FIRE WELTMAN

[Skin]

Interviewer tells Paolo in his exit interview, who is now heading into his 4th season.... "Weltman said he's in win now mode now."

You can't make this up NOW we're in win now mode? More like GET FIRED MODE! TOO LATE BUDDY BOY!!!! You have no moves left and admitting that for the last 7 years you have NOT been in win now mode is intolerable.

It's the natural progression of a rebuild.

That's the problem. There's no natural progression to a championship. You don't just let it come to you.

[eyriq]

Interviewer tells Paolo in his exit interview, who is now heading into his 4th season.... "Weltman said he's in win now mode now."

You can't make this up NOW we're in win now mode? More like GET FIRED MODE! TOO LATE BUDDY BOY!!!! You have no moves left and admitting that for the last 7 years you have NOT been in win now mode is intolerable.

It's the natural progression of a rebuild.

That's the problem. There's no natural progression to a championship. You don't just let it come to you.

Paolo and Franz are 22 and 23. There's a natural progression determined by father time.

[Skin]

It's the natural progression of a rebuild.

That's the problem. There's no natural progression to a championship. You don't just let it come to you.

Paolo and Franz are 22 and 23. There's a natural progression determined by father time.

Oh you were talking about age. Apologies.

[eyriq]

That's the problem. There's no natural progression to a championship. You don't just let it come to you.

Paolo and Franz are 22 and 23. There's a natural progression determined by father time.

Oh you were talking about age. Apologies.

Well I think it's connected to Weltman's timing of the pivot. It's one of the fundamental factors in why rebuilds have timelines in the first place. You can focus on future value while your best players are on their rookie scale contracts, and pivot when they aren't.

[Skin]

Paolo and Franz are 22 and 23. There's a natural progression determined by father time.

Oh you were talking about age. Apologies.

Well I think it's connected to Weltman's timing of the pivot. It's one of the fundamental factors in why rebuilds have timelines in the first place. You can focus on future value while your best players are on their rookie scale contracts, and pivot when they aren't.

Do you feel like we're in a good position to "pivot" now?

[eyriq]

Oh you were talking about age. Apologies.

Well I think it's connected to Weltman's timing of the pivot. It's one of the fundamental factors in why rebuilds have timelines in the first place. You can focus on future value while your best players are on their rookie scale contracts, and pivot when they aren't.

Do you feel like we're in a good position to "pivot" now?

I do, primarily because many of our contracts are declining in value and we control all our draft equity, and because the players themselves have value as defenders.

[VFX]

Well I think it's connected to Weltman's timing of the pivot. It's one of the fundamental factors in why rebuilds have timelines in the first place. You can focus on future value while your best players are on their rookie scale contracts, and pivot when they aren't.

Do you feel like we're in a good position to "pivot" now?

I do, primarily because many of our contracts are declining in value and we control all our draft equity, and because the players themselves have value as defenders.

Not to keep beating this drum, but Weltman now must pull a rabbit out of a hat.

He has to both address the concerns he discussed today in the interview and he has to do it under the premise that he cannot take back more money that he currently has locked up between 2025-26 and 2026-27. Prior and after paying Paolo.

This is just a fact. It’s pointless to acquire a guy for one season just to be searching for long term answers a year or two later.

That’s a tall task. Why? Because it means he is limited to specific trades and the outgoing value will likely require picks + youth to balance those trades out. Teams aren’t giving Orlando starting level difference makers for our fringe garbage contracts like Isaac and Cole. It will require multiple moves to simultaneously balance the budget.

So yeah, Orlando owns its 14-20 draft range picks for the next few seasons. Weltman saying that he’s in “win now” mode (lmfao) means a majority of those picks will probably be moved because he’s squandered value if he plans to upgrade spots in the starting lineup.

He isn’t addressing those obvious concerns in the draft or now free agency.

[Skybox]

Interviewer tells Paolo in his exit interview, who is now heading into his 4th season.... "Weltman said he's in win now mode now."

You can't make this up NOW we're in win now mode? More like GET FIRED MODE! TOO LATE BUDDY BOY!!!! You have no moves left and admitting that for the last 7 years you have NOT been in win now mode is intolerable.

