Official 2025 Offseason Thread

[Jiwol]

Temu knockoffs from Temu management. Sounds about right.

[basketballRob]

https://www.youtube.com/live/26qXxNYDO9w?si=nDu2mNp-XCMG_yQN

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[Knightro]

No, what I’m saying is that firsts are actually valuable in Orlando’s situation.

Why? Because of the CBA and the implications of the 1st and 2nd apron.

So Orlando faces two realities:

1-Trade a bunch of picks to make a move on 1 or 2 very good (available) players to a team looking to rebuild. This causes more depth issues because we are then trading the bench over for who knows what. Also, they are trading the better bench players over the ones that do nothing like Isaac. We probably keep one pick and a second just to fill a roster with someone.

2-Make very conservative moves that don’t resolve the point guard or Center position. They are short term decisions like acquiring CJ McCollum for a second round (or 25) pick and bench garbage. Starting lineup isn’t really addressed long term. Use the picks for good players on good deals. This gives us better depth potentially and more shots at starting talent but doesn’t actually make the team better on paper long term.

Thats the situation Weltman is in. He has to improve the roster by more than 1 player, balance the money, and do it potentially without sacrificing every rookie scale deal for future cap implications.

This is why I’m talking currently about the fact he’s made no trades in 4 years to find a better bench or assets. The assets he has to spend need to be sweetened with the picks everyone here is drooling over in the later part of the draft. Problem is that Orlando actually needs those picks now too because Weltman is terrible at his job and the money doesn’t really work unless you expect to have a somehow worse bench than we already do.

But just to be clear, you're concerned about trading away players from the bench unit that you currently think stinks?

[VFX]

No, what I’m saying is that firsts are actually valuable in Orlando’s situation.

Why? Because of the CBA and the implications of the 1st and 2nd apron.

So Orlando faces two realities:

1-Trade a bunch of picks to make a move on 1 or 2 very good (available) players to a team looking to rebuild. This causes more depth issues because we are then trading the bench over for who knows what. Also, they are trading the better bench players over the ones that do nothing like Isaac. We probably keep one pick and a second just to fill a roster with someone.

2-Make very conservative moves that don’t resolve the point guard or Center position. They are short term decisions like acquiring CJ McCollum for a second round (or 25) pick and bench garbage. Starting lineup isn’t really addressed long term. Use the picks for good players on good deals. This gives us better depth potentially and more shots at starting talent but doesn’t actually make the team better on paper long term.

Thats the situation Weltman is in. He has to improve the roster by more than 1 player, balance the money, and do it potentially without sacrificing every rookie scale deal for future cap implications.

This is why I’m talking currently about the fact he’s made no trades in 4 years to find a better bench or assets. The assets he has to spend need to be sweetened with the picks everyone here is drooling over in the later part of the draft. Problem is that Orlando actually needs those picks now too because Weltman is terrible at his job and the money doesn’t really work unless you expect to have a somehow worse bench than we already do.

But just to be clear, you're concerned about trading away players from the bench unit that you currently think stinks?

Magic will not be an elite contending team without a bench.
The bench right now is C- to D+ and Orlando's team IS considered injury prone, so thats a real issue.

They can package multiple bench players WITH draft picks to address starting point guard or center. That means they arent improving the bench much at all for the foreseeable future by moving the picks.

They can move a starter plus multiple picks for a better starter. That also doesn't address the bench.

This is why I'm actually an advocate for taking some bad asset redemption guy like Poole if it means Orlando can keep a number of picks while getting rid of some bench guys and maybe KCP. Because we live in reality and the cap situation and 1/2nd apron are fast approaching with Paolo's extension.

SO yeah, call me crazy, but I don't think upgrading the starting unit by one total position is ideal if it means the bench goes from C+ to F g-league levels because those are the assets Weltman is left with after he throws 4 picks at some team for a player they don't mind moving.

[richi_v25]

Wow those new jerseys are UGLY! They really do look like knock-offs, they aren't horrible but the font looks so silly.

[Skybox]

OK...I'll bite Why do you think Cole is the reason we keep getting Michigan players?

