Official 2024-2025 Magic Trade ideas thread continued

[Knightro]

With ALL things considered I rather have Reaves/Suggs than Garland/KCP (and forming a an even further juggernaut team in the East).

Yeah that and the money.

Garland is $40m there is no way Reaves is worth that after his extension.

Like people here don’t understand the roster is locked in when you are paying 3 players $40m each plus two other marginally decent starters.

Is there a better team in the East than Banchero/Wagner/Garland though?

[VFX]

With ALL things considered I rather have Reaves/Suggs than Garland/KCP (and forming a an even further juggernaut team in the East).

Yeah that and the money.

Garland is $40m there is no way Reaves is worth that after his extension.

Like people here don’t understand the roster is locked in when you are paying 3 players $40m each plus two other marginally decent starters.

On one hand we have to be bold if we want to snag a good starting PG in this year's market. On the other, the money has to work and Garland get paid a lot of money for a guy that hasn't convinced in the postseason.

Yeah I get that.

I just don’t trust Weltman to know how to appropriately round out a roster like that using money intelligently.

He hasn’t done anything like that for 8 years. He doesn’t know how to make moves on the fringes that make sense.

Is Orlando going to run 6 players in the playoffs and hire Thibs?

[VFX]

With ALL things considered I rather have Reaves/Suggs than Garland/KCP (and forming a an even further juggernaut team in the East).

Yeah that and the money.

Garland is $40m there is no way Reaves is worth that after his extension.

Like people here don’t understand the roster is locked in when you are paying 3 players $40m each plus two other marginally decent starters.

Is there a better team in the East than Banchero/Wagner/Garland though?

Cleveland with Suggs, Mitchell, Allen, and Mobley?

Oh yeah and they have a real bench. Not Anthony Black and Cole Anthony levels of inferior.

[Magic_Johnny12]

With ALL things considered I rather have Reaves/Suggs than Garland/KCP (and forming a an even further juggernaut team in the East).

Yeah that and the money.

Garland is $40m there is no way Reaves is worth that after his extension.

Like people here don’t understand the roster is locked in when you are paying 3 players $40m each plus two other marginally decent starters.

Is there a better team in the East than Banchero/Wagner/Garland though?

Yes, actually a few.

Brown/Tatum/White

Suggs/Mitchell/Mobley

Brunson/possibly Durant/OG or Bridges

The current Eastern Conference finals Hali/Siakam/Nemby

[Knightro]

Yeah that and the money.

Garland is $40m there is no way Reaves is worth that after his extension.

Like people here don’t understand the roster is locked in when you are paying 3 players $40m each plus two other marginally decent starters.

Is there a better team in the East than Banchero/Wagner/Garland though?

Cleveland with Suggs, Mitchell, Allen, and Mobley?

Oh yeah and they have a real bench. Not Anthony Black and Cole Anthony levels of inferior.

They’re probably going to lose multiple pieces off that bench in the next month btw.

Jerome and Merrill are free agents and they’re already $12.8M over the 2nd apron before retaining either one of them.

They’re staring at a $97.9M tax bill without Jerome or Merrill even signed.

[Knightro]

Yeah that and the money.

Garland is $40m there is no way Reaves is worth that after his extension.

Like people here don’t understand the roster is locked in when you are paying 3 players $40m each plus two other marginally decent starters.

Is there a better team in the East than Banchero/Wagner/Garland though?

Yes, actually a few.

Brown/Tatum/White

Suggs/Mitchell/Mobley

Brunson/possibly Durant/OG or Bridges

The current Eastern Conference finals Hali/Siakam/Nemby

Tatum has a blown achilles and isn’t even playing next season.

The Cavs flamed out in the playoffs each of the last three years because of their *offense* kept failing them in the biggest moments and they’d be replacing one of their two A+ offensive players with someone much worse offensively and more injury prone.

The Pacers have used some insane voodoo magic, like 1.5 million to 1 odds kind of stuff, to win like five playoff games where their win probability was below 4%. They’re not as good as this fluke, they lose any of those games to CLE or NYK and they’re not even in the finals most likely.

The Knicks… please trade multiple pieces for 37 year old Durant who has legit killed the last two franchises he’s been on and is one of the biggest “when it’s bad, it’s REAL BAD” vibes guys in the NBA at this point.

Top 5 defensive team (they were top 5 post Suggs too) with two big forwards who can score adding a multi-time all-star PG in his prime?

I’d take the Magic against anybody in the East next season with Garland.

[Magic_Johnny12]

I really hate to admit this, but Orlando is a lot farther from contending than a lot of the top teams in the East.

Orlando doesn’t just need a high caliber guard to be real serious threat.

They need Paolo play like an all-NBA caliber player.

They need Franz to be in all-star considerations which probably means he’s at least shooting league avg from 3

They need internal development from Mosley and his coaching staff.

