Official 2025 Offseason Thread

[basketballRob]

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[Skybox]

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Perk, as always...no time for homework, just stupid hot takes

They're right about Paolo...imagine what he could do if he can work off a scoring guard? (or two if Suggs' shooting was real)

I just want to see him cut and finish easy baskets like Siakim a few times per game...I'm not for banning iso, just not relying on it 100% of the time.

[RichCollab]

How do we fix the offense without a coaching change.

Roster construction can be fixed by trading players but that seems like just half of it.

[Skybox]

How do we fix the offense without a coaching change.

Roster construction can be fixed by trading players but that seems like just half of it.

I like the addition of a Lead Assistant with a real offensively creative mind...it wouldn't have to be a threat to Mosley - they never did replace the Lead Assistant who left for the WNBA (I think). Like a young Nick Nurse type who's a great basketball mind, but not yet on every team's hiring radar.

I'm not supportive of some former Head Coach who might be looking for his next HC job and be a constant source of "successor in waiting" rumors...but, I'd welcome something like the Clippers - where Jeff Van Gundy is in some sort of "advisory" role, he's not running practices or bench coaching but his wisdom and insights and critiques are available, privately, to the HC.

I also think Ingles as a hands-on Assistant would be great...just to impart his insights in real time, like he did as a player. You'd see him routinely pull Cole aside as he came off the floor and give him some kind of friendly correction or encouragement. Plus his personality is so great - he'd keep the room light and could follow up team meetings with additional individualized thoughts shared with players. He's got that credibility and great delivery- It's a shame he can't get on the floor, but I think he's not a "young" 37. Rumor was that his family loved living in ORL too.

[89Magicfan]

How do we fix the offense without a coaching change.

Roster construction can be fixed by trading players but that seems like just half of it.

Get a PG who can set up the offense correctly.

[eyriq]

There’s a pretty even split between the “we need playmaking” and “we need shooting/scoring” camps, and it’ll be interesting to see where Weltman lands.

Some look at the offense and see a lack of organization, blaming playmaking. Others see the missed shots, low spacing, and lack of scoring depth, blaming personnel. How Weltman chooses to build around Paolo and Franz will tell us whether he thinks they need a lead guard to orchestrate or more efficient weapons to finish the job.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

There’s a pretty even split between the “we need playmaking” and “we need shooting/scoring” camps, and it’ll be interesting to see where Weltman lands.

Some look at the offense and see a lack of organization, blaming playmaking. Others see the missed shots, low spacing, and lack of scoring depth, blaming personnel. How Weltman chooses to build around Paolo and Franz will tell us whether he thinks they need a lead guard to orchestrate or more efficient weapons to finish the job.

I mean he somewhat went this route this past year and it was an EPIC failure. The only next step he could possibly do would be go trade for a high volume shooter like Klay type and see if that works. I have a feeling this is his last year to show he's the man for the job.

[BadMofoPimp]

There’s a pretty even split between the “we need playmaking” and “we need shooting/scoring” camps, and it’ll be interesting to see where Weltman lands.

Some look at the offense and see a lack of organization, blaming playmaking. Others see the missed shots, low spacing, and lack of scoring depth, blaming personnel. How Weltman chooses to build around Paolo and Franz will tell us whether he thinks they need a lead guard to orchestrate or more efficient weapons to finish the job.

I think between Paolo and Franz with Suggs, playmaking is not the biggest issue, but shooting is because without solid shooters around them making shots, the overall team play suffers.

[eyriq]

There’s a pretty even split between the “we need playmaking” and “we need shooting/scoring” camps, and it’ll be interesting to see where Weltman lands.

Some look at the offense and see a lack of organization, blaming playmaking. Others see the missed shots, low spacing, and lack of scoring depth, blaming personnel. How Weltman chooses to build around Paolo and Franz will tell us whether he thinks they need a lead guard to orchestrate or more efficient weapons to finish the job.

I mean he somewhat went this route this past year and it was an EPIC failure. The only next step he could possibly do would be go trade for a high volume shooter like Klay type and see if that works. I have a feeling this is his last year to show he's the man for the job.

KCP was a defense-first acquisition, not a high-volume offensive weapon.

He was brought in to raise the team’s floor with point-of-attack defense and off-ball reliability, not to carry a scoring load. If Weltman goes after a true movement shooter or efficient volume scorer this summer, that would represent a fundamentally different approach.

[eyriq]

There’s a pretty even split between the “we need playmaking” and “we need shooting/scoring” camps, and it’ll be interesting to see where Weltman lands.

Some look at the offense and see a lack of organization, blaming playmaking. Others see the missed shots, low spacing, and lack of scoring depth, blaming personnel. How Weltman chooses to build around Paolo and Franz will tell us whether he thinks they need a lead guard to orchestrate or more efficient weapons to finish the job.

