FIRE WELTMAN

[Fortune Teller]

One of the reasons Jeff Weltman and the entire Magic organization are so passive is that they receive zero pressure from the fans and media in Orlando. But we really are at a point where this man deserves a vote of no confidence from the people who are most passionate about the team. It doesn't have to do with one season or injuries -- he's been in charge for 8 years and the path he's chosen to build the team is his own. Meaning, it doesn't really matter how long he tanked or didn't tank, or when he decided to blow up the roster. The only relevant question is, do you believe this guy has what it takes to build a serious contender? An 8-year sample size is large enough to make a fair evaluation of that question.

He's been in charge since 2017. For a little perspective, Trump was early in his first presidency, and since then Biden was president for 4 years and now Trump is president again. But Jeff is still here.

The team's overall W-L record during that span is 250-360 (41%). It's extremely rare in professional sports to keep the same executive in charge for this long of a time with that overall record.

In his 8 years, the team has finished with a winning record twice.

He's had *SEVEN* top-11 draft picks over the past 8 years.

He's had ample cap space, and last summer had the most (or second-most) cap space in the league to sign free agents. That was supposed to be the summer of the big splash -- he re-signed a bunch of scrubs and signed KCP.

He hasn't made a trade in 4 years. In 2021 he traded Vucevic and Gordon but it didn't look like strategic roster building -- he was dumping all his best players to tank. The expectation when the Vuc trade was made was that the Bulls pick would be mid-first round. No one, including Jeff, thought it would be as high as #8. So he got a bit lucky with Franz, and of course Wendell is largely useless and currently overpaid. Aaron Gordon got us the incomparable Gary Harris and some scrub who was already released. Fournier got us literally nothing.

Since then no trades, culminating in what we already knew -- a report from Windhorst that Weltman doesn't even pick up the phone but will answer if you call him. Meaning Jeff lied to our faces when he claimed they were aggressive in the trade market but other teams were trying to "squeeze us".

The team has been near the bottom of the league in offense every single year he's been here, and now shoots at historically bad levels while scoring is up in the rest of the NBA. Yet he still doesn't even TRY to make a trade. Instead he feeds us the injury excuse as if we're too stupid to know that last year when the team was healthy they were still terrible at shooting, and the three players who have been injured -- Paolo, Franz, and Suggs -- are all below-average 3-point shooters anyway.

The team has no point guard and its star player specifically called out the need for a point guard last summer. What did Jeffrey do? Nothing, except sign KCP. See below for how that's working out.

The two highest-paid players on his roster make a combined $48 million. Here's what they are contributing this season:

Jonathan Isaac
$25 million
16.6 mpg
6.1 ppg
4.9 rpg
0.5 apg
41.8 FG%
26.6 3PT%

Kentavious Caldwell-Nope
$23 million
30.5 mpg
8.8 ppg
2.1 rpg
1.8 apg
41.2 FG%
31.4 3PT%

The Magic aren't going to fire Jeff Weltman -- but they should. As soon as the season is over.

[Skybox]

I approve this message

[pepe1991]

Even reddit fans turning on him.

That Brian Windhorst segment is brutal. How da f**** can you run nba team if you don't even ingage into conversation with others? You think somebody called Pelinka and asked to dump Luka? That MFer was filmed at Dallas coffe shop talking with Dallas Nico Harrison.

Where was Weltman last ? Golf court?

Who da hell gave all the power to a guy who's only job was taking care of Raptors bench in first place? He pushed Hammond to retire and now we have "GM" that most people forgot even exsited and who is doing his first nba job as executive.

It's borderline crazy situation.
41% win rate since he took over 7 years ago.

Get him off before off season, i don't want this tool to resign Corey Joseph " on friendly" 4 years $60M contract because we are "family" .

[rcklsscognition]

I’m in and only because we need to hold these people accountable as serious fans. We need to act like we expect to win and anything less needs to be examined and the root causes found out and removed.

This guy took years and millions of dollars to watch Hennigan’s team develop then took years and millions to watch whatever this crap is we have right now. Uses every excuse and cliche in the book to justify not taking any risks.

So long.

[VFX]

Co-sign

It’s kind of wild to be the GM and make no trades.

How could having that reputation help this organization? It’s literally half the player acquisition process of a small market team. The other half is drafting.

People thought I was being ridiculous and reactionary when I say that Weltman doesn’t make trades. Windhorst confirms this as someone with insider information (not that we needed it).

This season is a complete wash and that’s on the FO.

[3ddman23]

It is time, but unfortunately it won't happen with this ownership. Unless the bottom completely falls out (which we just are 100% there yet). Aside from his decent drafting (picking Paolo & Franz of course) and not handing out outlandish contracts (some couple argue the kcp deal is looking like that) he hasn't done anything that anyone of us on here couldn't do for the last 8 years. It really is a malpractice how complacent he has been on making moves to improve this team and I'm over it.

Nobody cares about the magic in the media, so there will never been any pressure on them unless they actually become a legit championship contender like in the shaq & Dwight years. Orlando as a city barely cares about the magic so that plays another part. It's the perfect Strom to sit around and do nothing for 10 years and then get fired and say "oo well I tried".

