Official 2024-2025 Magic Trade ideas thread continued

[thelead]

JI was terrible on offense this season but statistically he was still a good to great defensive player. All he needs to do is lose the extra weight, take less 3's, and stay healthy to be well worth his $15 mil annual contract.

15 minutes off the bench is still movable if required to land a starting guard. JI isn’t safe and really shouldn’t be.

I'm not saying he's untouchable. If you're saying that JI isn't valuable, I'm saying we have other contracts to make money match while keeping him and hoping he returns back to being absolutely elite defensively.

[RichCollab]

JI was terrible on offense this season but statistically he was still a good to great defensive player. All he needs to do is lose the extra weight, take less 3's, and stay healthy to be well worth his $15 mil annual contract.

15 minutes off the bench is still movable if required to land a starting guard. JI isn’t safe and really shouldn’t be.

I'm not saying he's untouchable. If you're saying that JI isn't valuable, I'm saying we have other contracts to make money match while keeping him and hoping he returns back to being absolutely elite defensively.

He has a single good season. Lots of ifs and buts with JI

[RichCollab]

As bad as Isaac was this past year, he was equally as good two years ago.

Now making just $15M, I’d see if him losing the weight and playing full time in the proper position can get him back to that form.

And if he can’t, he’s no less valuable in a trade at the deadline than he is right now.

How much did we pay him this year for 15 minutes a game of defense

[thelead]

15 minutes off the bench is still movable if required to land a starting guard. JI isn’t safe and really shouldn’t be.

I'm not saying he's untouchable. If you're saying that JI isn't valuable, I'm saying we have other contracts to make money match while keeping him and hoping he returns back to being absolutely elite defensively.

He has a single good season. Lots of ifs and buts with JI

So in your view, why would anyone want him? Your view suggest we can't trade him anyway without adding a lot of value... so how do we trade JI and get a quality starting guard back? Why wouldn't the other team just take players back like Cole and Harris who have fewer years on their contracts?

[RichCollab]

I'm not saying he's untouchable. If you're saying that JI isn't valuable, I'm saying we have other contracts to make money match while keeping him and hoping he returns back to being absolutely elite defensively.

He has a single good season. Lots of ifs and buts with JI

So in your view, why would anyone want him? Your view suggest we can't trade him anyway without adding a lot of value... so how do we trade JI and get a quality starting guard back? Why wouldn't the other team just take players back like Cole and Harris who have fewer years on their contracts?

I’m not saying that at all. I’m simply stating he is on the block.

[Knightro]

He has a single good season. Lots of ifs and buts with JI

So in your view, why would anyone want him? Your view suggest we can't trade him anyway without adding a lot of value... so how do we trade JI and get a quality starting guard back? Why wouldn't the other team just take players back like Cole and Harris who have fewer years on their contracts?

I’m not saying that at all. I’m simply stating he is on the block.

And I'm saying I don't think he is.

I don't believe Isaac's contract is critical to making a deal work financially when they have plenty of other expiring and similarly sized deals.

Combine that with the possibility that Isaac could significantly out perform his contract next year in ways that Cole, Gary, KCP and others simply cannot and will not do.

[pepe1991]

Imo Isaac continues to be one of biggest fool's gold we ever had.

He sucked this year. Sucked in playoffs and had heavy min restrictions.
Year prior he had heavy min restrictions, played 58 games on 15,8 mpg. Still sucked in playoffs.
Year prior he played 11 games.
Two years prior he didn't play at all.

Before all that he lasted 34 games.

He never even had okey playoffs. He sucked each and every time . Because only thing he has as player is effort in regular season where he is always in "playoff mode".
Even when you see how some players react in regular season to his defense it's silly. They all have that "bro, chill, we here to coast" face.

Guy at average plays 34 games a year. 7,6 ppg for career.

Averages more millions than min per game. Guy was 57# highest payed player last year ( highest payed player on Magic, for two years in a row ) and was defacto unplayable in playoffs because guy can't hit rock in water in middle of ocean.

His 2025-26 is fully guaranteed.
Has $8M guaranteed + bonus if he suits up for 52 games this year to make $14,5M.
Than same thing repeats itself year after.


btw during his good year, 23-24, all net positive lineups with him have Wagners and Ingles. Because he simply needs somebody to carry offense.
This year, due complete lack of talent off bench on offense, he is part of majority of all the worst 5 men lineups.
Basically his value is depends on ability of somebody else to be elite. Who's doing that for him next year? Black? Jett Howard?

[eyriq]

Imo Isaac continues to be one of biggest fool's gold we ever had.

