The East is WIDE OPEN next season

[YogurtProducer]

Orlando was one of the most injured teams this year.

Suggs missed 47 games
Paolo missed 36 games
Franz missed 22 games

They won 47 games the year prior, as a young, inexperienced team. If healthy next season, they will easily win 50+ games.

By all metrics that 47 win Orlando team overachieved. 16th in SRS, 14th in NRTG, 12th in wins.

They had a 21-25 record when Paolo played - the injury excuse only goes so far.

They are still a poor shooting, great defensive, team who have injury concerns everywhere, guys returning from major injuries, and decent but not incredible depth.

Like I said - not ready to write them into a top 3 seed yet. Not convinced they will be better than Detroit.

Franz-Paolo-Suggs played a total of 6 games together in 2024-25. The injuries aren't an excuse. They were the reality of their season, and they still managed to finish with a .500 record. Now they've added Bane, who plugs the biggest hole in their roster (lack of 3pt shooting). I'd bet a large sum of money that they win 50+ games and finish ahead of Detroit next season, if both teams are healthy.

I just gotta say - this argument being made for other teams but being shut down repeatedly (including by you) regarding the Raptors health over the last few seasons is incredible. Like actually incredible.


But lets pump the breaks on Bane's major difference.

Going out the door was KCP and Anthony, the guys who were 1st and 5th in Orlando in 3PM last season. They took 7.6 3's a night at a 35% clip. Bane last year took 6.1 3's per night at a 39.2% clip.

Orlando really didn't fix to much with this addition. They replaced their best 3 point shooter with a superior shooter, but also lost their 2nd highest volume 3 point guy off the bench.

Like realistically, this is a team (as of right now) that has a grand total of 1 guy (Bane) in their entire rotation who can hit the 3. And teams are going to be able to defend that, just as teams defended KCP who saw his 3 point % drop from >40% his last 4 seasons to 34% this season.

So overall, they didn't really fix jack ****. This is a team that is going into next year as;:

Suggs/Black
Bane/Howard
Wagner/Da Silva
Banchero/Isaac
Carter/Wagner

That is a whopping 1 player who shot above league average last year from 3. Most of the guys were not even close.

Wagner 29.5%
Paolo 32.0%
Suggs 31.4%
WCJ 23.4%

Black 31.8%
Howard 29.6%
Da Silva 33.5%
Isaac 25.8%
Wagner 36.0%

So honestly - I don't really know how much better they got. They are relying a TON on internal development. They are literally a worse fitting roster than our 2023-ish raptors were.

[Raps in 4]

By all metrics that 47 win Orlando team overachieved. 16th in SRS, 14th in NRTG, 12th in wins.

They had a 21-25 record when Paolo played - the injury excuse only goes so far.

They are still a poor shooting, great defensive, team who have injury concerns everywhere, guys returning from major injuries, and decent but not incredible depth.

Like I said - not ready to write them into a top 3 seed yet. Not convinced they will be better than Detroit.

Franz-Paolo-Suggs played a total of 6 games together in 2024-25. The injuries aren't an excuse. They were the reality of their season, and they still managed to finish with a .500 record. Now they've added Bane, who plugs the biggest hole in their roster (lack of 3pt shooting). I'd bet a large sum of money that they win 50+ games and finish ahead of Detroit next season, if both teams are healthy.

I just gotta say - this argument being made for other teams but being shut down repeatedly (including by you) regarding the Raptors health over the last few seasons is incredible. Like actually incredible.


But lets pump the breaks on Bane's major difference.

Going out the door was KCP and Anthony, the guys who were 1st and 5th in Orlando in 3PM last season. They took 7.6 3's a night at a 35% clip. Bane last year took 6.1 3's per night at a 39.2% clip.

Orlando really didn't fix to much with this addition. They replaced their best 3 point shooter with a superior shooter, but also lost their 2nd highest volume 3 point guy off the bench.

Like realistically, this is a team (as of right now) that has a grand total of 1 guy (Bane) in their entire rotation who can hit the 3. And teams are going to be able to defend that, just as teams defended KCP who saw his 3 point % drop from >40% his last 4 seasons to 34% this season.

