone you want to - at a price that is agreed to by both sides. You make moves with that in mind, maybe even discuss with agent (no guarantees of course, just like no guarantees that you'll earn another contract if you don't hit the shots you hit before you got here). Terrible inferiority complex here...LAL doesn't just gobble up every free agent in the league. Who's going to pay Jimmy Butler $50m+ next year? Nobody can and the one or two teams that can clear the space shouldn't.

Get good players at positions of need. We're lucky-we really don't have many needs-but the ones we do have are glaring. Way too much 4-D Chess applied to making excuses instead of improvements.

Re-signing a player is not guaranteed and especially for us when we are going to be somewhat limited by 3 huge contracts. We benefit more from acquiring players on good contracts. Not even to mention the new CBA, this isn't the same NBA as it has been.

If you can't see how trading future assets for a short-term fix for a young team that probably isn't ready to compete could possibly hurt us then IDK what to say. I get you want to trade for help, I'm not saying that is wrong, but there is absolutely a world where trading assets for help in non-title years could lower our chances in the future in some capacity. That's all I'm saying.

[three3d]

I’m sick and tired of the pass the DeVos Family continues to get around here. Weltman and Alex Martins are nothing but puppets, nothing more than a public face and a body to do the bidding of the people behind the curtain pulling strings and giving orders. It’s time to wake up and see what’s really going on and what the overall goals and motivation of this franchise are.

THIRTY SIX YEARS is a GODDAMN LONG TIME for a team to have been in existence and not win a Championship. THIRTY THREE YEARS of the DeVos Family owing this team is a GODDAMN LONG time to not deliver a Champion winning team. Where are the owners at right now? Why are they okay with what’s going on? They’re cashing those NBA checks and making money.

[Idiosyncratic]

Also I agree with getting good players, not seeing a ton of those available at this deadline.

[three3d]

Everyone knows we need shooting, even non-Magic fans. The reality is it probably isn't fixable in one trade deadline. Yes they could have made better moves in the past, but right now this is where we are.

The other question is what is worth giving up for players who are mostly rentals or have 1.5 years of control. Trading assets for short-term fixes likely lowers our overall championship odds believe it or not.

Everybody's contract ends at some point...everybody is a "rental" except a just born rookie (who we don't seem to expect anythiing for the first 3 years of paying them) Why are we so afraid of losing anybody good? Are we or are we not a good organization, a good community? a good competitive situation? a good locker room? Coach? tax-free state?

Rental is a cop-out...unless the guy is as delusional as Ingram. You can re-sign anyone you want to - at a price that is agreed to by both sides. You make moves with that in mind, maybe even discuss with agent (no guarantees of course, just like no guarantees that you'll earn another contract if you don't hit the shots you hit before you got here). Terrible inferiority complex here...LAL doesn't just gobble up every free agent in the league. Who's going to pay Jimmy Butler $50m+ next year? Nobody can and the one or two teams that can clear the space shouldn't.

Get good players at positions of need. We're lucky-we really don't have many needs-but the ones we do have are glaring. Way too much 4-D Chess applied to making excuses instead of improvements.

Re-signing a player is not guaranteed and especially for us when we are going to be somewhat limited by 3 huge contracts. We benefit more from acquiring players on good contracts. Not even to mention the new CBA, this isn't the same NBA as it has been.

If you can't see how trading future assets for a short-term fix for a young team that probably isn't ready to compete could possibly hurt us then IDK what to say. I get you want to trade for help, I'm not saying that is wrong, but there is absolutely a world where trading assets for help in non-title years could lower our chances in the future in some capacity. That's all I'm saying.

So we’re going to stay in this purgatory of not being bad enough for a high draft pick yet not good enough to win it all, while still needing to pay the two all stars we have , build a team around them with rookies in every draft while being afraid or not able to spend much money because we have to pay our guys so we can’t get proven guys via free agency. Sounds fun lol

[Idiosyncratic]

Everybody's contract ends at some point...everybody is a "rental" except a just born rookie (who we don't seem to expect anythiing for the first 3 years of paying them) Why are we so afraid of losing anybody good? Are we or are we not a good organization, a good community? a good competitive situation? a good locker room? Coach? tax-free state?

