Official 2024-2025 Magic Trade ideas thread continued

[dsg2021]

In one way or another, Jonathan Isaac is a massive trade chip for 3 future seasons in a row. If you keep 3 future 1st Round Picks alive and one younger player who just keeps impressing more each season like AB or TDS, then you kind of have an easy “trade for anyone even an All Star” package.

Because one of two things will happen with JI’s contract each season. And it could switch between them each season.

One. He keeps playing more than 52 games a season, the magic number in his contract. He creeps up to 24 MPG and even a bit more in the Playoffs. With the everything must switch defense of the Playoffs, JI keeps his body light and lean and plays the Minister of Defense even more than each previous season. His shooting regresses back to normal league averages. He captures offensive boards and executes cuts that are back-breakers in the Playoffs. Maybe even has a little post up fade or drive going. This version of JI is about an 8% Cap Hit.. in other words ridiculously underpaid for his impact. It feels like he has a top 4 impact on the team many nights.

Two. His impact is somewhere in between. His health and Playoffs maintenance keep him under 52 games some seasons. Maybe he even had an amazing season or two in between this next 4 contract seasons.
But in a season that he plays under 52 games, the conversation around his contract becomes a little bit less about being undervalued during his healthy years, and a little bit more like “Hey, this contract is literally cap space for you guys in a trade proposal.” “And unlike TPE’s and other Exceptions, I can add his contract to other players in the same cap trade.” “I can even maximize the least cap I can send out for the max cap you send to me under normal trading rules”.
In the ‘26 season, he’s basically half guaranteed for 7 mil in cap savings if waived.
In 27, he’s fully unguaranteed for 14.5 mil in cap savings if waived.
In 28, he’s fully unguaranteed for 15 mil in cap savings if waived.

So let’s say he doesn’t quite mathematically reach 52 games in the ‘26 season. He made it in time to be healthy in the Playoffs and had a huge impact though. But now the whole rest of that ‘26 season he becomes a 14.5 mil cap contract in aggregatable trades with zero money guaranteed in ‘27. There is a decent chance every team in the league sees the mathematically fully unguaranteed before the ‘26 trade deadline too. But mainly, every year, his contract is unguaranteed for that 24 hours after the season contracts switch over to the next season (24 hours after the July moratorium ends, that day of mass official free agent signings).


So long story made very short, JI’s contract was built for a summer trade in one very specific 24 hour period to get 7-18 mil in instant cap space relief. That is, if he wasn’t so damn impactful on the court most seasons as is.

[jezzerinho]

3 trades to get us to the top of the East.
Trade #1 Magic/Nets
Cole, Jett and #46 for Future 2nd
A pure salary dump for Orlando and Cole/Jett get a chance to shine in Brooklyn.

Trade #2 Magic/Lakers
KCP, Goga and Black for Reaves, Vincent and Kleber.
Lakers get solid vets to go around LeBron and Luka while the magic get a shot creator in Reaves while also bringing back only expiring deals.

Trade #3 Magic/Kings
JI and rights to the 25th pick for Monk.
We get a much needed 6th man who also can play starter minutes as needed. Kings get a stud defender with an easy contract to get out of if needed.

So you reshape the roster with more shot creation and get out of some unproductive contracts. You create space to resign Moe and some other solid ring chasing vets.

Starters:
Reaves
Suggs
Franz
Paolo
Dell
Bench: Monk, Moe, TDS, 16th pick(Coward), Houstan and whatever ring chasing vets that want to join.

Losing Black was a tough pill to swallow in this scenario but getting Monk back to lead the bench makes that easier. Plus having Monk is an insurance policy if Reaves asks for to much on his extension. Another thing to consider is with all this extra scoring punch it might be harder for Paolo to get the super max which is a decent amount of money in savings. Not trying to take money out of pockets but when the number crunch happens every dollar counts.

Thoughts?

I don't know if the Lakers do it, but that's a very lucid, sensible, realistic scenario for an Orlando offseason. Finding one or two cheap backups like we did when we first snagged Goga is key.

If I go for an offense-first starter like Reaves, but also get in an offense-first bench guard in Monk, I'm giving Mose a tough job to keep a decent defence in the postseason. Cole couldnt find the floor for that reason. But overall it's probably a gamble worth taking.

