Official 2024-2025 Magic Trade ideas thread continued

[Blue_and_Whte]

I hope that Anthony Parker, who played plenty of NBA, has watched this team healthy & not healthy and knows we have some major issues on the offensive side. Yes, we're a defense-first team and a damn good one when healthy. However, we could really use some offensive power and while it might take us from top 5 defensive team to a top 10 one, offensively when healthy we could get closer to middle of the pack.

Time is running out for them to sit still and not make a move. It doesn't and shouldn't be an all-in move, but we need to shuffle the deck a bit and hope for a better shoe to get some cash

I got you AP

23/24
Fully healthy
3pt% 30.3% (22nd)
ORTG: 113.4 (22nd)

24/25
Not fully healthy
3pt% 30.3% (30th)
ORTG: 103.4 (27th)

We suck at scoring and shooting. No need to stat nerd this ****… Get shooters / scorers.

[89Magicfan]

IMO it wasn’t Suggs vs Black. It was Suggs and Black. Listening to Weltman in the past he leaned towards position less basketball. Two guys who can handle and defend multiple positions.

Coming out Black was pinned as a Josh Giddy type who can defend. Perfect next to Suggs. Issue is while he’s a very intelligent player (which is good for development), he doesn’t seem quite the playmaker Giddy is.

I’d like for us when everyone is healthy to see more of Goga/Paolo/Franz/Suggs/Black and let that group develop together.

[Skybox]

IMO it wasn’t Suggs vs Black. It [b]was [/b]Suggs and Black. Listening to Weltman in the past he leaned towards position less basketball. Two guys who can handle and defend multiple positions.

Coming out Black was pinned as a Josh Giddy type who can defend. Perfect next to Suggs. Issue is while he’s a very intelligent player (which is good for development), he doesn’t seem quite the playmaker Giddy is.

I’d like for us when everyone is healthy to see more of Goga/Paolo/Franz/Suggs/Black and let that group develop together.

WAS is right…AB isn’t half the playmaker Giddey is. Giddey’s got other problems but AB hasn’t shown a fraction of the court vision of Giddey.

[89Magicfan]

IMO it wasn’t Suggs vs Black. It [b]was [/b]Suggs and Black. Listening to Weltman in the past he leaned towards position less basketball. Two guys who can handle and defend multiple positions.

Coming out Black was pinned as a Josh Giddy type who can defend. Perfect next to Suggs. Issue is while he’s a very intelligent player (which is good for development), he doesn’t seem quite the playmaker Giddy is.

I’d like for us when everyone is healthy to see more of Goga/Paolo/Franz/Suggs/Black and let that group develop together.

WAS is right…AB isn’t half the playmaker Giddey is. Giddey’s got other problems but AB hasn’t shown a fraction of the court vision of Giddey.

It’s still early. The difference is we are built differently and really don’t need AB to be Giddey. We are running our offense through Paolo and Franz. What AB has to do for this to work is continue to hit 3’s, improve there, stay aggressive and continue to develop. Franz might be our best playmaker and there’s stats to argue for this. Just need everyone healthy.

I would put KCP on the bench. When we’re full strength, run the lineup I mentioned and see what it does. There was a point that lineup was really damn good last year. I do believe we need another shooter somewhere though. A Monk type or even Simons if the deal is right.

[Skybox]

IMO it wasn’t Suggs vs Black. It [b]was [/b]Suggs and Black. Listening to Weltman in the past he leaned towards position less basketball. Two guys who can handle and defend multiple positions.

Coming out Black was pinned as a Josh Giddy type who can defend. Perfect next to Suggs. Issue is while he’s a very intelligent player (which is good for development), he doesn’t seem quite the playmaker Giddy is.

I’d like for us when everyone is healthy to see more of Goga/Paolo/Franz/Suggs/Black and let that group develop together.

WAS is right…AB isn’t half the playmaker Giddey is. Giddey’s got other problems but AB hasn’t shown a fraction of the court vision of Giddey.