So overall, they didn't really fix jack ****. This is a team that is going into next year as;:

Suggs/Black
Bane/Howard
Wagner/Da Silva
Banchero/Isaac
Carter/Wagner

That is a whopping 1 player who shot above league average last year from 3. Most of the guys were not even close.

Wagner 29.5%
Paolo 32.0%
Suggs 31.4%
WCJ 23.4%

Black 31.8%
Howard 29.6%
Da Silva 33.5%
Isaac 25.8%
Wagner 36.0%

So honestly - I don't really know how much better they got. They are relying a TON on internal development. They are literally a worse fitting roster than our 2023-ish raptors were.

Bane had 8.6 3PA the year before that on 38.1%. He can increase his volume if needed. Yes, it was only for half a season, but 42 games is still a decent sample size.

Also, I've consistently maintained that the Raptors are better than their record indicates. I predicated we'd win 38-42 games before last season started. I wasn't a fan of us winning that many games because it would sabotage our rebuild. Injuries saved the day.

I also think Orlando is significantly better than we are. Franz is further along in his development as a scorer than Scottie is, while also being a good defender. Suggs has also become a very good role player. Paolo is the biggest question mark on their roster. He'll never be a good defender, but if he can work on his shot, he'll have a role on their team. He's still young enough that you can reasonably expect development from him.

Unless we see Scottie or someone else (like JaKobe or Dick) take a major leap, I see us finishing somewhere in the mid-to-high 40s in terms of wins this season.

[mack_435]

By all metrics that 47 win Orlando team overachieved. 16th in SRS, 14th in NRTG, 12th in wins.

They had a 21-25 record when Paolo played - the injury excuse only goes so far.

They are still a poor shooting, great defensive, team who have injury concerns everywhere, guys returning from major injuries, and decent but not incredible depth.

Like I said - not ready to write them into a top 3 seed yet. Not convinced they will be better than Detroit.

Franz-Paolo-Suggs played a total of 6 games together in 2024-25. The injuries aren't an excuse. They were the reality of their season, and they still managed to finish with a .500 record. Now they've added Bane, who plugs the biggest hole in their roster (lack of 3pt shooting). I'd bet a large sum of money that they win 50+ games and finish ahead of Detroit next season, if both teams are healthy.

I just gotta say - this argument being made for other teams but being shut down repeatedly (including by you) regarding the Raptors health over the last few seasons is incredible. Like actually incredible.


But lets pump the breaks on Bane's major difference.

Going out the door was KCP and Anthony, the guys who were 1st and 5th in Orlando in 3PM last season. They took 7.6 3's a night at a 35% clip. Bane last year took 6.1 3's per night at a 39.2% clip.

Orlando really didn't fix to much with this addition. They replaced their best 3 point shooter with a superior shooter, but also lost their 2nd highest volume 3 point guy off the bench.

Like realistically, this is a team (as of right now) that has a grand total of 1 guy (Bane) in their entire rotation who can hit the 3. And teams are going to be able to defend that, just as teams defended KCP who saw his 3 point % drop from >40% his last 4 seasons to 34% this season.

So overall, they didn't really fix jack ****. This is a team that is going into next year as;:

Suggs/Black
Bane/Howard
Wagner/Da Silva
Banchero/Isaac
Carter/Wagner

That is a whopping 1 player who shot above league average last year from 3. Most of the guys were not even close.

Wagner 29.5%
Paolo 32.0%
Suggs 31.4%
WCJ 23.4%

Black 31.8%
Howard 29.6%
Da Silva 33.5%
Isaac 25.8%
Wagner 36.0%

So honestly - I don't really know how much better they got. They are relying a TON on internal development. They are literally a worse fitting roster than our 2023-ish raptors were.

All their starters shot well below their career averages last year from 3. Their roster has more youth and upside than any other team in the east.
Paolo is 22, Wagner is 23, Suggs is 24, Carter is 26, and Bane is 27.

[deck]

BI epically played through a broken wrist.