[basketballRob]

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[VFX]

I’m fine with Weltman making decisions, like moving Suggs, if it means he is balancing the roster for the better down the line. The two things I’m not ok with in that statement is either adding another max salary player, or pulling a Hennigan panic move that further limits the foreseeable future. I kind of consider both of those things to be relatively in line with each other for different reasons really.

Even if the max salary player is a lot better than Suggs…

And it’s not like Suggs is exactly cheap the next two years anyway. He’s gonna make $67.5M.

Are we that terrified of adding $13M in salary over the next two years on a vastly superior player?

Are we concerned about the finances *three* years from now when KCP, Goga, Jett and Isaac (if they want him to be) are all off the books?

It’s crazy to me that you don’t get this after years of reading my posts here.

I DO NOT TRUST WELTMAN.

I do not think he’s capable of rounding out a roster with late draft picks or finding valued players on the fringes through trades that make sense. Why? Because he hasn’t done it in seasons where he wasn’t restricted by cap obligations his entire tenure.

There is no Andrew Nembhard on this roster that exceeded expectations after being selected with the 31st pick.

There is no Obi Toppin type player that was traded for with two second round picks that plays damn near 20mpg in the playoffs.

There is no Aaron Nesmith type player that exceeded expectations as a throw in from another trade that comes off the bench hitting huge shots playing 25-30mpg.

He’s had 8+ years to find players and make deals like that to find value for non drafted star players. I’m not talking about Siakam, Haliburton, or Turner here either obviously in this example.

Goga is Weltmans only good find and he is relegated to playing no minutes in the playoffs as a third option Center.

So no, trading Suggs and multiple firsts for Garland isn’t ideal to me. Why? Because I don’t trust Weltman to do the work necessary to find players like the ones I listed to round out a roster under financial constraints within a 1.5 years time when Paolo is handed a max. This team with 3 max players makes that increasingly more difficult especially without moving KCP.

You are looking at “3 years from now” like all decisions fit within the timeframe of one offseason and I know you know that’s not how things work. These things are incremental over years with multiple transactions. You don’t just draw up some hypothetical trade scenarios for one total offseason because they are convenient in that exact moment.

[Knightro]

I’m fine with Weltman making decisions, like moving Suggs, if it means he is balancing the roster for the better down the line. The two things I’m not ok with in that statement is either adding another max salary player, or pulling a Hennigan panic move that further limits the foreseeable future. I kind of consider both of those things to be relatively in line with each other for different reasons really.

Even if the max salary player is a lot better than Suggs…

And it’s not like Suggs is exactly cheap the next two years anyway. He’s gonna make $67.5M.

Are we that terrified of adding $13M in salary over the next two years on a vastly superior player?

Are we concerned about the finances *three* years from now when KCP, Goga, Jett and Isaac (if they want him to be) are all off the books?

It’s crazy to me that you don’t get this after years of reading my posts here.

I DO NOT TRUST WELTMAN.

I do not think he’s capable of rounding out a roster with late draft picks or finding valued players on the fringes through trades that make sense. Why? Because he hasn’t done it in seasons where he wasn’t restricted by cap obligations his entire tenure.

There is no Andrew Nembhard on this roster that exceeded expectations after being selected with the 31st pick.

There is no Obi Toppin type player that was traded for with two second round picks that plays damn near 20mpg in the playoffs.

There is no Aaron Nesmith type player that exceeded expectations as a throw in from another trade that comes off the bench hitting huge shots playing 25-30mpg.

He’s had 8+ years to find players and make deals like that to find value for non drafted star players. I’m not talking about Siakam, Haliburton, or Turner here either obviously in this example.

Goga is Weltmans only good find and he is relegated to playing no minutes in the playoffs as a third option Center.

So no, trading Suggs and multiple firsts for Garland isn’t ideal to me. Why? Because I don’t trust Weltman to do the work necessary to find players like the ones I listed to round out a roster under financial constraints within a 1.5 years time when Paolo is handed a max. This team with 3 max players makes that increasingly more difficult especially without moving KCP.

You are looking at “3 years from now” like all decisions fit within the timeframe of one offseason and I know you know that’s not how things work. These things are incremental over years with multiple transactions. You don’t just draw up some hypothetical trade scenarios for one total offseason because they are convenient in that exact moment.

I get it. You’re just arguing a different thing than you think.

“I don’t trust the GM to execute the strategy.”

And

“I fundamentally disagree with the strategy.”