It’s still early. The difference is we are built differently and really don’t need AB to be Giddey. We are running our offense through Paolo and Franz. What AB has to do for this to work is continue to hit 3’s, improve there, stay aggressive and continue to develop. Franz might be our best playmaker and there’s stats to argue for this. Just need everyone healthy.

I would put KCP on the bench. When we’re full strength, run the lineup I mentioned and see what it does. There was a point that lineup was really damn good last year. I do believe we need another shooter somewhere though. A Monk type or even Simons if the deal is right.

I agree with your post and AB's versatility makes him worth holding on to (for now)...but I don't see the "stay" and "continue" stuff.

More like "start taking 3's" and "begin to be aggressive" and "try to develop now"... A Monk, Simons, or Sexton would allow him to do his thing(s) and develop on his own schedule...sooner is better (same as now) but less of a drag on the team. He's not ready to be counted on and the team is too potentially good to be used as a developmental tool for a "maybe" in the midst of a legitimate playoff run...adding that offensive guard would allow AB to stay on the court as a defensive ace and add what he can when he can offensively. He could develop even more quickly without the microscope on him to orchestrate the second unit. Same for Suggs, in an inverse manner, Suggs' aggressiveness makes his offense wild and, usually, inefficient. Adding the right guy would take the pressure off of both AB and Suggs to try to force things they're not reliably good at. If Suggs or AB are feelin' the hot hand - fire away...same as Houstan but with a lot more to offer when it's not their shooting night.

[89Magicfan]

WAS is right…AB isn’t half the playmaker Giddey is. Giddey’s got other problems but AB hasn’t shown a fraction of the court vision of Giddey.

It’s still early. The difference is we are built differently and really don’t need AB to be Giddey. We are running our offense through Paolo and Franz. What AB has to do for this to work is continue to hit 3’s, improve there, stay aggressive and continue to develop. Franz might be our best playmaker and there’s stats to argue for this. Just need everyone healthy.

I would put KCP on the bench. When we’re full strength, run the lineup I mentioned and see what it does. There was a point that lineup was really damn good last year. I do believe we need another shooter somewhere though. A Monk type or even Simons if the deal is right.

I agree with your post and AB's versatility makes him worth holding on to (for now)...but I don't see the "stay" and "continue" stuff.

More like "start taking 3's" and "begin to be aggressive" and "try to develop now"... A Monk, Simons, or Sexton would allow him to do his thing(s) and develop on his own schedule...sooner is better (same as now) but less of a drag on the team. He's not ready to be counted on and the team is too potentially good to be used as a developmental tool for a "maybe" in the midst of a legitimate playoff run...adding that offensive guard would allow AB to stay on the court as a defensive ace and add what he can when he can offensively. He could develop even more quickly without the microscope on him to orchestrate the second unit. Same for Suggs, in an inverse manner, Suggs' aggressiveness makes his offense wild and, usually, inefficient. Adding the right guy would take the pressure off of both AB and Suggs to try to force things they're not reliably good at. If Suggs or AB are feelin' the hot hand - fire away...same as Houstan but with a lot more to offer when it's not their shooting night.

Oh if there’s a trade out there where we obtained a good starting PG who can do that (not Coby Whites etc) then yeah we need to do it but I think that’s a dream right now.


We are a super young team. We are in n development. Every one of our starters besides KCP is still developing to some extent.

I think AB with Goga/Paolo/Franz/Suggs is better for him and the team because you don’t need him to be your main playmaker. Just be the glue guy which I think he could be elite at.

[Skybox]

It’s still early. The difference is we are built differently and really don’t need AB to be Giddey. We are running our offense through Paolo and Franz. What AB has to do for this to work is continue to hit 3’s, improve there, stay aggressive and continue to develop. Franz might be our best playmaker and there’s stats to argue for this. Just need everyone healthy.

I would put KCP on the bench. When we’re full strength, run the lineup I mentioned and see what it does. There was a point that lineup was really damn good last year. I do believe we need another shooter somewhere though. A Monk type or even Simons if the deal is right.