I think between Paolo and Franz with Suggs, playmaking is not the biggest issue, but shooting is because without solid shooters around them making shots, the overall team play suffers.

I agree. With Paolo, Franz, and Suggs all capable of creating, the offense doesn't suffer from a lack of initiators, it suffers from a lack of space. Reliable shooting is the unlock that turns our existing playmaking into efficient, flowing offense.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

There’s a pretty even split between the “we need playmaking” and “we need shooting/scoring” camps, and it’ll be interesting to see where Weltman lands.

Some look at the offense and see a lack of organization, blaming playmaking. Others see the missed shots, low spacing, and lack of scoring depth, blaming personnel. How Weltman chooses to build around Paolo and Franz will tell us whether he thinks they need a lead guard to orchestrate or more efficient weapons to finish the job.

I think between Paolo and Franz with Suggs, playmaking is not the biggest issue, but shooting is because without solid shooters around them making shots, the overall team play suffers.

2023/2024 season would disagree with you.. we had a heathy team with Ingles and Moe W leading the bench and still bottom offense. This team is crying for a playmaking guard... find me a guard who can run Pick n Roll/shoot off the dribble/make the extra pass when needed. We don't have one of those on the roster and haven't since Jameer Nelson

[MartinsIzAfraud]

There’s a pretty even split between the “we need playmaking” and “we need shooting/scoring” camps, and it’ll be interesting to see where Weltman lands.

Some look at the offense and see a lack of organization, blaming playmaking. Others see the missed shots, low spacing, and lack of scoring depth, blaming personnel. How Weltman chooses to build around Paolo and Franz will tell us whether he thinks they need a lead guard to orchestrate or more efficient weapons to finish the job.

I mean he somewhat went this route this past year and it was an EPIC failure. The only next step he could possibly do would be go trade for a high volume shooter like Klay type and see if that works. I have a feeling this is his last year to show he's the man for the job.

KCP was a defense-first acquisition, not a high-volume offensive weapon.

He was brought in to raise the team’s floor with point-of-attack defense and off-ball reliability, not to carry a scoring load. If Weltman goes after a true movement shooter or efficient volume scorer this summer, that would represent a fundamentally different approach.

if that's what Weltman was going after then he's a MORON because we didn't need more defensive first players. It was clear as day what was needed for the 3rd year in a row and he struck out again. This summer he can't strike out or else he won't be employed.

[Optimus_Steel]

DeSantis mentioned Orlando as a possible destination for the Tampa Bay Rays.

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They asked Orange County for a ton of money....I say bye have fun!

[VFX]

There’s a pretty even split between the “we need playmaking” and “we need shooting/scoring” camps, and it’ll be interesting to see where Weltman lands.

Some look at the offense and see a lack of organization, blaming playmaking. Others see the missed shots, low spacing, and lack of scoring depth, blaming personnel. How Weltman chooses to build around Paolo and Franz will tell us whether he thinks they need a lead guard to orchestrate or more efficient weapons to finish the job.

I think between Paolo and Franz with Suggs, playmaking is not the biggest issue, but shooting is because without solid shooters around them making shots, the overall team play suffers.

2023/2024 season would disagree with you.. we had a heathy team with Ingles and Moe W leading the bench and still bottom offense. This team is crying for a playmaking guard... find me a guard who can run Pick n Roll/shoot off the dribble/make the extra pass when needed. We don't have one of those on the roster and haven't since Jameer Nelson

This is really what I don’t understand when it comes to the playmaking vs shooting argument.

It comes down to simple logic.

In 23-24

Suggs shot a good %
Franz is a starter
Paolo is a starter
Carter is interchangeable and it doesn’t matter

Those are just facts moving forward.

So what is the “shooting is more important” camp suggesting? That Weltman needs to find prime Steph Curry or Kobe Bryant to insert at point guard in order to increase shooting? It doesn’t even make sense as an argument. Adding a prime Klay Thompson next to Suggs doesn’t change the fact that Franz and Paolo are still taking a million shots a game.

No, the solution to this is to add a POINT GUARD that can make those guys better shooters everywhere on the court. It’s the most obvious logical conclusion to solving an offense that we ALL KNOW will be an iteration of those 3/4 guys.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

There’s a pretty even split between the “we need playmaking” and “we need shooting/scoring” camps, and it’ll be interesting to see where Weltman lands.

Some look at the offense and see a lack of organization, blaming playmaking. Others see the missed shots, low spacing, and lack of scoring depth, blaming personnel. How Weltman chooses to build around Paolo and Franz will tell us whether he thinks they need a lead guard to orchestrate or more efficient weapons to finish the job.

I think between Paolo and Franz with Suggs, playmaking is not the biggest issue, but shooting is because without solid shooters around them making shots, the overall team play suffers.