Willing choosing a worse strategy because you don’t trust the current GM to execute a more optimal one is a horrendous idea.

[VFX]

Even if the max salary player is a lot better than Suggs…

And it’s not like Suggs is exactly cheap the next two years anyway. He’s gonna make $67.5M.

Are we that terrified of adding $13M in salary over the next two years on a vastly superior player?

Are we concerned about the finances *three* years from now when KCP, Goga, Jett and Isaac (if they want him to be) are all off the books?

It’s crazy to me that you don’t get this after years of reading my posts here.

I DO NOT TRUST WELTMAN.

I do not think he’s capable of rounding out a roster with late draft picks or finding valued players on the fringes through trades that make sense. Why? Because he hasn’t done it in seasons where he wasn’t restricted by cap obligations his entire tenure.

There is no Andrew Nembhard on this roster that exceeded expectations after being selected with the 31st pick.

There is no Obi Toppin type player that was traded for with two second round picks that plays damn near 20mpg in the playoffs.

There is no Aaron Nesmith type player that exceeded expectations as a throw in from another trade that comes off the bench hitting huge shots playing 25-30mpg.

He’s had 8+ years to find players and make deals like that to find value for non drafted star players. I’m not talking about Siakam, Haliburton, or Turner here either obviously in this example.

Goga is Weltmans only good find and he is relegated to playing no minutes in the playoffs as a third option Center.

So no, trading Suggs and multiple firsts for Garland isn’t ideal to me. Why? Because I don’t trust Weltman to do the work necessary to find players like the ones I listed to round out a roster under financial constraints within a 1.5 years time when Paolo is handed a max. This team with 3 max players makes that increasingly more difficult especially without moving KCP.

You are looking at “3 years from now” like all decisions fit within the timeframe of one offseason and I know you know that’s not how things work. These things are incremental over years with multiple transactions. You don’t just draw up some hypothetical trade scenarios for one total offseason because they are convenient in that exact moment.

I get it. You’re just arguing a different thing than you think.

“I don’t trust the GM to execute the strategy.”

And

“I fundamentally disagree with the strategy.”

Willing choosing a worse strategy because you don’t trust the current GM to execute a more optimal one is a horrendous idea.

No?

It’s twofold. 3 max players + KCP with the added bonus of trading multiple useful picks, combined with Suggs, would be difficult for any GM to pull off rounding out a roster. With Weltman it would be like fighting someone with both hands tied behind your back.

You believe it’s a good strategy because you are looking at the asset returning as more positive on paper despite not factoring in the money PLUS PICKS in this hypothetical trade. Picks that can be used elsewhere. Garland straight up for Suggs isn’t in the equation unfortunately.

Now, if you told me KCP, AB, Goga, and a pick for Reaves and Hachimura, then fine assuming Reaves is signing for $32m or something. That’s called moving assets that you are not maximizing for assets that you will. It also doesn’t give a conference rival an elite defender to pair with their star in the back court.

So I disagree with the strategy and I don’t trust that Weltman can maximize the roster after the fact.

[orlando_joe]

I’m fine with Weltman making decisions, like moving Suggs, if it means he is balancing the roster for the better down the line. The two things I’m not ok with in that statement is either adding another max salary player, or pulling a Hennigan panic move that further limits the foreseeable future. I kind of consider both of those things to be relatively in line with each other for different reasons really.

Even if the max salary player is a lot better than Suggs…

And it’s not like Suggs is exactly cheap the next two years anyway. He’s gonna make $67.5M.

Are we that terrified of adding $13M in salary over the next two years on a vastly superior player?

Are we concerned about the finances *three* years from now when KCP, Goga, Jett and Isaac (if they want him to be) are all off the books?

It’s crazy to me that you don’t get this after years of reading my posts here.

I DO NOT TRUST WELTMAN.

I do not think he’s capable of rounding out a roster with late draft picks or finding valued players on the fringes through trades that make sense. Why? Because he hasn’t done it in seasons where he wasn’t restricted by cap obligations his entire tenure.

There is no Andrew Nembhard on this roster that exceeded expectations after being selected with the 31st pick.

There is no Obi Toppin type player that was traded for with two second round picks that plays damn near 20mpg in the playoffs.

There is no Aaron Nesmith type player that exceeded expectations as a throw in from another trade that comes off the bench hitting huge shots playing 25-30mpg.

