2025 Off-Season Strategy - What will Cronin do?

[Knightro]

So the Magic still have...

2025 1st (25th overall)
2027 1st
2029 1st (Memphis can swap)
2031 1st

This came from the Orlando board mod. I haven’t done (and won’t do) any checks with Steipen rules here if this is accurate, but this is what the Magic still have left from a pick capital standpoint.

This is correct.

But the Magic can't trade any of those picks until after those picks have been made because of the Stepien rules.

[HoopsFanAZ]

As a PG, Simons > Suggs > Black

Simons = Isaac + 25 (after the pick is made)

[DusterBuster]

As a PG, Simons > Suggs > Black

Simons = Isaac + 25 (after the pick is made)

Can the Magic afford that roster tho with Simons, Franz, Bane, Paolo?

And again, while many of us would probably make that deal to break open the PG logjam in Portland, would Cronin? I would venture a guess he hangs up the phone with that offer. This Bane deal is only going to embolden his belief that Simons is worth 2-3 (or more) FRPs.

[dckingsfan]

As a PG, Simons > Suggs > Black

Simons = Isaac + 25 (after the pick is made)

Can the Magic afford that roster tho with Simons, Franz, Bane, Paolo?

And again, while many of us would probably make that deal to break open the PG logjam in Portland, would Cronin? I would venture a guess he hangs up the phone with that offer. This Bane deal is only going to embolden his belief that Simons is worth 2-3 (or more) FRPs.

No, the Magic can't afford all those players. They would have to look at Simons as a one year rental and an expiring deal.

We aren't going to get multiple picks for Simons leading to your correct conclusion that no deal will be made. Add to that - Portland could see themselves moving up in the standings with the Kings and Grizzlies falling and the Blazers and ascending - rational or not.

[Knightro]

I think the ship has sailed on Simons to Orlando.

[Butter]

Orlando Magic Trade for Desmond Bane

https://www.blazersedge.com/2025/6/15/24449707/orlando-magic-trade-desmond-bane-memphis-grizzlies-nba-news-portland-trail-blazers-picks


What!? If the Grizzlies want to make an offer for Deni, they have a LOT of ammo now.

[HoopsFanAZ]

As a PG, Simons > Suggs > Black

Simons = Isaac + 25 (after the pick is made)

Can the Magic afford that roster tho with Simons, Franz, Bane, Paolo?

And again, while many of us would probably make that deal to break open the PG logjam in Portland, would Cronin? I would venture a guess he hangs up the phone with that offer. This Bane deal is only going to embolden his belief that Simons is worth 2-3 (or more) FRPs.

The number of multi-pick trades is finite, and Bane is an actual 2-way SG with better size. ORL has declining contracts on both Suggs and Isaac with only Banchero coming up for big money in a year — max or super-max, so they’ve planned for an expensive starting line-up and are all-in. They’ll have to get their deals done before the Banchero extension hits.

[DusterBuster]

I think the ship has sailed on Simons to Orlando.

We do too.

[Norm2953]

How fascinating it would be if Memphis now offered up much of the bounty from trading Bane to Portland for
Deni?

That is an obscene amount of value they got for Bane

[DeBlazerRiddem]

How fascinating it would be if Memphis now offered up much of the bounty from trading Bane to Portland for
Deni?

That is an obscene amount of value they got for Bane

I wonder if that's where the rumors came from, that Memphis was looking for options to turn that haul into someone more tangible and immediate. Since it was just a 2 team deal announced the Blazers may have turned them down so deal went ahead without us.

I don't think any deals now can be actually completed yet so maybe Portland reconsiders and returns to the negotiating table but I also wouldn't be surprised if the team is happier with Deni than a bunch of mid/late looking firsts.

[DusterBuster]

How fascinating it would be if Memphis now offered up much of the bounty from trading Bane to Portland for
Deni?

That is an obscene amount of value they got for Bane

I wonder if that's where the rumors came from, that Memphis was looking for options to turn that haul into someone more tangible and immediate. Since it was just a 2 team deal announced the Blazers may have turned them down so deal went ahead without us.

I don't think any deals now can be actually completed yet so maybe Portland reconsiders and returns to the negotiating table but I also wouldn't be surprised if the team is happier with Deni than a bunch of mid/late looking firsts.