He sucked this year. Sucked in playoffs and had heavy min restrictions.
Year prior he had heavy min restrictions, played 58 games on 15,8 mpg. Still sucked in playoffs.
Year prior he played 11 games.
Two years prior he didn't play at all.

Before all that he lasted 34 games.

He never even had okey playoffs. He sucked each and every time . Because only thing he has as player is effort in regular season where he is always in "playoff mode".
Even when you see how some players react in regular season to his defense it's silly. They all have that "bro, chill, we here to coast" face.

Guy at average plays 34 games a year. 7,6 ppg for career.

Averages more millions than min per game. Guy was 57# highest payed player last year ( highest payed player on Magic, for two years in a row ) and was defacto unplayable in playoffs because guy can't hit rock in water in middle of ocean.

His 2025-26 is fully guaranteed.
Has $8M guaranteed + bonus if he suits up for 52 games this year to make $14,5M.
Than same thing repeats itself year after.


btw during his good year, 23-24, all net positive lineups with him have Wagners and Ingles. Because he simply needs somebody to carry offense.
This year, due complete lack of talent off bench on offense, he is part of majority of all the worst 5 men lineups.
Basically his value is depends on ability of somebody else to be elite. Who's doing that for him next year? Black? Jett Howard?

You’re acting like Isaac was supposed to carry the offense. He’s a defensive specialist coming off multiple major injuries, playing limited minutes, and still anchoring elite units when healthy. His deal is structured to protect the team and keep flexibility. If you’re this worked up over a rotational defensive piece, it just shows you’ve lost the plot.

[pepe1991]

Imo Isaac continues to be one of biggest fool's gold we ever had.

He sucked this year. Sucked in playoffs and had heavy min restrictions.
Year prior he had heavy min restrictions, played 58 games on 15,8 mpg. Still sucked in playoffs.
Year prior he played 11 games.
Two years prior he didn't play at all.

Before all that he lasted 34 games.

He never even had okey playoffs. He sucked each and every time . Because only thing he has as player is effort in regular season where he is always in "playoff mode".
Even when you see how some players react in regular season to his defense it's silly. They all have that "bro, chill, we here to coast" face.

Guy at average plays 34 games a year. 7,6 ppg for career.

Averages more millions than min per game. Guy was 57# highest payed player last year ( highest payed player on Magic, for two years in a row ) and was defacto unplayable in playoffs because guy can't hit rock in water in middle of ocean.

His 2025-26 is fully guaranteed.
Has $8M guaranteed + bonus if he suits up for 52 games this year to make $14,5M.
Than same thing repeats itself year after.


btw during his good year, 23-24, all net positive lineups with him have Wagners and Ingles. Because he simply needs somebody to carry offense.
This year, due complete lack of talent off bench on offense, he is part of majority of all the worst 5 men lineups.
Basically his value is depends on ability of somebody else to be elite. Who's doing that for him next year? Black? Jett Howard?

You’re acting like Isaac was supposed to carry the offense. He’s a defensive specialist coming off multiple major injuries, playing limited minutes, and still anchoring elite units when healthy. His deal is structured to protect the team and keep flexibility. If you’re this worked up over a rotational defensive piece, it just shows you’ve lost the plot.

Proving my point. Fool's gold.

He is not anchoring anything. His PT declined from pre-allstar 16,3 mpg to post all star 12 mpg as team got better.
$27,6M payed for a guy to average 12 min a game when you need to win. That's more money than damn Jalen Brunson or Jalen Jackson make.

i'm worked up over guy who Weltman invested 8 years into, to get one and half solid season off him. Being highest paid player in back to back years, where his salary could have been used soo much better for players that actually:
1) play in nba
2) contribute
3) don't have medical record thicker than original bible

You know- using cheap rookie deals of Banchero ; Suggs and Franz to improve roster? The RIGHT WAY TO BUILD TEAMS. OKC's way. Not Weltman's way.

Weltman only keeps him because fragile little ego can't handle fact he drafted two busts in back to back drafts. Isaac won't have career after Orlando. He will be end-of-the roster-vet minimum guy until he retires . And that will probably happen before he turns 31.

[eyriq]

Imo Isaac continues to be one of biggest fool's gold we ever had.

He sucked this year. Sucked in playoffs and had heavy min restrictions.
Year prior he had heavy min restrictions, played 58 games on 15,8 mpg. Still sucked in playoffs.
Year prior he played 11 games.
Two years prior he didn't play at all.

Before all that he lasted 34 games.

He never even had okey playoffs. He sucked each and every time . Because only thing he has as player is effort in regular season where he is always in "playoff mode".
Even when you see how some players react in regular season to his defense it's silly. They all have that "bro, chill, we here to coast" face.