He’s had 8+ years to find players and make deals like that to find value for non drafted star players. I’m not talking about Siakam, Haliburton, or Turner here either obviously in this example.

Goga is Weltmans only good find and he is relegated to playing no minutes in the playoffs as a third option Center.

So no, trading Suggs and multiple firsts for Garland isn’t ideal to me. Why? Because I don’t trust Weltman to do the work necessary to find players like the ones I listed to round out a roster under financial constraints within a 1.5 years time when Paolo is handed a max. This team with 3 max players makes that increasingly more difficult especially without moving KCP.

You are looking at “3 years from now” like all decisions fit within the timeframe of one offseason and I know you know that’s not how things work. These things are incremental over years with multiple transactions. You don’t just draw up some hypothetical trade scenarios for one total offseason because they are convenient in that exact moment.

well there is a moe wagner on the team
well there is a goga on the team
well there is houstan on the team

[Knightro]

It’s crazy to me that you don’t get this after years of reading my posts here.

I DO NOT TRUST WELTMAN.

I do not think he’s capable of rounding out a roster with late draft picks or finding valued players on the fringes through trades that make sense. Why? Because he hasn’t done it in seasons where he wasn’t restricted by cap obligations his entire tenure.

There is no Andrew Nembhard on this roster that exceeded expectations after being selected with the 31st pick.

There is no Obi Toppin type player that was traded for with two second round picks that plays damn near 20mpg in the playoffs.

There is no Aaron Nesmith type player that exceeded expectations as a throw in from another trade that comes off the bench hitting huge shots playing 25-30mpg.

He’s had 8+ years to find players and make deals like that to find value for non drafted star players. I’m not talking about Siakam, Haliburton, or Turner here either obviously in this example.

Goga is Weltmans only good find and he is relegated to playing no minutes in the playoffs as a third option Center.

So no, trading Suggs and multiple firsts for Garland isn’t ideal to me. Why? Because I don’t trust Weltman to do the work necessary to find players like the ones I listed to round out a roster under financial constraints within a 1.5 years time when Paolo is handed a max. This team with 3 max players makes that increasingly more difficult especially without moving KCP.

You are looking at “3 years from now” like all decisions fit within the timeframe of one offseason and I know you know that’s not how things work. These things are incremental over years with multiple transactions. You don’t just draw up some hypothetical trade scenarios for one total offseason because they are convenient in that exact moment.

I get it. You’re just arguing a different thing than you think.

“I don’t trust the GM to execute the strategy.”

And

“I fundamentally disagree with the strategy.”

Willing choosing a worse strategy because you don’t trust the current GM to execute a more optimal one is a horrendous idea.

No?

It’s twofold. 3 max players + KCP with the added bonus of trading multiple useful picks, combined with Suggs, would be difficult for any GM to pull off rounding out a roster. With Weltman it would be like fighting someone with both hands tied behind your back.l.

Not all “max” contracts are the same though. Paying three 25% max deals is not untenable with the aprons rising quicker than the contracts rise (10% v. 8%).

The Celtics are in a bad spot because Brown and Tatum are both on 35% max deals. Franz and Garland are 25% and Paolo may very well be 25% too. You’re talking 70% on two guys versus 75% on three guys.

And KCP only has two years left on his deal so his contract and Paolo‘s contract will only overlap for one year.

There’s one year of significant financial pain coming no matter what they do and that’s 26-27. However, if they play their cards right this upcoming year does not have to be a tax year at all and beyond 26–27 should be mostly fine too.

[CocoaFan]

3 trades to get us to the top of the East.
Trade #1 Magic/Nets
Cole, Jett and #46 for Future 2nd
A pure salary dump for Orlando and Cole/Jett get a chance to shine in Brooklyn.

Trade #2 Magic/Lakers
KCP, Goga and Black for Reaves, Vincent and Kleber.
Lakers get solid vets to go around LeBron and Luka while the magic get a shot creator in Reaves while also bringing back only expiring deals.

Trade #3 Magic/Kings
JI and rights to the 25th pick for Monk.
We get a much needed 6th man who also can play starter minutes as needed. Kings get a stud defender with an easy contract to get out of if needed.

So you reshape the roster with more shot creation and get out of some unproductive contracts. You create space to resign Moe and some other solid ring chasing vets.

Starters:
Reaves
Suggs
Franz
Paolo
Dell
Bench: Monk, Moe, TDS, 16th pick(Coward), Houstan and whatever ring chasing vets that want to join.