I agree with your post and AB's versatility makes him worth holding on to (for now)...but I don't see the "stay" and "continue" stuff.

More like "start taking 3's" and "begin to be aggressive" and "try to develop now"... A Monk, Simons, or Sexton would allow him to do his thing(s) and develop on his own schedule...sooner is better (same as now) but less of a drag on the team. He's not ready to be counted on and the team is too potentially good to be used as a developmental tool for a "maybe" in the midst of a legitimate playoff run...adding that offensive guard would allow AB to stay on the court as a defensive ace and add what he can when he can offensively. He could develop even more quickly without the microscope on him to orchestrate the second unit. Same for Suggs, in an inverse manner, Suggs' aggressiveness makes his offense wild and, usually, inefficient. Adding the right guy would take the pressure off of both AB and Suggs to try to force things they're not reliably good at. If Suggs or AB are feelin' the hot hand - fire away...same as Houstan but with a lot more to offer when it's not their shooting night.

Oh if there’s a trade out there where we obtained a good starting PG who can do that (not Coby Whites etc) then yeah we need to do it but I think that’s a dream right now.


We are a super young team. We are in n development. Every one of our starters besides KCP is still developing to some extent.

I think AB with Goga/Paolo/Franz/Suggs is better for him and the team because you don’t need him to be your main playmaker. Just be the glue guy which I think he could be elite at.

I follow the logic but "More" would be better. I just don't think AB is that level of prospect to drag around and compensate for. I've been negative but I get that he is good and could be really good. But he also might not. I don't like a playoff team's starting lineup being used as a developmental tool. I kind of pitch a similar concept with pairing him with a scorer who can do a good amount of playmaking too, but in the second unit...as AB grows in confidence and ability, guys like Sexton, Simons, Coby, McCollum can gracefully move to more off-ball and still be effective...but, in the meantime, AB can D up, hit open shots, cut for layups, and do SOME playmaking. Having him dribble over half-court, with no pressure, then hand it to Franz or Paolo isn't developing anything.

[VFX]

I don’t think people understand this front office when I read this part of the forum.

Jeff Weltman hasn’t made a real trade since March 25th 2021.

They aren’t going to trade multiple players here to Portland for Simons and trash.

They aren’t going “all-in” for Fox with their core all under 23.

I would be ecstatic for just a starting level point guard that doesn’t turn the ball over and can run a pick and roll with our allstar.

Let’s start there…

[89Magicfan]

I agree with your post and AB's versatility makes him worth holding on to (for now)...but I don't see the "stay" and "continue" stuff.

More like "start taking 3's" and "begin to be aggressive" and "try to develop now"... A Monk, Simons, or Sexton would allow him to do his thing(s) and develop on his own schedule...sooner is better (same as now) but less of a drag on the team. He's not ready to be counted on and the team is too potentially good to be used as a developmental tool for a "maybe" in the midst of a legitimate playoff run...adding that offensive guard would allow AB to stay on the court as a defensive ace and add what he can when he can offensively. He could develop even more quickly without the microscope on him to orchestrate the second unit. Same for Suggs, in an inverse manner, Suggs' aggressiveness makes his offense wild and, usually, inefficient. Adding the right guy would take the pressure off of both AB and Suggs to try to force things they're not reliably good at. If Suggs or AB are feelin' the hot hand - fire away...same as Houstan but with a lot more to offer when it's not their shooting night.

Oh if there’s a trade out there where we obtained a good starting PG who can do that (not Coby Whites etc) then yeah we need to do it but I think that’s a dream right now.


We are a super young team. We are in n development. Every one of our starters besides KCP is still developing to some extent.

I think AB with Goga/Paolo/Franz/Suggs is better for him and the team because you don’t need him to be your main playmaker. Just be the glue guy which I think he could be elite at.