Guy at average plays 34 games a year. 7,6 ppg for career.

Averages more millions than min per game. Guy was 57# highest payed player last year ( highest payed player on Magic, for two years in a row ) and was defacto unplayable in playoffs because guy can't hit rock in water in middle of ocean.

His 2025-26 is fully guaranteed.
Has $8M guaranteed + bonus if he suits up for 52 games this year to make $14,5M.
Than same thing repeats itself year after.


btw during his good year, 23-24, all net positive lineups with him have Wagners and Ingles. Because he simply needs somebody to carry offense.
This year, due complete lack of talent off bench on offense, he is part of majority of all the worst 5 men lineups.
Basically his value is depends on ability of somebody else to be elite. Who's doing that for him next year? Black? Jett Howard?

You’re acting like Isaac was supposed to carry the offense. He’s a defensive specialist coming off multiple major injuries, playing limited minutes, and still anchoring elite units when healthy. His deal is structured to protect the team and keep flexibility. If you’re this worked up over a rotational defensive piece, it just shows you’ve lost the plot.

Proving my point. Fool's gold.

He is not anchoring anything. His PT declined from pre-allstar 16,3 mpg to post all star 12 mpg as team got better.
$27,6M payed for a guy to average 12 min a game when you need to win. That's more money than damn Jalen Brunson or Jalen Jackson make.

i'm worked up over guy who Weltman invested 8 years into, to get one and half solid season off him. Being highest paid player in back to back years, where his salary could have been used soo much better for players that actually:
1) play in nba
2) contribute
3) don't have medical record thicker than original bible

You know- using cheap rookie deals of Banchero ; Suggs and Franz to improve roster? The RIGHT WAY TO BUILD TEAMS. OKC's way. Not Weltman's way.

Weltman only keeps him because fragile little ego can't handle fact he drafted two busts in back to back drafts. Isaac won't have career after Orlando. He will be end-of-the roster-vet minimum guy until he retires . And that will probably happen before he turns 31.

There's truth in the frustration when we look backward, Isaac's injuries derailed what looked like a DPOY trajectory, and the return has undeniably been limited. But the front office’s view going forward clearly factors that history in. His deal is structured to limit risk and offer upside if he stays healthy. He’s no longer treated as a foundational piece but as a luxury role player whose defense still holds value when available. It’s not the centerpiece of the build. The plan now is about the core: Paolo, Franz, Suggs. That’s what the money and roster flexibility are shifting toward, and that’s the right call.

[eyriq]

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[zaymon]

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Not the worst target but he is a lot older than FVV, injury prone and worse playmaker.
Not that many good targets with established authority though.

[Bensational]

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If he couldn’t do it for the Pels why would he be able to do it for us? He’s not the answer, and from what my friend tells me the Pels basically want to dump his salary.

[pepe1991]

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If he couldn’t do it for the Pels why would he be able to do it for us? He’s not the answer, and from what my friend tells me the Pels basically want to dump his salary.

I think Pelicans are aiming for retool.

With all the Zion drama i think they want him gone.
They rely heavily on notion they will get all the juicy Bucks draft picks in 26 & 27 now , as Giannis is at exit doors.

They already ditched Ingram thing.

Only guys left are Zion, Mccullum and Murray.
Murray is going nowhere due injury.
McCullum is expiring.


Their middle part of the roster is very good ( Herb, Murray, Missi, Alvarado, Matkovic, Hawkins , 7# pick ).

There are no untouchables in New Orleans," O'Connor wrote in his latest NBA Mock Draft. "League sources say the Pelicans are gauging the market for everyone on their roster. They very well could end up keeping their core pieces, but it appears the Pelicans are looking into taking different paths this summer depending on what opportunities become available.

As for McCullum.
Guy is good at basketball. But his age is scary thing. He is probably one bit bigger injury away from rapid decline.
Might as well not get hurt but just drop off hill like Jrue Holiday.

I'm about his age, one day i can kill workouts and outwork 20 years old in gym, other days i can't walk myself to toilet

[Bensational]

Only guys left are Zion, Mccullum and Murray.
Murray is going nowhere due injury.
McCullum is expiring.


Their middle part of the roster is very good ( Herb, Murray, Missi, Alvarado, Matkovic, Hawkins , 7# pick ).

I think they’ve still got a lot of firepower on that team

Missi
Zion
Murphy/Herb
Hawkins/CJ
Murray/Alvarado

I think they’re a coach and quality depth pieces away from turning a corner. But with how good the west is still might not be enough to even break 8th seed.

[eyriq]

Read on Twitter

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If he couldn’t do it for the Pels why would he be able to do it for us? He’s not the answer, and from what my friend tells me the Pels basically want to dump his salary.