[GelbeWand09]

Would have fired him after his first offseason, before his first season, for the sole reason of having to evaluate that Vuc team.

[fendilim]

After a successful year last year, I doubt we fire him this year. Maybe next year. He’ll definitely be on hot seat after this season.

[three3d]

https://www.statista.com/statistics/196759/revenue-of-the-orlando-magic-since-2006/

$285 MILLION reasons why the DeVos family is cool with the way things are.

[CarraT]

Better late than never! FIRE WELTMAN!

[eyriq]

I disagree, I'm still confident in him. I think the angst against Weltman is delusional. It just shows an undisciplined and emotional approach to thinking about Weltman's performance. His decision to blow it up was the correct one. His decision to draft Paolo Franz and Suggs were the correct ones. His decision to hire Mosely was the correct one. His philosophy dictates his strategy and explains his organic approach to building the team. It's the same playbook that Presti uses and everyone loves Presti.

There's no point in accelerating the build when Paolo and Franz and Suggs are not a contending core. They are still developing.

Injuries have set back the growth in our win rate. The past few seasons though we've seen tremendous increases in wins season over season.

You can nitpick about his extensions, you can cry about his passivity, but all the opportunities he's missed or the decisions he's made that you disagree with are at the margins and don't impact the long-term trajectory of the team.

I don't even think his seat is mildly warm.

[Jiwol]

I disagree, I'm still confident in him. I think the angst against Weltman is delusional. It just shows an undisciplined and emotional approach to thinking about Weltman's performance. His decision to blow it up was the correct one. His decision to draft Paolo Franz and Suggs were the correct ones. His decision to hire Mosely was the correct one. His philosophy dictates his strategy and explains his organic approach to building the team. It's the same playbook that Presti uses and everyone loves Presti.

There's no point in accelerating the build when Paolo and Franz and Suggs are not a contending core. They are still developing.

Injuries have set back the growth in our win rate. The past few seasons though we've seen tremendous increases in wins season over season.

You can nitpick about his extensions, you can cry about his passivity, but all the opportunities he's missed or the decisions he's made that you disagree with are at the margins and don't impact the long-term trajectory of the team.

I don't even think his seat is mildly warm.

We know you wrote it for one and only purpose - the new management would trade AB as soon as they get a company mobile

[three3d]

I disagree, I'm still confident in him. I think the angst against Weltman is delusional. It just shows an undisciplined and emotional approach to thinking about Weltman's performance. His decision to blow it up was the correct one. His decision to draft Paolo Franz and Suggs were the correct ones. His decision to hire Mosely was the correct one. His philosophy dictates his strategy and explains his organic approach to building the team. It's the same playbook that Presti uses and everyone loves Presti.

There's no point in accelerating the build when Paolo and Franz and Suggs are not a contending core. They are still developing.

Injuries have set back the growth in our win rate. The past few seasons though we've seen tremendous increases in wins season over season.

You can nitpick about his extensions, you can cry about his passivity, but all the opportunities he's missed or the decisions he's made that you disagree with are at the margins and don't impact the long-term trajectory of the team.

I don't even think his seat is mildly warm.

Eyriq = Jeff Weltman’s burner account

[eyriq]

We know you wrote it for one and only purpose - the new management would trade AB as soon as they get a company mobile

We must protect AB at all costs!

[three3d]

I disagree, I'm still confident in him. I think the angst against Weltman is delusional. It just shows an undisciplined and emotional approach to thinking about Weltman's performance. His decision to blow it up was the correct one. His decision to draft Paolo Franz and Suggs were the correct ones. His decision to hire Mosely was the correct one. His philosophy dictates his strategy and explains his organic approach to building the team. It's the same playbook that Presti uses and everyone loves Presti.

There's no point in accelerating the build when Paolo and Franz and Suggs are not a contending core. They are still developing.

Injuries have set back the growth in our win rate. The past few seasons though we've seen tremendous increases in wins season over season.

You can nitpick about his extensions, you can cry about his passivity, but all the opportunities he's missed or the decisions he's made that you disagree with are at the margins and don't impact the long-term trajectory of the team.

I don't even think his seat is mildly warm.

JOSH ROBBINS:
“It looks to me the team does not have enough shooting to be competitive. The team was 28th in 3-point shooting last season. It doesn’t seem the team added players with strong track records as shooters. Is shooting a concern?”

WELTMAN:
“We have a bunch of concerns, areas where we can improve on the court and off the court. But I would counter that (statement of yours). I can think of one shooter that we didn’t have last year: Terrence Ross (who was injured most of the season). I really think it’s hard to make broad statements about our team when we were just so banged-up last year.”

Buddy when this is a direct question AND answer from 2018 AND STILL IS A MAIN PROBLEM TODAY IN 2025 something is wrong .

[eyriq]

Eyriq = Jeff Weltman’s burner account

It would be hypocritical of me to trash Weltman when he's operating from the playbook that I think is the correct one. Do I think he's a little too patient with his plans? I do. Do I think he's too loyal with his extensions? I do. Do I think these details impact the long-term trajectory of this team? I don't.