Losing Black was a tough pill to swallow in this scenario but getting Monk back to lead the bench makes that easier. Plus having Monk is an insurance policy if Reaves asks for to much on his extension. Another thing to consider is with all this extra scoring punch it might be harder for Paolo to get the super max which is a decent amount of money in savings. Not trying to take money out of pockets but when the number crunch happens every dollar counts.

Thoughts?

I love the outcome but I don't think trades 1 and 3 are realistic. I definitely don't think Sac would trade Monk for Isaac and #25. I think it would take something more like Isaac + Jett + #16 to get it done. With the Nets I don't know why they'd give up cap space for that return. Good thoughts though and the outcome would be great if that happened.

[pepe1991]

Look, it all boils down to simple question:
how much and for how many years owners are willing to pay luxury tax (and repetitive luxury tax)

You ain't winning jack $...t without being ready to pay big money.

Team will get expensive in one way or another anyway. Like, you think retaining Black after 2026-27 will be cheap ? You can bet that some Nets will be throwing 4 years $100M on him as they still have nothing going for them nor have any serious money invested anywhere.

[Knightro]

Look, it all boils down to simple question:
how much and for how many years owners are willing to pay luxury tax (and repetitive luxury tax)

You ain't winning jack $...t without being ready to pay big money.

Team will get expensive in one way or another anyway. Like, you think retaining Black after 2026-27 will be cheap ? You can bet that some Nets will be throwing 4 years $100M on him as they still have nothing going for them nor have any serious money invested anywhere.

This is 100% absolutely correct. If the Magic want to contend for the NBA championship at any point over the next five years, they have to be willing to pay a significant tax bill to make that a reality.

And if they’re not willing to do that, then you can go ahead and forget about contending for the championship realistically.

You have to basically have a perfect storm of luck/flukieness in your favor or have your rebuild jumped started by one of the greatest trades in NBA history to be able to win a championship without being in the tax.

[Airgordon00]

3 trades to get us to the top of the East.
Trade #1 Magic/Nets
Cole, Jett and #46 for Future 2nd
A pure salary dump for Orlando and Cole/Jett get a chance to shine in Brooklyn.

Trade #2 Magic/Lakers
KCP, Goga and Black for Reaves, Vincent and Kleber.
Lakers get solid vets to go around LeBron and Luka while the magic get a shot creator in Reaves while also bringing back only expiring deals.

Trade #3 Magic/Kings
JI and rights to the 25th pick for Monk.
We get a much needed 6th man who also can play starter minutes as needed. Kings get a stud defender with an easy contract to get out of if needed.

So you reshape the roster with more shot creation and get out of some unproductive contracts. You create space to resign Moe and some other solid ring chasing vets.

Starters:
Reaves
Suggs
Franz
Paolo
Dell
Bench: Monk, Moe, TDS, 16th pick(Coward), Houstan and whatever ring chasing vets that want to join.

Losing Black was a tough pill to swallow in this scenario but getting Monk back to lead the bench makes that easier. Plus having Monk is an insurance policy if Reaves asks for to much on his extension. Another thing to consider is with all this extra scoring punch it might be harder for Paolo to get the super max which is a decent amount of money in savings. Not trying to take money out of pockets but when the number crunch happens every dollar counts.

Thoughts?

I don't know if the Lakers do it, but that's a very lucid, sensible, realistic scenario for an Orlando offseason. Finding one or two cheap backups like we did when we first snagged Goga is key.

If I go for an offense-first starter like Reaves, but also get in an offense-first bench guard in Monk, I'm giving Mose a tough job to keep a decent defence in the postseason. Cole couldnt find the floor for that reason. But overall it's probably a gamble worth taking.

Yeah I wasn’t sure if they would bite on something like this, but I figured with him needing extension soon that they’re gonna have to make a decision one way or the other. I figured this trade gives them 3 starters for one. Yeah defense definitely will take a hit but if we still can manage to be top 10 with that squad our offense would hopefully be significantly better.

[Airgordon00]

3 trades to get us to the top of the East.
Trade #1 Magic/Nets
Cole, Jett and #46 for Future 2nd
A pure salary dump for Orlando and Cole/Jett get a chance to shine in Brooklyn.