It's the natural progression of a rebuild.

We'll see what action he takes this summer...nothing natural to me about "do nothing, do nothing, mastermind a summer with more cap space than anyone-and do nothing, then (drum roll) ...DO EVERYTHING all at once"

Sounds great to me, but I don't see it. You know I'm down for a five trade summer, but I'm not holding my breath.

[Skybox]

Weltman finally woke up from his coma and will now try to overhaul 50% of the roster in one off season to try to keep his job lmao.

Our ownership obviously doesn’t trust Weltman enough to the point of giving him an extension prematurely so if I were them I would simply cut ties before he does something that will haunt us for the next couple of decades (trading Oladipo and Sabonis for Terrence Ross and Anžejs Pasečņiks ).

Fire Weltman, keep Parker. Hire Bob Myers and tell him to build a championship team.

Why Bob Myers?

I get Myers...but what did Parker ever do to earn this kind of protection from a FO sweep?

[BadMofoPimp]

I just hope Weltman doesn 't panic and pull a Henny trade.

[Skin]

Well I think it's connected to Weltman's timing of the pivot. It's one of the fundamental factors in why rebuilds have timelines in the first place. You can focus on future value while your best players are on their rookie scale contracts, and pivot when they aren't.

Do you feel like we're in a good position to "pivot" now?

I do, primarily because many of our contracts are declining in value and we control all our draft equity, and because the players themselves have value as defenders.

None of those guys with declining contracts hold good trade value. All of our draft equity lies outside of the lottery. Our defenders (do we really have those??) are the guys we are trying to pivot from but we expect other teams to pivot too?

[zaymon]

Interviewer tells Paolo in his exit interview, who is now heading into his 4th season.... "Weltman said he's in win now mode now."

You can't make this up NOW we're in win now mode? More like GET FIRED MODE! TOO LATE BUDDY BOY!!!! You have no moves left and admitting that for the last 7 years you have NOT been in win now mode is intolerable.

It's the natural progression of a rebuild.

We'll see what action he takes this summer...nothing natural to me about "do nothing, do nothing, mastermind a summer with more cap space than anyone-and do nothing, then (drum roll) ...DO EVERYTHING all at once"

Sounds great to me, but I don't see it. You know I'm down for a five trade summer, but I'm not holding my breath.

This is how best teams operate most of the time. You accumulate assets and use it when you want to open your window. Use it too early and you will end up not good enough, without assets and without option to maneuver.
The critique of Celtics early was that they didnt make moves. The critique of OKC was that they accumulate assets for too long and tank seasons when SGA is ready to win. Sounds familiar ?

[drsd]

Well I think it's connected to Weltman's timing of the pivot.

I am still in shock that PBO Weltman telegraphed to the media and the public EXACTLY what his off-season plans are. There must be a strategy in that. Not sure what it is. But he does NOTHING in the media by accident.

[Rainwater]

Interviewer tells Paolo in his exit interview, who is now heading into his 4th season.... "Weltman said he's in win now mode now."

You can't make this up NOW we're in win now mode? More like GET FIRED MODE! TOO LATE BUDDY BOY!!!! You have no moves left and admitting that for the last 7 years you have NOT been in win now mode is intolerable.

It's the natural progression of a rebuild.

That's the problem. There's no natural progression to a championship. You don't just let it come to you.

If you are building with young guys, there is a natural progression. You are not contending for titles when your best players are 22 and 23. Must guys aren't winning titles until sometime in their mid to late 20s. There is a slow progression to these things.

Lebron's first title came at the age of 27 in his 9th season in the league.
Curry's first tittle came at the age of 27 in his 6th season in the league.
Durant's first tittle came at the age of 28 in his 10th season in the league.
Michael's first title came at the age of 27 in his 7th season in the league.
Giannis's first title came at the age of 27 in his 8th season in the league.
Joker's first title came at the age of 27 in his 8th season in the league.
Tatum's first title came at the age of 25 in his 7th season in the league.