We need to find a better supporting cast (not Cory Joseph, Jonathan Isaac, Gary Harris).

There’s a lot of layers to building a contender and as much as I want to believe we’re almost there, I personally wouldn’t bet on it.

[Knightro]

I really hate to admit this, but Orlando is a lot farther from contending than a lot of the top teams in the East.

Orlando doesn’t just need a high caliber guard to be real serious threat.

They need Paolo play like an all-NBA caliber player.

They need Franz to be in all-star considerations which probably means he’s at least shooting league avg from 3

They need internal development from Mosley and his coaching staff.

We need to find a better supporting cast (not Cory Joseph, Jonathan Isaac, Gary Harris).

There’s a lot of layers to building a contender and as much as I want to believe we’re almost there, I personally wouldn’t bet on it.

I think it all depends on what guard they’re able to acquire primarily.

If they get Reaves without giving up Suggs and can get 65-70 games from their top four guys and have them all healthy for the playoffs, I think they could win multiple series.

Boston and Milwaukee are certainly going to be worse than last year. Significantly so if they both unload pieces like some people expect.

For all this talk about Indiana, they only won 50 games and are one of the flukiest and luckiest teams to ever make the finals.

The Knicks fired their very successful coach and are probably going to make a poor decision in terms of who they pursue in a trade.

It’s wide open for the Magic as far as I’m concerned.

[eyriq]

With ALL things considered I rather have Reaves/Suggs than Garland/KCP (and forming a an even further juggernaut team in the East).

Yeah that and the money.

Garland is $40m there is no way Reaves is worth that after his extension.

Like people here don’t understand the roster is locked in when you are paying 3 players $40m each plus two other marginally decent starters.

Is there a better team in the East than Banchero/Wagner/Garland though?

There is not. That is an immediate contender.

[Idiosyncratic]

I really hate to admit this, but Orlando is a lot farther from contending than a lot of the top teams in the East.

Orlando doesn’t just need a high caliber guard to be real serious threat.

They need Paolo play like an all-NBA caliber player.

They need Franz to be in all-star considerations which probably means he’s at least shooting league avg from 3

They need internal development from Mosley and his coaching staff.

We need to find a better supporting cast (not Cory Joseph, Jonathan Isaac, Gary Harris).

There’s a lot of layers to building a contender and as much as I want to believe we’re almost there, I personally wouldn’t bet on it.

I don't disagree with this. I think the gap between the Magic and Thunder is very massive, but I feel that way about most teams and the Thunder. Doesn't mean you can't beat them in a series though, but they were historically incredible in the regular season. Paolo and Franz definitely need to get better, but I mean that is a given if this team wants to go anywhere anyway, you have to bank on them improving or it is all going to fail regardless.

Compared to the East though I don't see why the Magic can't make noise with a big name PG added. I don't really see any unstoppable juggernauts in the NBA in general except the Thunder and you can't not try just because they exist. Doesn't mean I would trade everything to go all-in right now or anything though, but I think they can acquire someone pretty good if they want and still aim to sustain success for several years.

[VFX]

This is kind of what we were discussing a few weeks ago and why Weltman is backed into a corner.

On one hand you can trade multiple assets for 1 position upgrade that goes $40m against the cap. This limits your ceiling because you are trading rookie scale picks that help you round out a roster.

On the other hand, you can make smaller more methodical deals that round out the roster much like OKC 2-3 seasons ago. You find complimentary players with skill sets that make sense that aren’t all-in on one guy but that takes risk.

So now Weltman is “all-in” but we aren’t sure what that means. Is that finding role players with the correct skillsets? Is that pushing all chips in for Garland resulting in 3 max players?

I lean more toward the OKC model where I like the idea that a smaller market has more flexibility, not less, when it comes to spreading out assets across the roster. He just simply didn’t draft well enough to mimic that blueprint.

[VFX]

Yeah that and the money.

Garland is $40m there is no way Reaves is worth that after his extension.

Like people here don’t understand the roster is locked in when you are paying 3 players $40m each plus two other marginally decent starters.

Is there a better team in the East than Banchero/Wagner/Garland though?

There is not. That is an immediate contender.

Yeah ok.

[Idiosyncratic]

This is kind of what we were discussing a few weeks ago and why Weltman is backed into a corner.

On one hand you can trade multiple assets for 1 position upgrade that goes $40m against the cap. This limits your ceiling because you are trading rookie scale picks that help you round out a roster.

On the other hand, you can make smaller more methodical deals that round out the roster much like OKC 2-3 seasons ago. You find complimentary players with skill sets that make sense that aren’t all-in on one guy but that takes risk.

So now Weltman is “all-in” but we aren’t sure what that means. Is that finding role players with the correct skillsets? Is that pushing all chips in for Garland resulting in 3 max players?