I follow the logic but "More" would be better. I just don't think AB is that level of prospect to drag around and compensate for. I've been negative but I get that he is good and could be really good. But he also might not. I don't like a playoff team's starting lineup being used as a developmental tool. I kind of pitch a similar concept with pairing him with a scorer who can do a good amount of playmaking too, but in the second unit...as AB grows in confidence and ability, guys like Sexton, Simons, Coby, McCollum can gracefully move to more off-ball and still be effective...but, in the meantime, AB can D up, hit open shots, cut for layups, and do SOME playmaking. Having him dribble over half-court, with no pressure, then hand it to Franz or Paolo isn't developing anything.

I mean what choice do you have? Every one of them is young as hell. Even Paolo is still learning. It is what it is.

In a perfect world you trade for a talented experienced PG who handles the ball, makes plays, hit the 3’s and defend to some extent but what’s the likelihood of that happening for us? For Cole and some first rounder? Probably not probable.

Next best thing imo is run Goga/Paolo/Franz/Suggs/AB let them get some continuity.

[Skybox]

Oh if there’s a trade out there where we obtained a good starting PG who can do that (not Coby Whites etc) then yeah we need to do it but I think that’s a dream right now.


We are a super young team. We are in n development. Every one of our starters besides KCP is still developing to some extent.

I think AB with Goga/Paolo/Franz/Suggs is better for him and the team because you don’t need him to be your main playmaker. Just be the glue guy which I think he could be elite at.

I follow the logic but "More" would be better. I just don't think AB is that level of prospect to drag around and compensate for. I've been negative but I get that he is good and could be really good. But he also might not. I don't like a playoff team's starting lineup being used as a developmental tool. I kind of pitch a similar concept with pairing him with a scorer who can do a good amount of playmaking too, but in the second unit...as AB grows in confidence and ability, guys like Sexton, Simons, Coby, McCollum can gracefully move to more off-ball and still be effective...but, in the meantime, AB can D up, hit open shots, cut for layups, and do SOME playmaking. Having him dribble over half-court, with no pressure, then hand it to Franz or Paolo isn't developing anything.

I mean what choice do you have? Every one of them is young as hell. Even Paolo is still learning. It is what it is.

In a perfect world you trade for a talented experienced PG who handles the ball predominantly and can hit the 3’s and defend to some extent but what’s the likelihood of that happening for us? For Cole and some first rounder? Probably not probable.

Next best thing imo is run Goga/Paolo/Franz/Suggs/AB let them get some continuity.

Paolo and Franz are absolutely still learning - but they're really good already. Both were on the fringe as All-Star starters, despite missing most of the young season - that's national relevance. AB isn't even deserving as 5th starter-so he shouldn't (unless there's some kind of Ginobli/6moy scheme behind him)...maybe AB's growth curve is more typical, but that's irrelevant to where we are.

[89Magicfan]

I follow the logic but "More" would be better. I just don't think AB is that level of prospect to drag around and compensate for. I've been negative but I get that he is good and could be really good. But he also might not. I don't like a playoff team's starting lineup being used as a developmental tool. I kind of pitch a similar concept with pairing him with a scorer who can do a good amount of playmaking too, but in the second unit...as AB grows in confidence and ability, guys like Sexton, Simons, Coby, McCollum can gracefully move to more off-ball and still be effective...but, in the meantime, AB can D up, hit open shots, cut for layups, and do SOME playmaking. Having him dribble over half-court, with no pressure, then hand it to Franz or Paolo isn't developing anything.

I mean what choice do you have? Every one of them is young as hell. Even Paolo is still learning. It is what it is.

In a perfect world you trade for a talented experienced PG who handles the ball predominantly and can hit the 3’s and defend to some extent but what’s the likelihood of that happening for us? For Cole and some first rounder? Probably not probable.

Next best thing imo is run Goga/Paolo/Franz/Suggs/AB let them get some continuity.

Paolo and Franz are absolutely still learning - but they're really good already. Both were on the fringe as All-Star starters, despite missing most of the young season - that's national relevance. AB isn't even deserving as 5th starter-so he shouldn't (unless there's some kind of Ginobli/6moy scheme behind him)...maybe AB's growth curve is more typical, but that's irrelevant to where we are.