He's just into sports and is from that area. He plays hockey for the Detroit Redwings affiliate. There has to be an explanation to all the Michigan players. He may offer suggestions from watching the Michigan games.

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You know the DeVos family is from Michigan, lives in Michigan, and is super politically-connected in Michigan, right?

And…?

That’s why we drafted these guys and signed Moe? That’s really what you believe? I was giving Weltman way too much credit for drafting Franz then- didn’t realize it was mandated.

[basketballRob]

He's just into sports and is from that area. He plays hockey for the Detroit Redwings affiliate. There has to be an explanation to all the Michigan players. He may offer suggestions from watching the Michigan games.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

You know the DeVos family is from Michigan, lives in Michigan, and is super politically-connected in Michigan, right?

And…?

That’s why we drafted these guys and signed Moe? That’s really what you believe? I was giving Weltman way too much credit for drafting Franz then- didn’t realize it was mandated.

Franz was projected to go 9, and we picked him up at 8. I think Weltman gets too much credit for Franz.

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[Skybox]

You know the DeVos family is from Michigan, lives in Michigan, and is super politically-connected in Michigan, right?

And…?

That’s why we drafted these guys and signed Moe? That’s really what you believe? I was giving Weltman way too much credit for drafting Franz then- didn’t realize it was mandated.

Franz was projected to go 9, and we picked him up at 8. I think Weltman gets too much credit for Franz.

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Clearly had no choice…could’ve easily been Kobe Bufkin but Franz landed “tails” on the coin toss

Stop it…Richi Rich/Cole Devos doesn’t even know he owns a basketball team in Florida , let alone influences personnel decisions

[Skybox]

You know the DeVos family is from Michigan, lives in Michigan, and is super politically-connected in Michigan, right?

And…?

That’s why we drafted these guys and signed Moe? That’s really what you believe? I was giving Weltman way too much credit for drafting Franz then- didn’t realize it was mandated.

Franz was projected to go 9, and we picked him up at 8. I think Weltman gets too much credit for Franz.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

Good thing the Devos kid wasn’t from Arkansas- we would’ve picked Moody.

[RichCollab]

No, what I’m saying is that firsts are actually valuable in Orlando’s situation.

Why? Because of the CBA and the implications of the 1st and 2nd apron.

So Orlando faces two realities:

1-Trade a bunch of picks to make a move on 1 or 2 very good (available) players to a team looking to rebuild. This causes more depth issues because we are then trading the bench over for who knows what. Also, they are trading the better bench players over the ones that do nothing like Isaac. We probably keep one pick and a second just to fill a roster with someone.

2-Make very conservative moves that don’t resolve the point guard or Center position. They are short term decisions like acquiring CJ McCollum for a second round (or 25) pick and bench garbage. Starting lineup isn’t really addressed long term. Use the picks for good players on good deals. This gives us better depth potentially and more shots at starting talent but doesn’t actually make the team better on paper long term.

Thats the situation Weltman is in. He has to improve the roster by more than 1 player, balance the money, and do it potentially without sacrificing every rookie scale deal for future cap implications.

This is why I’m talking currently about the fact he’s made no trades in 4 years to find a better bench or assets. The assets he has to spend need to be sweetened with the picks everyone here is drooling over in the later part of the draft. Problem is that Orlando actually needs those picks now too because Weltman is terrible at his job and the money doesn’t really work unless you expect to have a somehow worse bench than we already do.

But just to be clear, you're concerned about trading away players from the bench unit that you currently think stinks?

Magic will not be an elite contending team without a bench.
The bench right now is C- to D+ and Orlando's team IS considered injury prone, so thats a real issue.

They can package multiple bench players WITH draft picks to address starting point guard or center. That means they arent improving the bench much at all for the foreseeable future by moving the picks.

They can move a starter plus multiple picks for a better starter. That also doesn't address the bench.

This is why I'm actually an advocate for taking some bad asset redemption guy like Poole if it means Orlando can keep a number of picks while getting rid of some bench guys and maybe KCP. Because we live in reality and the cap situation and 1/2nd apron are fast approaching with Paolo's extension.