Trade #2 Magic/Lakers
KCP, Goga and Black for Reaves, Vincent and Kleber.
Lakers get solid vets to go around LeBron and Luka while the magic get a shot creator in Reaves while also bringing back only expiring deals.

Trade #3 Magic/Kings
JI and rights to the 25th pick for Monk.
We get a much needed 6th man who also can play starter minutes as needed. Kings get a stud defender with an easy contract to get out of if needed.

So you reshape the roster with more shot creation and get out of some unproductive contracts. You create space to resign Moe and some other solid ring chasing vets.

Starters:
Reaves
Suggs
Franz
Paolo
Dell
Bench: Monk, Moe, TDS, 16th pick(Coward), Houstan and whatever ring chasing vets that want to join.

Losing Black was a tough pill to swallow in this scenario but getting Monk back to lead the bench makes that easier. Plus having Monk is an insurance policy if Reaves asks for to much on his extension. Another thing to consider is with all this extra scoring punch it might be harder for Paolo to get the super max which is a decent amount of money in savings. Not trying to take money out of pockets but when the number crunch happens every dollar counts.

Thoughts?

I love the outcome but I don't think trades 1 and 3 are realistic. I definitely don't think Sac would trade Monk for Isaac and #25. I think it would take something more like Isaac + Jett + #16 to get it done. With the Nets I don't know why they'd give up cap space for that return. Good thoughts though and the outcome would be great if that happened.

Yeah I wasn’t quite sure with value on that one. I would think hard about doing your adjusted deal and probably pull the trigger but I am a fan of monk’s game. The Nets trade I was hoping since Jett’s dad is on the team and Cole is a local boy that they might be willing to take flyers on them. But I was struggling with thinking how many 2nd rd. Picks to throw in to make the value fair.

[BCS]

It seems like I am in the minority, but without Boston, I believe we are one 20 ppg consistent/reliable scorer from being one of the top teams in the east next year. 17-6 record when we had at least 3 score 20 or more pts says a lot.

But on another note, I have an unrealistic crazy idea and was wondering what people's thoughts would be. Let's say we have a 2 step plan, disregarding picks.

Step 1: Trade KCP + Cole for CJ Mccollum, extend him to a 1 + 1 team option for around $30m. Make sure we are under the aprons for next season as well for flexibility

Step 2: In 2026-27, sign and trade CJ, Wcj, jett or whatever salary filler needed for Luka.

This would mean we likely have to fill out the rest of the roster with only minimum contracts, and we still will likely be above the second apron. The feedback I am interested in for this unlikely scenario, is, do we feel that a Luka, Paolo, Franz, Suggs led roster filled with min contract players can be competitive?



Sent from my SM-A716U using RealGM mobile app

[Magic_Johnny12]

It seems like I am in the minority, but without Boston, I believe we are one 20 ppg consistent/reliable scorer from being one of the top teams in the east next year. 17-6 record when we had at least 3 score 20 or more pts says a lot.

But on another note, I have an unrealistic crazy idea and was wondering what people's thoughts would be. Let's say we have a 2 step plan, disregarding picks.

Step 1: Trade KCP + Cole for CJ Mccollum, extend him to a 1 + 1 team option for around $30m. Make sure we are under the aprons for next season as well for flexibility

Step 2: In 2026-27, sign and trade CJ, Wcj, jett or whatever salary filler needed for Luka.

This would mean we likely have to fill out the rest of the roster with only minimum contracts, and we still will likely be above the second apron. The feedback I am interested in for this unlikely scenario, is, do we feel that a Luka, Paolo, Franz, Suggs led roster filled with min contract players can be competitive?



Sent from my SM-A716U using RealGM mobile app

Is this a real life scenario or 2K?

[BCS]

It seems like I am in the minority, but without Boston, I believe we are one 20 ppg consistent/reliable scorer from being one of the top teams in the east next year. 17-6 record when we had at least 3 score 20 or more pts says a lot.

But on another note, I have an unrealistic crazy idea and was wondering what people's thoughts would be. Let's say we have a 2 step plan, disregarding picks.

Step 1: Trade KCP + Cole for CJ Mccollum, extend him to a 1 + 1 team option for around $30m. Make sure we are under the aprons for next season as well for flexibility

Step 2: In 2026-27, sign and trade CJ, Wcj, jett or whatever salary filler needed for Luka.