My question to that is who is? Who’s the clear cut 5th starter that’s deserving of it? I don’t see one. Maybe at some point we make a trade for that guy, that PG we all want but until then, and realistically speaking, I think AB is just as deserving as anyone else including KCP.

There’s even history that shows that is was successful as it was a lineup that won what 10 straight?

[MartinsIzAfraud]

I don’t think people understand this front office when I read this part of the forum.

Jeff Weltman hasn’t made a real trade since March 25th 2021.

They aren’t going to trade multiple players here to Portland for Simons and trash.

They aren’t going “all-in” for Fox with their core all under 23.

I would be ecstatic for just a starting level point guard that doesn’t turn the ball over and can run a pick and roll with our allstar.

Let’s start there…

YIKES.. pray that Anthony Parker has seen enough.

[Magic_Johnny12]

I don’t think people understand this front office when I read this part of the forum.

Jeff Weltman hasn’t made a real trade since March 25th 2021.

They aren’t going to trade multiple players here to Portland for Simons and trash.

They aren’t going “all-in” for Fox with their core all under 23.

I would be ecstatic for just a starting level point guard that doesn’t turn the ball over and can run a pick and roll with our allstar.

Let’s start there…

This should be pinned somewhere for everyone suggesting trades to read first.

[Skybox]

I don’t think people understand this front office when I read this part of the forum.

Jeff Weltman hasn’t made a real trade since March 25th 2021.

They aren’t going to trade multiple players here to Portland for Simons and trash.

They aren’t going “all-in” for Fox with their core all under 23.

I would be ecstatic for just a starting level point guard that doesn’t turn the ball over and can run a pick and roll with our allstar.

Let’s start there…

This should be pinned somewhere for everyone suggesting trades to read first.

sure...as long as it's read as a criticism of the FO, not praise

I read it as "They're not proactive and certainly not bold...I'd settle for anything in the right direction"

[three3d]

I don’t think people understand this front office when I read this part of the forum.

Jeff Weltman hasn’t made a real trade since March 25th 2021.

They aren’t going to trade multiple players here to Portland for Simons and trash.

They aren’t going “all-in” for Fox with their core all under 23.

I would be ecstatic for just a starting level point guard that doesn’t turn the ball over and can run a pick and roll with our allstar.

Let’s start there…

This should be pinned somewhere for everyone suggesting trades to read first.

sure...as long as it's read as a criticism of the FO, not praise

I read it as "They're not proactive and certainly not bold...I'd settle for anything in the right direction"

Front office: “We’re currently evaluating which direction we want to take.”

[Magic_Johnny12]

I don’t think people understand this front office when I read this part of the forum.

Jeff Weltman hasn’t made a real trade since March 25th 2021.

They aren’t going to trade multiple players here to Portland for Simons and trash.

They aren’t going “all-in” for Fox with their core all under 23.

I would be ecstatic for just a starting level point guard that doesn’t turn the ball over and can run a pick and roll with our allstar.

Let’s start there…

This should be pinned somewhere for everyone suggesting trades to read first.

sure...as long as it's read as a criticism of the FO, not praise

I read it as "They're not proactive and certainly not bold...I'd settle for anything in the right direction"

Very fair.

I’m not proclaiming that it’s the correct way, however and unfortunately it is the way our front office normally operates (whether you agree with it or not).

Our FO operates in a “fake it until you make it” kinda mindset, however that only works for so long and eventually you actually need to prove you didn’t just luck out in the draft for sustainable *longterm success.

[eyriq]

The path of least resistance is also known as "the plan". If it feels like they are predictable it means their process is stable and the results they are evaluating are hitting or exceeding expectations.

With that said, what is the path of least resistance? I think a midseason trade is unlikely unless there is a strong market for Cole Anthony. An off-season trade is more likely as Cole will be an expiring and we will be able to shop WCJ, who has clearly been outplayed by Goga. I think the plan is to have Jett take over the 4th guard spot in the rotation, and TDS take over the 4th forward spot in the rotation.

