2024 Trade Rumors

[Skybox]

Another ORL fan looking at Kessler. Sorry about the lottery luck...it's hard to guess what Danny's vision and timeline are, but it's clear he's looking for that star to build around (possibly along with Lauri and, maybe, Kessler). Given the draft situation and Kessler's looming extension, maybe he kicks it down the road a little more, rather than pay Kessler to sit and wait some more - I understand it would have to be high upside for UTA to consider.

ORL sends: Goga Bitadze, ORL 26 frp (swap rights with PHX/WAS- but very likely to be a lottery pick).

Goga's solid and on a very reasonable deal for a couple more years...but the pick is the thing. UTA might take Maluach at #5 (or better yet, trade back and take him) - I would. I think Maluach has a good chance to be even better than Kessler. Then a couple of lottery picks next summer continue the build, until you find the star(s) to build around. If you didn't want Goga, Jett Howard is a recent pick with no guaranteed money after next year - maybe UTA unlocks him but, either way, no long-term commitment.

It's a gamble with high upside for UTA, while ORL is better off looking for proven role players like Kessler to push for the ECF soon.

[Inigo Montoya]

Another ORL fan looking at Kessler. Sorry about the lottery luck...it's hard to guess what Danny's vision and timeline are, but it's clear he's looking for that star to build around (possibly along with Lauri and, maybe, Kessler). Given the draft situation and Kessler's looming extension, maybe he kicks it down the road a little more, rather than pay Kessler to sit and wait some more - I understand it would have to be high upside for UTA to consider.

ORL sends: Goga Bitadze, ORL 26 frp (swap rights with PHX/WAS- but very likely to be a lottery pick).

Goga's solid and on a very reasonable deal for a couple more years...but the pick is the thing. UTA might take Maluach at #5 (or better yet, trade back and take him) - I would. I think Maluach has a good chance to be even better than Kessler. Then a couple of lottery picks next summer continue the build, until you find the star(s) to build around. If you didn't want Goga, Jett Howard is a recent pick with no guaranteed money after next year - maybe UTA unlocks him but, either way, no long-term commitment.

It's a gamble with high upside for UTA, while ORL is better off looking for proven role players like Kessler to push for the ECF soon.

The protections on that 2026 pick are pretty confusing. If I understand it correctly, it gives the Magic (or the Jazz in this scenario) the right to swap picks with the least favorable pick between Washington and Phoenix which would be in the 10-30 range. Personally, I'd rather keep Kessler because the Jazz would have to waste picks on finding a player who is as good and that would mean they basically didn't progress at all and just treaded water at best this season by moving him and drafting Maluach and hoping he'd pan out. Unless there is a player who is a clear improvement over Kessler in the draft and projected to be in a whole other tier, then it doesn't make much sense, any offer would have to be an over-pay.

I also don't know why the Magic want Kessler, it seems like you have a good defense already but your offense kinda sucks because there is very little shot creation other than Banchero and Wagner. I'd think you'd be more focused on that.

[Skybox]

Another ORL fan looking at Kessler. Sorry about the lottery luck...it's hard to guess what Danny's vision and timeline are, but it's clear he's looking for that star to build around (possibly along with Lauri and, maybe, Kessler). Given the draft situation and Kessler's looming extension, maybe he kicks it down the road a little more, rather than pay Kessler to sit and wait some more - I understand it would have to be high upside for UTA to consider.

ORL sends: Goga Bitadze, ORL 26 frp (swap rights with PHX/WAS- but very likely to be a lottery pick).

Goga's solid and on a very reasonable deal for a couple more years...but the pick is the thing. UTA might take Maluach at #5 (or better yet, trade back and take him) - I would. I think Maluach has a good chance to be even better than Kessler. Then a couple of lottery picks next summer continue the build, until you find the star(s) to build around. If you didn't want Goga, Jett Howard is a recent pick with no guaranteed money after next year - maybe UTA unlocks him but, either way, no long-term commitment.

It's a gamble with high upside for UTA, while ORL is better off looking for proven role players like Kessler to push for the ECF soon.

The protections on that 2026 pick are pretty confusing. If I understand it correctly, it gives the Magic (or the Jazz in this scenario) the right to swap picks with the least favorable pick between Washington and Phoenix which would be in the 10-30 range. Personally, I'd rather keep Kessler because the Jazz would have to waste picks on finding a player who is as good and that would mean they basically didn't progress at all and just treaded water at best this season by moving him and drafting Maluach and hoping he'd pan out. Unless there is a player who is a clear improvement over Kessler in the draft and projected to be in a whole other tier, then it doesn't make much sense, any offer would have to be an over-pay.

I also don't know why the Magic want Kessler, it seems like you have a good defense already but your offense kinda sucks because there is very little shot creation other than Banchero and Wagner. I'd think you'd be more focused on that.