SO yeah, call me crazy, but I don't think upgrading the starting unit by one total position is ideal if it means the bench goes from C+ to F g-league levels because those are the assets Weltman is left with after he throws 4 picks at some team for a player they don't mind moving.

We haven’t made it out of the first round. The bench isn’t the biggest issue.

[VFX]

But just to be clear, you're concerned about trading away players from the bench unit that you currently think stinks?

Magic will not be an elite contending team without a bench.
The bench right now is C- to D+ and Orlando's team IS considered injury prone, so thats a real issue.

They can package multiple bench players WITH draft picks to address starting point guard or center. That means they arent improving the bench much at all for the foreseeable future by moving the picks.

They can move a starter plus multiple picks for a better starter. That also doesn't address the bench.

This is why I'm actually an advocate for taking some bad asset redemption guy like Poole if it means Orlando can keep a number of picks while getting rid of some bench guys and maybe KCP. Because we live in reality and the cap situation and 1/2nd apron are fast approaching with Paolo's extension.

SO yeah, call me crazy, but I don't think upgrading the starting unit by one total position is ideal if it means the bench goes from C+ to F g-league levels because those are the assets Weltman is left with after he throws 4 picks at some team for a player they don't mind moving.

We haven’t made it out of the first round. The bench isn’t the biggest issue.

It’s definitely not the biggest.

The problem, I’m saying, is that they can’t necessarily afford to neglect it this season by trading every pick. The money moving forward is too tight and they have to improve it at some point.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

Magic will not be an elite contending team without a bench.
The bench right now is C- to D+ and Orlando's team IS considered injury prone, so thats a real issue.

They can package multiple bench players WITH draft picks to address starting point guard or center. That means they arent improving the bench much at all for the foreseeable future by moving the picks.

They can move a starter plus multiple picks for a better starter. That also doesn't address the bench.

This is why I'm actually an advocate for taking some bad asset redemption guy like Poole if it means Orlando can keep a number of picks while getting rid of some bench guys and maybe KCP. Because we live in reality and the cap situation and 1/2nd apron are fast approaching with Paolo's extension.

SO yeah, call me crazy, but I don't think upgrading the starting unit by one total position is ideal if it means the bench goes from C+ to F g-league levels because those are the assets Weltman is left with after he throws 4 picks at some team for a player they don't mind moving.

We haven’t made it out of the first round. The bench isn’t the biggest issue.

It’s definitely not the biggest.

The problem, I’m saying, is that they can’t necessarily afford to neglect it this season by trading every pick. The money moving forward is too tight and they have to improve it at some point.

Whoever they get guard wise likely starts and possibly pushes KCP to bench.

Honestly right now dream scenario is Isaac Gary 25 for Simons. Orlando takes Sorber/Fleming/Newell at 16.

Simons
Suggs
Franz
Paolo
WCJ

Bench - KCP AB 16 MLE and whatever vet min C they get. That’s then got Moe W coming back late in the year.

That’s not even considering if they move Goga and what they get back for him.

[Knightro]

Magic will not be an elite contending team without a bench.
The bench right now is C- to D+ and Orlando's team IS considered injury prone, so thats a real issue.

They can package multiple bench players WITH draft picks to address starting point guard or center. That means they arent improving the bench much at all for the foreseeable future by moving the picks.

They can move a starter plus multiple picks for a better starter. That also doesn't address the bench.

This is why I'm actually an advocate for taking some bad asset redemption guy like Poole if it means Orlando can keep a number of picks while getting rid of some bench guys and maybe KCP. Because we live in reality and the cap situation and 1/2nd apron are fast approaching with Paolo's extension.

SO yeah, call me crazy, but I don't think upgrading the starting unit by one total position is ideal if it means the bench goes from C+ to F g-league levels because those are the assets Weltman is left with after he throws 4 picks at some team for a player they don't mind moving.

We haven’t made it out of the first round. The bench isn’t the biggest issue.

It’s definitely not the biggest.

The problem, I’m saying, is that they can’t necessarily afford to neglect it this season by trading every pick. The money moving forward is too tight and they have to improve it at some point.

They could and probably will also have to actually start using their second round picks.