Unless you are Kobe and had a vet in Shaq, Duncan and you a vet in D. Robinson, and Magic and you had a vet in Karreem, young guys don't typically win in their 3rd and 4th years.

[Rainwater]

It's the natural progression of a rebuild.

We'll see what action he takes this summer...nothing natural to me about "do nothing, do nothing, mastermind a summer with more cap space than anyone-and do nothing, then (drum roll) ...DO EVERYTHING all at once"

Sounds great to me, but I don't see it. You know I'm down for a five trade summer, but I'm not holding my breath.

This is how best teams operate most of the time. You accumulate assets and use it when you want to open your window. Use it too early and you will end up not good enough, without assets and without option to maneuver.
The critique of Celtics early was that they didnt make moves. The critique of OKC was that they accumulate assets for too long and tank seasons when SGA is ready to win. Sounds familiar ?

I really think people have been spoiled by the magic's early success. If Paolo and Franz were 28, 29 and Weltman's had made that comment I would be asking for his head but at 22 and 23 that only makes sense.

[Rainwater]

Weltman finally woke up from his coma and will now try to overhaul 50% of the roster in one off season to try to keep his job lmao.

Our ownership obviously doesn’t trust Weltman enough to the point of giving him an extension prematurely so if I were them I would simply cut ties before he does something that will haunt us for the next couple of decades (trading Oladipo and Sabonis for Terrence Ross and Anžejs Pasečņiks ).

Fire Weltman, keep Parker. Hire Bob Myers and tell him to build a championship team.

Why are people still crying over this Victor trade? Victor accomplished nothing in Orlando hence him being traded and pretty much had 1 statically great season. He had to get traded a second time and learn from Westbrook how to be a star for a season, lol. And Sabonis is a third option on a good team and is vastly overrated.

[pepe1991]

It's the natural progression of a rebuild.

We'll see what action he takes this summer...nothing natural to me about "do nothing, do nothing, mastermind a summer with more cap space than anyone-and do nothing, then (drum roll) ...DO EVERYTHING all at once"

Sounds great to me, but I don't see it. You know I'm down for a five trade summer, but I'm not holding my breath.

This is how best teams operate most of the time. You accumulate assets and use it when you want to open your window. Use it too early and you will end up not good enough, without assets and without option to maneuver.
The critique of Celtics early was that they didnt make moves. The critique of OKC was that they accumulate assets for too long and tank seasons when SGA is ready to win. Sounds familiar ?

Presti had boat of assets that were attractive for other teams. He still has.

OKC only sucked for two years, they went from 48-28 record to 40-42 record in span of 4 seasons. By the time they were already good, they would have been much better if Chet's leg didn't blew up during summer, as he missed entire rookie year.

OKC even today has Heat's first round pick without protection, in theory they can get Flagg and win championship in same season.
They also have Clippers pick, 76ers first round pick if it falls from top 6, they have Jazz top 8 protected pick for 2026, Nuggets top 5 protected pick in 2027, draft pick swap with Dallas in 2028, Nuggets top 5 protected pick in 2029 etc. It's borderline crazy how many assets they still have.

They can literally box Nuggets into a corner and ask for Jokić trade just to give them picks back so Nuggets can start rebuild before 2030 in same season when they make a play for Giannis. If they want to get crazy they can create biggest superteam nba has ever seen with amount of assets they possess.
Salary cap hell? Sure, but ultimate goal is to win championship(s), not build 6 years of contending team that might get lucky and wins once.

Because of aprons & repetitive luxury tax every team only has 5-6 years championship window regardless before salary situation forces them in sellout.


But that's not point about Weltman. Point is, after not doing single trade for 4 years, after refusing to call other teams, Weltman is now in position where he needs to make several trades. Only type of trades he did in past 8 years were sellout trades and minor transactions.

Aside from Vučević trade, he pretty much lost all trades he did.
Vučević for Carter, 8th pick ( Franz) and Jett Howard.
Aaron Gordon for corpses of Gary Harris, RJ Hampton and 25th pick.
Evan Fournier for nothing.
Markelle Fultz trade- loss

Bol Bol, Mo Bamba, Fultz all held until their value was zero. Now it's same situation with Jett Howard.
Holding onto Nuggets pick for 2 years despite fact we knew that pick has more value year in advance than in year it will manifest because "mystery box" syndrome and lure of potential that can be everything ( but most likely nothing ).