Rental is a cop-out...unless the guy is as delusional as Ingram. You can re-sign anyone you want to - at a price that is agreed to by both sides. You make moves with that in mind, maybe even discuss with agent (no guarantees of course, just like no guarantees that you'll earn another contract if you don't hit the shots you hit before you got here). Terrible inferiority complex here...LAL doesn't just gobble up every free agent in the league. Who's going to pay Jimmy Butler $50m+ next year? Nobody can and the one or two teams that can clear the space shouldn't.

Get good players at positions of need. We're lucky-we really don't have many needs-but the ones we do have are glaring. Way too much 4-D Chess applied to making excuses instead of improvements.

Re-signing a player is not guaranteed and especially for us when we are going to be somewhat limited by 3 huge contracts. We benefit more from acquiring players on good contracts. Not even to mention the new CBA, this isn't the same NBA as it has been.

If you can't see how trading future assets for a short-term fix for a young team that probably isn't ready to compete could possibly hurt us then IDK what to say. I get you want to trade for help, I'm not saying that is wrong, but there is absolutely a world where trading assets for help in non-title years could lower our chances in the future in some capacity. That's all I'm saying.

So we’re going to stay in this purgatory of not being bad enough for a high draft pick yet not good enough to win it all, while still needing to pay the two all stars we have , build a team around them with rookies in every draft while being afraid or not able to spend much money because we have to pay our guys so we can’t get proven guys via free agency. Sounds fun lol

Yes, that is what the people who don't want to trade for 1.5 years of Simons right now are saying. No trades ever. Mid to late 1sts can't become good players ever.

[Skybox]

Everyone knows we need shooting, even non-Magic fans. The reality is it probably isn't fixable in one trade deadline. Yes they could have made better moves in the past, but right now this is where we are.

The other question is what is worth giving up for players who are mostly rentals or have 1.5 years of control. Trading assets for short-term fixes likely lowers our overall championship odds believe it or not.

Everybody's contract ends at some point...everybody is a "rental" except a just born rookie (who we don't seem to expect anythiing for the first 3 years of paying them) Why are we so afraid of losing anybody good? Are we or are we not a good organization, a good community? a good competitive situation? a good locker room? Coach? tax-free state?

Rental is a cop-out...unless the guy is as delusional as Ingram. You can re-sign anyone you want to - at a price that is agreed to by both sides. You make moves with that in mind, maybe even discuss with agent (no guarantees of course, just like no guarantees that you'll earn another contract if you don't hit the shots you hit before you got here). Terrible inferiority complex here...LAL doesn't just gobble up every free agent in the league. Who's going to pay Jimmy Butler $50m+ next year? Nobody can and the one or two teams that can clear the space shouldn't.

Get good players at positions of need. We're lucky-we really don't have many needs-but the ones we do have are glaring. Way too much 4-D Chess applied to making excuses instead of improvements.

Re-signing a player is not guaranteed and especially for us when we are going to be somewhat limited by 3 huge contracts. We benefit more from acquiring players on good contracts. Not even to mention the new CBA, this isn't the same NBA as it has been.

If you can't see how trading future assets for a short-term fix for a young team that probably isn't ready to compete could possibly hurt us then IDK what to say. I get you want to trade for help, I'm not saying that is wrong, but there is absolutely a world where trading assets for help in non-title years could lower our chances in the future in some capacity. That's all I'm saying.

Nothing is guaranteed, of course...I'd take my chances on keeping guys that are doing well and fitting in over banking everything on "organic internal development" of skills that are not apparent in players that people are very hopefully projecting. Renting contributors, even if they walk, isn't the end of the world either...replace them with a similar option when the time comes-if you must. Be able to let fails walk is kind of a plus too. Good orgs don't manage their roster from fear or insecurity.