[eyriq]

I disagree, I'm still confident in him. I think the angst against Weltman is delusional. It just shows an undisciplined and emotional approach to thinking about Weltman's performance. His decision to blow it up was the correct one. His decision to draft Paolo Franz and Suggs were the correct ones. His decision to hire Mosely was the correct one. His philosophy dictates his strategy and explains his organic approach to building the team. It's the same playbook that Presti uses and everyone loves Presti.

There's no point in accelerating the build when Paolo and Franz and Suggs are not a contending core. They are still developing.

Injuries have set back the growth in our win rate. The past few seasons though we've seen tremendous increases in wins season over season.

You can nitpick about his extensions, you can cry about his passivity, but all the opportunities he's missed or the decisions he's made that you disagree with are at the margins and don't impact the long-term trajectory of the team.

I don't even think his seat is mildly warm.

JOSH ROBBINS:
“It looks to me the team does not have enough shooting to be competitive. The team was 28th in 3-point shooting last season. It doesn’t seem the team added players with strong track records as shooters. Is shooting a concern?”

WELTMAN:
“We have a bunch of concerns, areas where we can improve on the court and off the court. But I would counter that (statement of yours). I can think of one shooter that we didn’t have last year: Terrence Ross (who was injured most of the season). I really think it’s hard to make broad statements about our team when we were just so banged-up last year.”

Buddy when this is a direct question AND answer from 2018 AND STILL IS A MAIN PROBLEM TODAY IN 2025 something is wrong .

He has a philosophy where you can teach shooting and solve the problem through player development. He's actually right you can it's a teachable skill. We're a young and developing team that's been primarily drafting for versatility and defensive upside and leaning on player development for improvement in shooting. That's the strategy for building this team and there's nothing wrong with it.

[three3d]

I disagree, I'm still confident in him. I think the angst against Weltman is delusional. It just shows an undisciplined and emotional approach to thinking about Weltman's performance. His decision to blow it up was the correct one. His decision to draft Paolo Franz and Suggs were the correct ones. His decision to hire Mosely was the correct one. His philosophy dictates his strategy and explains his organic approach to building the team. It's the same playbook that Presti uses and everyone loves Presti.

There's no point in accelerating the build when Paolo and Franz and Suggs are not a contending core. They are still developing.

Injuries have set back the growth in our win rate. The past few seasons though we've seen tremendous increases in wins season over season.

You can nitpick about his extensions, you can cry about his passivity, but all the opportunities he's missed or the decisions he's made that you disagree with are at the margins and don't impact the long-term trajectory of the team.

I don't even think his seat is mildly warm.

JOSH ROBBINS:
“It looks to me the team does not have enough shooting to be competitive. The team was 28th in 3-point shooting last season. It doesn’t seem the team added players with strong track records as shooters. Is shooting a concern?”

WELTMAN:
“We have a bunch of concerns, areas where we can improve on the court and off the court. But I would counter that (statement of yours). I can think of one shooter that we didn’t have last year: Terrence Ross (who was injured most of the season). I really think it’s hard to make broad statements about our team when we were just so banged-up last year.”

Buddy when this is a direct question AND answer from 2018 AND STILL IS A MAIN PROBLEM TODAY IN 2025 something is wrong .

He has a philosophy where you can teach shooting and solve the problem through player development. He's actually right you can it's a teachable skill. We're a young and developing team that's been primarily drafting for versatility and defensive upside and leaning on player development for improvement in shooting. That's the strategy for building this team and there's nothing wrong with it.

Fultz, Michael Carter Williams, and Elfred Payton disagree with that you can teach shooting idea

[jezzerinho]

Some us have been warning you about Weltman for years.

The NBA is a club you definitely don't want to leave or get kicked out of. So you should play by its code. Your club repnshouldnbe someone who gets on with other club reps.
Sure you're competing with each other for resources and on the court, but it's an ecosystem in which you have to cooperate to a degree to thrive.

Weltman has to go around playing the smartest guy in the room. He has to zig when others zag. He has to insist on secrecy, caution and radionsilence while the rest of the boys are talking and getting work done.

He doesn't fit the NBA. He doesn't have the respect of the club, despite his modestly good drafting success, because he has to be the smartest guy in the room.

[Black and Blue]

I do think Weltman is going to see his hand forced in a big way this offseason, and if he fails to comply he is going to be told they are not renewing his contract. It is ultimately up to him how stubborn he wants to be, and the team won't allow Paolo to get disgruntled and leave. As absentee as the Devos family is, they know their franchise history.

The bottom line is Paolo is due for a deal, and improving the team via free agency will likely be used as leverage by Miller and Paolo. Windhorst (of all people) may have done us a HUGE solid in reporting what he did about Weltman's inactivity because it finally ripped the veneer off of the one-sided messaging we have been getting.

I've been saying for years the team needed to make some moves to improve and it appears that time is now likely going to come this summer. Something is going to give.