Afer 8 years we know what Weltman's biggest problem is. Reactive, inert and slow decision making.


After last 5 years of throwing smokescreens, pretending he has some grand masterplan (Jabari Smith parade ) , ignoring phone calls from other FOs, pretending this whole tight lipped strategy will gain him some mystique his "masterplan" is exposed.
Basically every single serious nba mind can see through Magic roster and see from a mile away how unbalanced and poorly constructed roster is.

Now good luck finding trade partners after thinking you are smartest kid in a room, after teacher told other kids you are just autistic weirdo.

[GelbeWand09]

We'll see what action he takes this summer...nothing natural to me about "do nothing, do nothing, mastermind a summer with more cap space than anyone-and do nothing, then (drum roll) ...DO EVERYTHING all at once"

Sounds great to me, but I don't see it. You know I'm down for a five trade summer, but I'm not holding my breath.

This is how best teams operate most of the time. You accumulate assets and use it when you want to open your window. Use it too early and you will end up not good enough, without assets and without option to maneuver.
The critique of Celtics early was that they didnt make moves. The critique of OKC was that they accumulate assets for too long and tank seasons when SGA is ready to win. Sounds familiar ?

I really think people have been spoiled by the magic's early success. If Paolo and Franz were 28, 29 and Weltman's had made that comment I would be asking for his head but at 22 and 23 that only makes sense.

Sorry, that's way too much black and white thinking. There's a big difference between going all in win now trades and doing nothing for 3-4 years while creating one of the most unbalanced and offensively incompetent squads of the last 20 years. There is something in between these extremes. Even if you don't have championship goals, you don't have to be the only team to play without a real PG for years. Without ball handling or passing in the backcourt. Even without championship ambitions, you don't have to ignore that you are one (or the worst) of the worst 3-point teams in the league for years. Even without championship ambitions, you don't have to give your 2 young stars the most unsuitable squad for their abilities that you can think of. Even without championship ambitions, no one is stopping you from bringing real NBA talent into your squad.
He didnt accumulated assets because he built a roster of fringe NBA players around some top heavy talent and than waited til they lost the little value they had or resigned them despite the glaring needs of different skill sets.
To ignore all that and act like it's normal to be the only GM in the league to do nothing for 3-4 years and then try to solve everything at once when your cap situation is already maxed out is pretty naive.

[Skybox]

It's the natural progression of a rebuild.

We'll see what action he takes this summer...nothing natural to me about "do nothing, do nothing, mastermind a summer with more cap space than anyone-and do nothing, then (drum roll) ...DO EVERYTHING all at once"

Sounds great to me, but I don't see it. You know I'm down for a five trade summer, but I'm not holding my breath.

This is how best teams operate most of the time. You accumulate assets and use it when you want to open your window. Use it too early and you will end up not good enough, without assets and without option to maneuver.
The critique of Celtics early was that they didnt make moves. The critique of OKC was that they accumulate assets for too long and tank seasons when SGA is ready to win. Sounds familiar ?

No…not in the least. Weltman hasn’t “accumulated assets” he’s clinging to and re-upping depreciating junk. WCJ pre-extension would have been a valuable asset, for example. The only pieces that might have individual trade value are picks, Suggs, AB, TdS, maybe Moe, and they’re all blasphemous to discuss moving. Plus, we’re good enough that even the picks are deeply discounted.

He will fail grandly or he will pay up with picks or a core talent…nobody is chasing our “available” guys- he will have to make the calls and ante up picks to sell mediocre, overpaid (or both) players.

This whole “teams know we’re desperate “ thing is the weakest, dumbest, most obvious statement of cluelessness a GM could utter. The whole concept of negotiating a deal is relative goals and strengths…you’re not being bullied, moron.

[Fortune Teller]

“I would like to announce that I am now pivoting to win-now mode!” — General Custer at Little Big Horn