[Idiosyncratic]

Everybody's contract ends at some point...everybody is a "rental" except a just born rookie (who we don't seem to expect anythiing for the first 3 years of paying them) Why are we so afraid of losing anybody good? Are we or are we not a good organization, a good community? a good competitive situation? a good locker room? Coach? tax-free state?

Rental is a cop-out...unless the guy is as delusional as Ingram. You can re-sign anyone you want to - at a price that is agreed to by both sides. You make moves with that in mind, maybe even discuss with agent (no guarantees of course, just like no guarantees that you'll earn another contract if you don't hit the shots you hit before you got here). Terrible inferiority complex here...LAL doesn't just gobble up every free agent in the league. Who's going to pay Jimmy Butler $50m+ next year? Nobody can and the one or two teams that can clear the space shouldn't.

Get good players at positions of need. We're lucky-we really don't have many needs-but the ones we do have are glaring. Way too much 4-D Chess applied to making excuses instead of improvements.

Re-signing a player is not guaranteed and especially for us when we are going to be somewhat limited by 3 huge contracts. We benefit more from acquiring players on good contracts. Not even to mention the new CBA, this isn't the same NBA as it has been.

If you can't see how trading future assets for a short-term fix for a young team that probably isn't ready to compete could possibly hurt us then IDK what to say. I get you want to trade for help, I'm not saying that is wrong, but there is absolutely a world where trading assets for help in non-title years could lower our chances in the future in some capacity. That's all I'm saying.

Nothing is guaranteed, of course...I'd take my chances on keeping guys that are doing well and fitting in over banking everything on "organic internal development" of skills that are not apparent in players that people are very hopefully projecting. Renting contributors, even if they walk, isn't the end of the world either...replace them with a similar option when the time comes-if you must. Be able to let fails walk is kind of a plus too. Good orgs don't manage their roster from fear or insecurity.

I mean there are players I would be OK acquiring. It's a case by case situation.

It has nothing to do with fear. It's about trying to win a title and using the assets in the best manner possible. Trading 1sts now in unlikely contention years will likely lower our title odds. It might make for a temporarily more fun season, but the ultimate goal is title. Again there are still going to be players for whom it makes sense. This isn't a blanket statement. But one does have to understand this is not our likely timeline so any rash decisions could lower our chances when the likely timeline arrives.

[three3d]

In all honesty because of salary cap and second aprons it makes it feel like the only path to adding a difference maker on this team now is by the NBA Draft.

This will take a LOT of heat but if somehow you wound up being able to tank into a top 10 pick in this draft you’d have an extremely valuable asset. Everyone keeps talking about salary cap, you tank a season for a pick and hopefully don’t miss on it.

[Idiosyncratic]

In all honesty because of salary cap and second aprons it makes it feel like the only path to adding a difference maker on this team now is by the NBA Draft.

This will take a LOT of heat but if somehow you wound up being able to tank into a top 10 pick in this draft you’d have an extremely valuable asset. Everyone keeps talking about salary cap, you tank a season for a pick and hopefully don’t miss on it.

The draft is more valuable than it has ever been, but that also means there could be a way to exploit an undervalued trade market. I just don't see the guys available right now at the deadline.

Call around in the offseason they could find their Avdija trade. A really good player under contract for multiple years.

Also there may be a point where Paolo and Franz are looking really good and we are on the cusp of a title and you make a big trade for a 3rd star or near star and go into the 2nd apron for a year or 2.

Also maybe a player becomes available that is too good to pass up on and you go into the 2nd apron for. Ant Edwards could ask out one day? Who knows.

Everything is mostly predicated on Paolo and Franz continual improvment though. I just don't love trading future assets for temp help in their 3rd and 4th seasons. That's all. I could be wrong, but that's how I feel. And again there are some players I would be OK with. I am very for some form of a trade.