Look at Indiana. They have Nembhard and Sheppard who they drafted in Round 2 and Toppin who they acquired for a pair of 2nd rounders. Thats three rotation players they picked up for basically nothing.

Look at OKC.

Wiggins was a 2nd rounder. Jay Williams was a 2nd rounder.

Joe was a 2nd rounder they scooped up off waivers.

Ajay Mitchell was a 2nd rounder.

These are all guys who have been, are currently in or will be in their rotation long-term.

You can find rotation players anywhere, you just have to be willing to actually all the resources at your disposal.

[fendilim]

You know the DeVos family is from Michigan, lives in Michigan, and is super politically-connected in Michigan, right?

And…?

That’s why we drafted these guys and signed Moe? That’s really what you believe? I was giving Weltman way too much credit for drafting Franz then- didn’t realize it was mandated.

Franz was projected to go 9, and we picked him up at 8. I think Weltman gets too much credit for Franz.

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if i remember correctly, it was assumed he got a promise at 9th, that’s why he ended up at that range. He was projected to go later prior to turning down draft workouts.

[fendilim]

No way kcp gets moved to the bench before he gets traded. Weltman doesnt have the balls to do that to a klutch client, imo.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

No way kcp gets moved to the bench before he gets traded. Weltman doesnt have the balls to do that to a klutch client, imo.

**** klutch… dude stunk it up last year he doesn’t deserve a starting spot.

Also just because he moves to the bench doesn’t mean he’s not seeing the same 15-20 minutes a night.

[yoyojw17]

No way kcp gets moved to the bench before he gets traded. Weltman doesnt have the balls to do that to a klutch client, imo.

**** klutch… dude stunk it up last year he doesn’t deserve a starting spot.

Also just because he moves to the bench doesn’t mean he’s not seeing the same 15-20 minutes a night.

He started the season off rough.... and finished pretty strong. they are definitely going to run with the tandem of him and suggs as previously planned. Unless something big comes up or KCP is traded... I fully expect him to start. Plus a player like Simons would help boost the offense of the bench which to me was what we were missing. Mo Wagner was our engine to 5th best offense off the bench.... and things went to shambles when he went out. Players were moved into roles they couldn't or were not ready to fill. Hopefully our young guys come in elevating themselves to new levels... experience, consistency and confidence can make a world of a difference for players like black, jett, and TDS.... who can take our team to new heights. But if we do get a player like simons it would be a shot in the arm for our bench... and man.... when Moe comes back... even better.

[basketballRob]

And…?

That’s why we drafted these guys and signed Moe? That’s really what you believe? I was giving Weltman way too much credit for drafting Franz then- didn’t realize it was mandated.

Franz was projected to go 9, and we picked him up at 8. I think Weltman gets too much credit for Franz.

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if i remember correctly, it was assumed he got a promise at 9th, that’s why he ended up at that range. He was projected to go later prior to turning down draft workouts.

The Kings had the 9th pick, and every mock had him going 9th. He was even in California working out with Harrison Barnes.

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[RookieStar]

Franz was projected to go 9, and we picked him up at 8. I think Weltman gets too much credit for Franz.

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if i remember correctly, it was assumed he got a promise at 9th, that’s why he ended up at that range. He was projected to go later prior to turning down draft workouts.

The Kings had the 9th pick, and every mock had him going 9th. He was even in California working out with Harrison Barnes.

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Is this another version of history? Thats what i also believed at first then someone or somewhere wrote that we were all wrong. The mystery team that made a promise to Franz was never SAC but it ORL instead. Everyomr just assumed it was SAC.

[fendilim]

if i remember correctly, it was assumed he got a promise at 9th, that’s why he ended up at that range. He was projected to go later prior to turning down draft workouts.

The Kings had the 9th pick, and every mock had him going 9th. He was even in California working out with Harrison Barnes.

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Is this another version of history? Thats what i also believed at first then someone or somewhere wrote that we were all wrong. The mystery team that made a promise to Franz was never SAC but it ORL instead. Everyomr just assumed it was SAC.

Franz was projected to go late lotto to mid first round before the draft promise circled in on Sacramento.