ORL will have the second best of the three picks…it is very confusing. There also appears to be protections vs WAS’ priority, which could boost it higher…hard to imagine PHX and WAS making the playoffs. Can’t even really trade it back to PHX, because MEM, I think, has a backup claim to it

Idk why Kessler would be available either…I like him with Lauri, but fandom, at least, seems to think he is. ORLs backcourt will get a revamp this summer to boost the playmaking & scoring…that’s the heart of ORL’s defense- Paolo & Franz are such potent offensive players that a simple monster in the middle would really anchor the team, imo. Offensive rebounding, rim protection, dropoffs, etc..WCJ is really good and super versatile but maybe more versatile than needed with P&F and not elite at anything. I can only imagine the defensive scheme Mosely could build around a true elite rim protector behind the POA wolves they deploy.

[Inigo Montoya]

ORL will have the second best of the three picks…it is very confusing. There also appears to be protections vs WAS’ priority, which could boost it higher…hard to imagine PHX and WAS making the playoffs. Can’t even really trade it back to PHX, because MEM, I think, has a backup claim to it

Idk why Kessler would be available either…I like him with Lauri, but fandom, at least, seems to think he is. ORLs backcourt will get a revamp this summer to boost the playmaking & scoring…that’s the heart of ORL’s defense- Paolo & Franz are such potent offensive players that a simple monster in the middle would really anchor the team, imo. Offensive rebounding, rim protection, dropoffs, etc..WCJ is really good and super versatile but maybe more versatile than needed with P&F and not elite at anything. I can only imagine the defensive scheme Mosely could build around a true elite rim protector behind the POA wolves they deploy.

Seems like the Magic are in a bit of a catch-22. If your back court is the heart of the Magic defense, and that's where they'll make changes, then they'd be sacrificing the defense for more offense and it might mess up your whole defensive scheme. In that case, I can see why you'd want Kessler. It seems like Garland and Allen from the Cavs may be available and maybe the Magic is a good destination for at least one of them. Check out 7:07.

Watch on YouTube

[Skybox]

ORL will have the second best of the three picks…it is very confusing. There also appears to be protections vs WAS’ priority, which could boost it higher…hard to imagine PHX and WAS making the playoffs. Can’t even really trade it back to PHX, because MEM, I think, has a backup claim to it

Idk why Kessler would be available either…I like him with Lauri, but fandom, at least, seems to think he is. ORLs backcourt will get a revamp this summer to boost the playmaking & scoring…that’s the heart of ORL’s defense- Paolo & Franz are such potent offensive players that a simple monster in the middle would really anchor the team, imo. Offensive rebounding, rim protection, dropoffs, etc..WCJ is really good and super versatile but maybe more versatile than needed with P&F and not elite at anything. I can only imagine the defensive scheme Mosely could build around a true elite rim protector behind the POA wolves they deploy.

Seems like the Magic are in a bit of a catch-22. If you're back court is the heart of the Magic defense, and that's where they'll make changes, then they'd be sacrificing the defense for more offense and it might mess up your whole defensive scheme. In that case, I can see why you'd want Kessler. It seems like Garland and Allen from the Cavs may be available and maybe the Magic is a good destination for at least one of them. Check out 7:07.

Watch on YouTube

;t=633s

Yeah…that’s the big topic…I like Garland a lot, but I’d be really reluctant to send Suggs to what ORL hopes is their biggest rival in the East (big talk from a play-in, but the East really feels wide open). Suggs is an absolute destroyer defensively and, if ORL agreed to move him, I’d want it to be FAR away. He’d kill Garland in a playoff matchup, imo…Suggs/Mitchell would be a monster…KCP is really good, but Suggs is just different. Probably a lot of homer stuff on both sides, but CLE/ORL fans are very far apart in their assessments of value.

I’ve proposed quite a few with KCP/WCJ & ORL 26 frp, which has swap that likely makes it a lottery pick. This would allow CLE to also move Allen for a second haul because, imo, Mobley/WCJ is a more complementary pairing…we’ll see.

But that kind of illustrates what I’m thinking with Kessler, give up some defensive presence in the backcourt to add playmaking…but then add an impenetrable defensive anchor. Garland also might be more offense than ORL needs…I’d rather have a Derrick White - type who gives a decent amount of offense but doesn’t present a target defensively…delicate balance.

[tugs]

If ORL wants a big and address their lack of offense issue, plus having a young project with upside, might as well ask for Filipowski who can tick all boxes

[Hoops Addict]

Read an article (think SLC dunk) that had sixers trading PG13 and #3 for Lauri and #21. Honestly I’d do it. Get Ace and Tre. We need to go full youth anyways. Give PG a year to rehab and come back strong and healthy and look to trade him when he has 1-2 years left on his deal.

Agree.