shi-woo wrote:Love this team, and think they are in a solid spot moving forward, and are the best collection of young talent outside of SAS and OKC. They are in the same spot as Minny right before they made the Gobert trade, and hopefully their front office goes in.
I'm obviously keeping the front office who has proven to draft well, and signed KCP and other solid vets. I'm also keeping Mosely, but he has one more year before I start looking around. I still don't know what he is as a coach yet. I think both the front office and coaching have done an impeccable job instilling a winning, try hard, culture down there in ORL, and you have to respect that. Getting Wagners brother, signing champions like KCP and Joseph, and strong mentors like Harris and Ingles last year. To be #2 in defense, and to still finish 41-41 with all those missed games, as a young team, that was very impressive.
I personally think Paolo is the real deal, and is looking like the 3rd star of his decade with Ant and Wemby. I also think Franz is getting way too much hate, and think Magic fans are going to constantly hear the same arguments that Celtic's fans heard for years over Tatum and Brown. Oddly enough, I actually like the Magic guys more at this point in their careers, and think people are bugging if they want to break these guys up before they reach their prime years of 26+. These are legit 1st and 2nd options.
Ilove what I saw from Black this year and was pleasantly surprised by his passing skills. He is a modern guy who can do it all, and his stroke looks solid. I loved De Silva during the draft process, and he showed why in the early parts of the season when Paolo was out. He is just a smooth wing player, who has a silky stroke and niice ball skills. He looks to be a solid 6th man type going forward.
I think this year while not meeting expectations, answered all the questions that the FO and fans needed answered going forward. Howard is not that good, and got replaced by TDS and Black in the rotation. Goga can play, but only in certain matchups. Cole is not a part of this team, and isn't good enough of a scorer to justify his role. Suggs is incredible on D, a better Smart essentially, but his hustle and effort means he's going to always be a dude on the IR.
This team desperately needs shooting, in the worst way, and think they are in a solid spot to go and get it. They have their picks, and they have a player at ever salary spot you would want to make a move. Goga at 8 mil, Cole at 12, Isaac at 25, and Suggs at 30. I don't want to make the mistake of going for it too early with my 22 year old stars, but this team should def go big game hunting, and if not make trades to improve in the margins.
Isaac- WCJ
Paolo
Franz- Desilva
Black
I'm all for that group next year, and everyone else im trying to trade. The dream scenario is obviously getting Booker in the aftermath of the KD trade. Combining Suggs, Howard, and picks to bring in a legit guard that can shoot is priority #1, and again, i'm overpaying like crazy if I need to. Bane, Booker, Herro, Melo, Reaves, ect are the main dudes i'm gunning for. If not there are oter packages you can entertain.
I've been beatin the drum on the Anfernee Simons trade for a while now, it just makes too much sense money wise and from a team perspective. Same with Colin Sexton, and I think Magic and Utah are trading partners made in heaven right now. MAgic could use and trade for all their vets and think Colins, Sexton, and Clarkson should all be discussed.
People weren't happy in the MIA Heat thread when I suggested Duncan and 15 for Cole filler and 20, but I like that type of trade as well.
Grayson Allen from the Suns for Cole and Howard seems like solid value, maybe throw in a 2nd
Goga swapped to the Lakers for Gabe Vincent.
There are so many moves to be made to improve this team, the front office just has to stay busy. Ideally, Magic will go into the year with a lineup that looks like:
WCJ- Mo- Isaac
Paolo
Franz- Black- De Silva
Suggs- Allen
Simons- Vincent
Win 50 games, and still have the firepower to pull off another huge move if necessary. Still Top 5 in defense and probably around 12th in offense. Mosely will be retained baed off how he does in the post season that year, and if let go, that's when i'm looking for my championship level coach.
KCP has been a disaster. Yes, they hit on Suggs/Paolo/Franz. all top-8 picks and teams do mess those up. Anthony has not been great, jury is out on Black, Jett is just bad, Chuma was a bad lottery pick, Bamba was a bad pick. with glaring needs at shooting and PG, the front office has failed their job. Also, this team never uses their 2nd round picks. always traded for a pick 10 years down the line. They also cant adjust during a draft, they come in with the player they want and if a talent slides for whatever reason, they dont know what to do. they never consider coming back into the 1st using the multitude of 2nd round picks and late 1st round picks they have picked up. They traded their 2nd round pick this year (Antonio Reeves) who played in 44 games and shot 40% from 3. LAst year, could have drafted GG JAckson. yes, you dont expect a 2nd round pick to be consistent player to make a squad, they are like a lottery pick. Take a swing and see what happens. This front office never takes that swing.
So imo, no, keep some scouts but the front office needs to be changed.
No one in their right mind thinks this team performed to expectations.