I lean more toward the OKC model where I like the idea that a smaller market has more flexibility, not less, when it comes to spreading out assets across the roster. He just simply didn’t draft well enough to mimic that blueprint.

Yeah I agree with this. Ideally they could have found or still find guard play at an affordable number whether that comes from some draft luck or trading for and unearthing a more inexpensive hidden gem that fits.

So in a sense they are backed into a corner where the guard play has been so bad that they absolutely need a fix now and can't afford as much to try different options. I mean I still would be fine signing a one year deal vet as insurance and trading for a cheaper guy with upside and maybe even using a pick for a guard on top of that. I'm fine going for a more high-end option as well. I think there are a number of ways they can go, but I do agree with what you are saying in general.

I think there are multiple paths that could make sense, going to be interesting to see what they do.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

“Jonathan Isaac’s comeback to be a regular in the rotation should be applauded. But the issue for Orlando is that Isaac feels like a bit of a luxury. He can’t really play more than 20 minutes per game and he’s being paid $15 million. That’s a lot for a low-minutes backup, especially if Wagner is back in the fold.”

Yeah don’t need to hear how Isaac’s contract is so good especially when this is now the 2nd legit source saying it’s not.

[Knightro]

“Jonathan Isaac’s comeback to be a regular in the rotation should be applauded. But the issue for Orlando is that Isaac feels like a bit of a luxury. He can’t really play more than 20 minutes per game and he’s being paid $15 million. That’s a lot for a low-minutes backup, especially if Wagner is back in the fold.”

Yeah don’t need to hear how Isaac’s contract is so good especially when this is now the 2nd legit source saying it’s not.

It’s not a good contract if he doesn’t produce in his minutes obviously.

If he produces like he did in 23-24, it’s absolutely worth it.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

“Jonathan Isaac’s comeback to be a regular in the rotation should be applauded. But the issue for Orlando is that Isaac feels like a bit of a luxury. He can’t really play more than 20 minutes per game and he’s being paid $15 million. That’s a lot for a low-minutes backup, especially if Wagner is back in the fold.”

Yeah don’t need to hear how Isaac’s contract is so good especially when this is now the 2nd legit source saying it’s not.

It’s not a good contract if he doesn’t produce in his minutes obviously.

If he produces like he did in 23-24, it’s absolutely worth it.

Well considering he didn’t come in to start the season in shape and has 0 offensive skills I’m ready to be done with this ride. He’s had 9 years to show improvement and he hasn’t.

[eyriq]

Is there a better team in the East than Banchero/Wagner/Garland though?

There is not. That is an immediate contender.

Yeah ok.

You’re laughing, but you’re glossing over how big the gap is between Garland and Suggs in terms of creation and shot-making. Upgrading from an elite role player to a legitimate offensive engine completely changes the geometry of the floor. Pair that with two All-Star wings and you’re looking at a real contender, not just a fun young team.

[Knightro]

“Jonathan Isaac’s comeback to be a regular in the rotation should be applauded. But the issue for Orlando is that Isaac feels like a bit of a luxury. He can’t really play more than 20 minutes per game and he’s being paid $15 million. That’s a lot for a low-minutes backup, especially if Wagner is back in the fold.”

Yeah don’t need to hear how Isaac’s contract is so good especially when this is now the 2nd legit source saying it’s not.

It’s not a good contract if he doesn’t produce in his minutes obviously.

If he produces like he did in 23-24, it’s absolutely worth it.

Well considering he didn’t come in to start the season in shape and has 0 offensive skills I’m ready to be done with this ride. He’s had 9 years to show improvement and he hasn’t.

That’s one way of looking at it.

Another way would be that Isaac and the organization collectively (and incorrectly) decided he should bulk up in an effort to play a lot more minutes at center and it really screwed him up from the jump.

I think he’ll be back at the lower weight - and he was much more positively impactful defensively after the all-star break as he shed the weight (albeit low minutes) - and be much closer to the guy he was in 23-24.

And the thing is if he doesn’t do that I don’t think that he’s any less valuable in a trade at the deadline than he is right now because I don’t think his value is tied to anything other than his easy to escape contract.

[MasterGMer]

Athletic reported Magic and Lakers want to struck a deal?

Anything credible to that?

That means Reaves?


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[VFX]

There is not. That is an immediate contender.

Yeah ok.

You’re laughing, but you’re glossing over how big the gap is between Garland and Suggs in terms of creation and shot-making. Upgrading from an elite role player to a legitimate offensive engine completely changes the geometry of the floor. Pair that with two All-Star wings and you’re looking at a real contender, not just a fun young team.

Garland, Franz, and Paolo would be the entire team at $40m a player. That means marginal Center, SG, no bench, and limited avenues to acquire one because we would be giving them picks as well as Suggs.

Oh yeah, and 3 teams in the east would still be better than Orlando.