I think that's a great parallel. Zion and Ingram are stylistically similar to Paolo and Franz. I think the justifications for McCollum are actually the same in both scenarios—veteran presence, volume threes, secondary playmaking. It will work better here because Paolo and Franz are healthier and better overall.

[jezzerinho]

Read on Twitter

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If he couldn’t do it for the Pels why would he be able to do it for us? He’s not the answer, and from what my friend tells me the Pels basically want to dump his salary.

I think Pelicans are aiming for retool.

With all the Zion drama i think they want him gone.
They rely heavily on notion they will get all the juicy Bucks draft picks in 26 & 27 now , as Giannis is at exit doors.

They already ditched Ingram thing.

Only guys left are Zion, Mccullum and Murray.
Murray is going nowhere due injury.
McCullum is expiring.


Their middle part of the roster is very good ( Herb, Murray, Missi, Alvarado, Matkovic, Hawkins , 7# pick ).

There are no untouchables in New Orleans," O'Connor wrote in his latest NBA Mock Draft. "League sources say the Pelicans are gauging the market for everyone on their roster. They very well could end up keeping their core pieces, but it appears the Pelicans are looking into taking different paths this summer depending on what opportunities become available.

As for McCullum.
Guy is good at basketball. But his age is scary thing. He is probably one bit bigger injury away from rapid decline.
Might as well not get hurt but just drop off hill like Jrue Holiday.

I'm about his age, one day i can kill workouts and outwork 20 years old in gym, other days i can't walk myself to toilet

If you can get a guy like McCollum in his contract year, facing into his final pro contract renewal - and you can get him for cheap... that's probably a gamble that pays off. CJ will be heavily motivated to perform and he'll be in the East, on a team with no lockerroom headaches and able to share the workload with Suggs in defense and Franz/PB on offense.

That's close to the ideal situation for him. Is it ideal for Orlando? Prob not the best they can do but close to it without moving one of the three. Age though is an issue - it'd be a 2 yr rental type situation. 3rd year a team option and you probably have a plan b in place ahead of time. Maybe draft Nolan Traore or Clayton and hope they're fast learners. Or trade for 2 PGs, the other being a cheap up and comer..

[basketballRob]

I think if we trade Cole to a team like the Clippers, he may blow up. The Clippers were 4th in offense last season.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

[tiderulz]

15 minutes off the bench is still movable if required to land a starting guard. JI isn’t safe and really shouldn’t be.

I'm not saying he's untouchable. If you're saying that JI isn't valuable, I'm saying we have other contracts to make money match while keeping him and hoping he returns back to being absolutely elite defensively.

He has a single good season. Lots of ifs and buts with JI

exactly. people seem to have rosy glasses about Isaac, but he never turned out to be what people hoped. 15 mpg, even with good defense, doesnt make him untouchable.

[tiderulz]

Imo Isaac continues to be one of biggest fool's gold we ever had.

He sucked this year. Sucked in playoffs and had heavy min restrictions.
Year prior he had heavy min restrictions, played 58 games on 15,8 mpg. Still sucked in playoffs.
Year prior he played 11 games.
Two years prior he didn't play at all.

Before all that he lasted 34 games.

He never even had okey playoffs. He sucked each and every time . Because only thing he has as player is effort in regular season where he is always in "playoff mode".
Even when you see how some players react in regular season to his defense it's silly. They all have that "bro, chill, we here to coast" face.

Guy at average plays 34 games a year. 7,6 ppg for career.

Averages more millions than min per game. Guy was 57# highest payed player last year ( highest payed player on Magic, for two years in a row ) and was defacto unplayable in playoffs because guy can't hit rock in water in middle of ocean.

His 2025-26 is fully guaranteed.
Has $8M guaranteed + bonus if he suits up for 52 games this year to make $14,5M.
Than same thing repeats itself year after.


btw during his good year, 23-24, all net positive lineups with him have Wagners and Ingles. Because he simply needs somebody to carry offense.
This year, due complete lack of talent off bench on offense, he is part of majority of all the worst 5 men lineups.
Basically his value is depends on ability of somebody else to be elite. Who's doing that for him next year? Black? Jett Howard?

You’re acting like Isaac was supposed to carry the offense. He’s a defensive specialist coming off multiple major injuries, playing limited minutes, and still anchoring elite units when healthy. His deal is structured to protect the team and keep flexibility. If you’re this worked up over a rotational defensive piece, it just shows you’ve lost the plot.

he is only playing 15 mpg. we would still have a good defense without him. when he is on the court, we are playing at best 4.5 vs 5