Some rumblings Memphis wanted KD. Got some assets to work with now.

[Tim Lehrbach]

Simons was never getting traded to Orlando with draft capital coming back to Portland. Why that dream persisted was always beyond me. The Magic needed to, and did, set their sights on somebody who is actually a very good player.

[Case2012]

I wonder if Simons was actually ever on the table? Simons for 16 and Isaac was a no brainer. Bane is obviously better but Simons would have been cheaper UNLESS Joe balked at 2 firsts or something so Orlando pivoted. It was an overpay but they got who they wanted and they got wayyy better, so kudos to them for going out and getting a deal done to support their players. I can't remember a we did that in the last 20 years. Getting guys like Gerald Wallace or Camby all on their death beds by the time they get here.


I would kill to know what those conversations were like with Orlando if they ever took place. We really have the most chicken crap FO.

[PDXKnight]

Orlando Magic Trade for Desmond Bane

https://www.blazersedge.com/2025/6/15/24449707/orlando-magic-trade-desmond-bane-memphis-grizzlies-nba-news-portland-trail-blazers-picks


What!? If the Grizzlies want to make an offer for Deni, they have a LOT of ammo now.

Yeah man. That'd maybe be a win win depending on how highly we value deni.

Desmond is better than ant of course as a 2 way player but honestly not sure why the magic didn't try the same package for deni and run him at the 2, to me hes a superior player

[DeBlazerRiddem]

I wonder if Simons was actually ever on the table? Simons for 16 and Isaac was a no brainer. Bane is obviously better but Simons would have been cheaper UNLESS Joe balked at 2 firsts or something so Orlando pivoted. It was an overpay but they got who they wanted and they got wayyy better, so kudos to them for going out and getting a deal done to support their players. I can't remember a we did that in the last 20 years. Getting guys like Gerald Wallace or Camby all on their death beds by the time they get here.


I would kill to know what those conversations were like with Orlando if they ever took place. We really have the most chicken crap FO.

Orlando tends to over-emphasize defensive players, so it might be they just shut down any conversation around Simons short of us giving him away.

Would you give up the 16th pick for Simons? I probably wouldn't. The 25 would be more comfortable. Of course as Portland I don't take KCP and give Simons for 25 so might be hard to find common ground. But if Orlando could find someone to give us an expiring contract for KCP then Simons for 25+EC is something I would have done at the end of the day, even if obviously I prefer trying for that 16th pick.

I do agree though, I think its generally smart for a team in Orlando's situation to avoid the bargain bin and go out and get the guy they really want, even if you have to overpay, rather than suffering through a lesser option simply because its cheaper. Kudos to them for having the balls to commit, we will see how it works out for them (they still lack a real point guard) but I cannot disagree with the logic of paying more and getting someone you love compared to someone you think is just OK.

[Norm2953]

One would think they would love to dump WCJ and Isaac since they have Bane, Wagner, Suggs on board
will need to pay Paolo next summer

[DusterBuster]

One would think they would love to dump WCJ and Isaac since they have Bane, Wagner, Suggs on board
will need to pay Paolo next summer

They can get out of Isaac's contract any time they want I believe. Has a lot of team options on it and ungaranteed money.

[tester551]

.

I don't think any deals now can be actually completed yet so maybe Portland reconsiders and returns to the negotiating table but I also wouldn't be surprised if the team is happier with Deni than a bunch of mid/late looking firsts.

As long as your team's season is complete, trades can go through...
It's fair game for everyone except OKC and Indiana.

There may be some logistical issues (team/player options or steipen rule regarding picks ) that may delay a trade until later... but the Orlando/Memphis trade can be official tomorrow (when league offices are open)

[Jsun947]

Magic will roll with Suggs, Bane, Wagner, Banchero at the 1-4.

The only other team I think Simon’s would have value on right now is Brooklyn. I’d bet it’s 20-1 Simons gets traded now

[Sinobas]

As a PG, Simons > Suggs > Black

Simons = Isaac + 25 (after the pick is made)

Yeah, I think that might still be in play. Some people think Orlando is out of the market for a PG now, but Bane is a SG and Suggs seems like more of a tweener. Simons is a legit PG.

They could do a 3 man rotation at guard. Issac only plays 15 minutes for them anyway.