I agree. With Paolo, Franz, and Suggs all capable of creating, the offense doesn't suffer from a lack of initiators, it suffers from a lack of space. Reliable shooting is the unlock that turns our existing playmaking into efficient, flowing offense.

just not true at all, you should have that data.

https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/shots-closest-defender?CloseDefDistRange=6%20%20Feet%20-%20Wide%20Open&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&dir=A&sort=FG3_PCT

Orlando ranked 11th in WIDE OPEN ( 6+ feet) closest defender range yet shot 3rd worst FG% at 39.4%. Those same parameters from 3 where we took 18.8 attempts we were DEAD LAST in the NBA.

Orlando ranked 13th in OPEN (4-6ft) closest defender range yet shot 2nd worst FG% in the NBA barely beating out Charlotte by .2%. Those same parameters from 3 where we took 13.9 attempts we were DEAD LAST in the NBA by almost 2 percentage points.

shocker in the playoffs we were 6th in WIDE OPEN FG's but DEAD LAST in FG%.

This team lacks a 3rd playmaking option (so we don't have to spam Paolo/Franz) who can create his own shot while also being able to perform NBA level PG skills. We need someone who can handle the ball and get it moving around so players don't get iced out standing in the corner waiting for Paolo/Franz to be done pounding the air out of the ball.

[eyriq]

I think between Paolo and Franz with Suggs, playmaking is not the biggest issue, but shooting is because without solid shooters around them making shots, the overall team play suffers.

I agree. With Paolo, Franz, and Suggs all capable of creating, the offense doesn't suffer from a lack of initiators, it suffers from a lack of space. Reliable shooting is the unlock that turns our existing playmaking into efficient, flowing offense.

just not true at all, you should have that data.

https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/shots-closest-defender?CloseDefDistRange=6%20%20Feet%20-%20Wide%20Open&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&dir=A&sort=FG3_PCT

Orlando ranked 11th in WIDE OPEN ( 6+ feet) closest defender range yet shot 3rd worst FG% at 39.4%. Those same parameters from 3 where we took 18.8 attempts we were DEAD LAST in the NBA.

Orlando ranked 13th in OPEN (4-6ft) closest defender range yet shot 2nd worst FG% in the NBA barely beating out Charlotte by .2%. Those same parameters from 3 where we took 13.9 attempts we were DEAD LAST in the NBA by almost 2 percentage points.

shocker in the playoffs we were 6th in WIDE OPEN FG's but DEAD LAST in FG%.

This team lacks a 3rd playmaking option (so we don't have to spam Paolo/Franz) who can create his own shot while also being able to perform NBA level PG skills. We need someone who can handle the ball and get it moving around so players don't get iced out standing in the corner waiting for Paolo/Franz to be done pounding the air out of the ball.

Appreciate the data, and I think you’re helping illustrate the actual problem: we got good looks, we just didn’t hit them. The scheme created open shots, we ranked top 10 in generating them, but we were the worst team at converting them. That’s not a playmaking failure, that’s a finishing one.

Of course adding a connector guard helps, especially to relieve pressure and keep rhythm, but the core issue isn’t initiation, it’s conversion. Paolo, Franz, and Suggs create enough advantages. What we lack is shooting gravity and consistent floor spacing to capitalize on it.

Availability and youth played a role too, this was one of the youngest rotations in the league, and we were rarely whole. The problem isn’t that our stars are overtaxed; it’s that the supporting cast hasn’t been optimized around them.

[JoshuaPotter]

I'm not sorry. Our biggest problem with shooting is Paolo and Franz are NOT good regular season shooters. Just adding another known commodity is not going to change the gravity problem unless the shooter is once in a lifetime.

[drsd]

How do we fix the offense without a coaching change.

Coach Mosley is not the offensive coordinator of this team. So the basic answer to your question is "fire the assistant coaches and replace them".

[drsd]

I'm not sorry. Our biggest problem with shooting is Paolo and Franz are NOT good regular season shooters. Just adding another known commodity is not going to change the gravity problem unless the shooter is once in a lifetime.

Please let them be working on reciprical pick-and-roll sets all off-season long. This is not brain science. Those two playing off each other is un-guardable!

That should be the A1 set for this team.

[eyriq]

I'm not sorry. Our biggest problem with shooting is Paolo and Franz are NOT good regular season shooters. Just adding another known commodity is not going to change the gravity problem unless the shooter is once in a lifetime.

That’s fair to call out, Paolo and Franz aren’t elite shooters yet, and that does limit their gravity in certain contexts. But the league is filled with high-functioning offenses built around stars who aren't knockdown shooters (see: Giannis, Jimmy). The difference is they’re surrounded by consistent floor spacers and release valves who punish overhelp.

We don’t need a once-in-a-lifetime shooter. We need 2–3 reliable, high-volume threats who keep defenses honest. That’s what opens up driving lanes, improves rhythm, and makes Paolo and Franz’s reads easier, not because they’re perfect shooters, but because they’re star-level initiators who can punish mismatches if the floor isn’t collapsed.