This would mean we likely have to fill out the rest of the roster with only minimum contracts, and we still will likely be above the second apron. The feedback I am interested in for this unlikely scenario, is, do we feel that a Luka, Paolo, Franz, Suggs led roster filled with min contract players can be competitive?



Sent from my SM-A716U using RealGM mobile app

Is this a real life scenario or 2K?

Real as it is financially possible, but 2k because ownership will not do it. Big tax hit and cripples your flexibility as it takes you over the aprons filling the roster. Question is, can those 4 compete with filling the roster with min vet players.

Sent from my SM-A716U using RealGM mobile app

[RichCollab]

New CBA is now in full effect. 3 max contracts are impossible moving forward even the teams that don’t care about the tax. Stop with nonsense

St

[cedric76]

I get it. You’re just arguing a different thing than you think.

“I don’t trust the GM to execute the strategy.”

And

“I fundamentally disagree with the strategy.”

Willing choosing a worse strategy because you don’t trust the current GM to execute a more optimal one is a horrendous idea.

No?

It’s twofold. 3 max players + KCP with the added bonus of trading multiple useful picks, combined with Suggs, would be difficult for any GM to pull off rounding out a roster. With Weltman it would be like fighting someone with both hands tied behind your back.l.

Not all “max” contracts are the same though. Paying three 25% max deals is not untenable with the aprons rising quicker than the contracts rise (10% v. 8%).

The Celtics are in a bad spot because Brown and Tatum are both on 35% max deals. Franz and Garland are 25% and Paolo may very well be 25% too. You’re talking 70% on two guys versus 75% on three guys.

And KCP only has two years left on his deal so his contract and Paolo‘s contract will only overlap for one year.

There’s one year of significant financial pain coming no matter what they do and that’s 26-27. However, if they play their cards right this upcoming year does not have to be a tax year at all and beyond 26–27 should be mostly fine too.

I rarely agree with knightbro but he is right, people like SFX keep complaining about jeff but have no clue on how CBA works.

How can you criticize someone that is more competent than you?

[basketballRob]

It seems like I am in the minority, but without Boston, I believe we are one 20 ppg consistent/reliable scorer from being one of the top teams in the east next year. 17-6 record when we had at least 3 score 20 or more pts says a lot.

But on another note, I have an unrealistic crazy idea and was wondering what people's thoughts would be. Let's say we have a 2 step plan, disregarding picks.

Step 1: Trade KCP + Cole for CJ Mccollum, extend him to a 1 + 1 team option for around $30m. Make sure we are under the aprons for next season as well for flexibility

Step 2: In 2026-27, sign and trade CJ, Wcj, jett or whatever salary filler needed for Luka.

This would mean we likely have to fill out the rest of the roster with only minimum contracts, and we still will likely be above the second apron. The feedback I am interested in for this unlikely scenario, is, do we feel that a Luka, Paolo, Franz, Suggs led roster filled with min contract players can be competitive?



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Is this a real life scenario or 2K?

Real as it is financially possible, but 2k because ownership will not do it. Big tax hit and cripples your flexibility as it takes you over the aprons filling the roster. Question is, can those 4 compete with filling the roster with min vet players.

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I think I prefer Ant or SGA over Luka. They fit the team better.

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[VFX]

No?

It’s twofold. 3 max players + KCP with the added bonus of trading multiple useful picks, combined with Suggs, would be difficult for any GM to pull off rounding out a roster. With Weltman it would be like fighting someone with both hands tied behind your back.l.

Not all “max” contracts are the same though. Paying three 25% max deals is not untenable with the aprons rising quicker than the contracts rise (10% v. 8%).

The Celtics are in a bad spot because Brown and Tatum are both on 35% max deals. Franz and Garland are 25% and Paolo may very well be 25% too. You’re talking 70% on two guys versus 75% on three guys.

And KCP only has two years left on his deal so his contract and Paolo‘s contract will only overlap for one year.

There’s one year of significant financial pain coming no matter what they do and that’s 26-27. However, if they play their cards right this upcoming year does not have to be a tax year at all and beyond 26–27 should be mostly fine too.

I rarely agree with knightbro but he is right, people like SFX keep complaining about jeff but have no clue on how CBA works.

How can you criticize someone that is more competent than you?

Check the highest rated post (most +1'd) on this exact thread and let me know who is actually the joke on this forum.

In nearly a decade on this forum you have said nothing of value.

16k posts of nothing that nobody agrees with for 20 years is impressive.