Is Moritz the second big? What do they trade WCJ and Cole for, if they trade them? A WCJ/Cole trade would have reverberations throughout the rest of the rotation. They would likely yield rotation quality salaries. This would possibly push Jett and/or TDS out of the rotation. Not a terrible proposition, but not according to plan.

Also, trading WCJ is tricky. He's paid to be a team's 6-7 best player next season but that jumps into top 4-5 territory after that for several seasons. I can't imagine there is much of a market for him.

I think re-tooling this roster is very possible but it'll come at a premium. Things would have to be clearly broken for a re-tool to happen this off-season. I think that reasonably rules out a WCJ trade, while a Cole trade is very likely.

Under contract for multiple seasons of guaranteed money:

Guards: Suggs/KCP/AB/Cole/Jett
Forwards: Paolo/Franz/JI/TDS
Bigs: Goga/WCJ

Team options:

Guards: Harris/CoJo
Forwards: Caleb
Bigs: Moritz

Trade smoke:

Guards: Cole

[Idiosyncratic]

The path of least resistance is also known as "the plan". If it feels like they are predictable it means their process is stable and the results they are evaluating are hitting or exceeding expectations.

With that said, what is the path of least resistance? I think a midseason trade is unlikely unless there is a strong market for Cole Anthony. An off-season trade is more likely as Cole will be an expiring and we will be able to shop WCJ, who has clearly been outplayed by Goga. I think the plan is to have Jett take over the 4th guard spot in the rotation, and TDS take over the 4th forward spot in the rotation.

Is Moritz the second big? What do they trade WCJ and Cole for, if they trade them? A WCJ/Cole trade would have reverberations throughout the rest of the rotation. They would likely yield rotation quality salaries. This would possibly push Jett and/or TDS out of the rotation. Not a terrible proposition, but not according to plan.

Also, trading WCJ is tricky. He's paid to be a team's 6-7 best player next season but that jumps into top 4-5 territory after that for several seasons. I can't imagine there is much of a market for him.

I think re-tooling this roster is very possible but it'll come at a premium. Things would have to be clearly broken for a re-tool to happen this off-season. I think that reasonably rules out a WCJ trade, while a Cole trade is very likely.

Under contract for multiple seasons of guaranteed money:

Guards: Suggs/KCP/AB/Cole/Jett
Forwards: Paolo/Franz/JI/TDS
Bigs: Goga/WCJ

Team options:

Guards: Harris/CoJo
Forwards: Caleb
Bigs: Moritz

Trade smoke:

Guards: Cole

Is the consensus that they are definitely bringing Mo back? I feel personally there is no way they don't.

Wendell is really the only albatross on this team and I have hope that they should be able to find a bad contract swap for something they have more use for. I really don't want to use a pick to move him for a mediocre player. Cole expires after next year and Isaac's contract is descending with a potential out.

[eyriq]

Is the consensus that they are definitely bringing Mo back? I feel personally there is no way they don't.

Wendell is really the only albatross on this team and I have hope that they should be able to find a bad contract swap for something they have more use for. I really don't want to use a pick to move him for a mediocre player. Cole expires after next year and Isaac's contract is descending with a potential out.

I think the consensus is that they are bringing him back, but it doesn't quite check out imo. Why negotiate a team option but give long-term money to WCJ and Goga? I think one explanation is that they value Moritz but Moritz thinks he should be valued higher than than they are willing to commit to. This puts him in "prove it" mode. A severe injury lowers his value and hurt Moritz's cause.

What I think is most likely is that they waive him and try to negotiate a 3 year deal that is around a 3% cap hit, with a player option. I just don't think he's in their plans as a rotation big going forward. Something like 3yr/$15.3M of guaranteed money.

[RichCollab]

I would love to move Harris and his expiring contract with a 2025 1st pick.

Seems like two trade assets that should be moved.

If we can move Cole, sure do it but not sure I’m attaching an asset to get of his what 11 million next year?

Getting Sexton or Simons with a combo of the above would be excellent. If the FO believes it’s a lock we will keep them I’m ok adding another asset.

It would be nice to add a big for depth.

We really don’t need anything flashy at the trade deadline.