[JB7]

Franz-Paolo-Suggs played a total of 6 games together in 2024-25. The injuries aren't an excuse. They were the reality of their season, and they still managed to finish with a .500 record. Now they've added Bane, who plugs the biggest hole in their roster (lack of 3pt shooting). I'd bet a large sum of money that they win 50+ games and finish ahead of Detroit next season, if both teams are healthy.

I just gotta say - this argument being made for other teams but being shut down repeatedly (including by you) regarding the Raptors health over the last few seasons is incredible. Like actually incredible.


But lets pump the breaks on Bane's major difference.

Going out the door was KCP and Anthony, the guys who were 1st and 5th in Orlando in 3PM last season. They took 7.6 3's a night at a 35% clip. Bane last year took 6.1 3's per night at a 39.2% clip.

Orlando really didn't fix to much with this addition. They replaced their best 3 point shooter with a superior shooter, but also lost their 2nd highest volume 3 point guy off the bench.

Like realistically, this is a team (as of right now) that has a grand total of 1 guy (Bane) in their entire rotation who can hit the 3. And teams are going to be able to defend that, just as teams defended KCP who saw his 3 point % drop from >40% his last 4 seasons to 34% this season.

So overall, they didn't really fix jack ****. This is a team that is going into next year as;:

Suggs/Black
Bane/Howard
Wagner/Da Silva
Banchero/Isaac
Carter/Wagner

That is a whopping 1 player who shot above league average last year from 3. Most of the guys were not even close.

Wagner 29.5%
Paolo 32.0%
Suggs 31.4%
WCJ 23.4%

Black 31.8%
Howard 29.6%
Da Silva 33.5%
Isaac 25.8%
Wagner 36.0%

So honestly - I don't really know how much better they got. They are relying a TON on internal development. They are literally a worse fitting roster than our 2023-ish raptors were.

Bane had 8.6 3PA the year before that on 38.1%. He can increase his volume if needed. Yes, it was only for half a season, but 42 games is still a decent sample size.

Also, I've consistently maintained that the Raptors are better than their record indicates. I predicated we'd win 38-42 games before last season started. I wasn't a fan of us winning that many games because it would sabotage our rebuild. Injuries saved the day.

I also think Orlando is significantly better than we are. Franz is further along in his development as a scorer than Scottie is, while also being a good defender. Suggs has also become a very good role player. Paolo is the biggest question mark on their roster. He'll never be a good defender, but if he can work on his shot, he'll have a role on their team. He's still young enough that you can reasonably expect development from him.

Unless we see Scottie or someone else (like JaKobe or Dick) take a major leap, I see us finishing somewhere in the mid-to-high 40s in terms of wins this season.

It also could be a function of not only the style of play of their stars, but also the system they run on O. I would not at all be shocked to see Bane's 3pt % drop (with increased attention, since he is the one great shooter on the team), and likewise see KCP's 3pt % increase, in a system that creates more open looks.

Problem for Orlando is they have locked themselves into their core, and the next big move, if this doesn't work, is someone from their core.

[Raps in 4]

I just gotta say - this argument being made for other teams but being shut down repeatedly (including by you) regarding the Raptors health over the last few seasons is incredible. Like actually incredible.


But lets pump the breaks on Bane's major difference.

Going out the door was KCP and Anthony, the guys who were 1st and 5th in Orlando in 3PM last season. They took 7.6 3's a night at a 35% clip. Bane last year took 6.1 3's per night at a 39.2% clip.

Orlando really didn't fix to much with this addition. They replaced their best 3 point shooter with a superior shooter, but also lost their 2nd highest volume 3 point guy off the bench.

Like realistically, this is a team (as of right now) that has a grand total of 1 guy (Bane) in their entire rotation who can hit the 3. And teams are going to be able to defend that, just as teams defended KCP who saw his 3 point % drop from >40% his last 4 seasons to 34% this season.

So overall, they didn't really fix jack ****. This is a team that is going into next year as;:

Suggs/Black
Bane/Howard
Wagner/Da Silva
Banchero/Isaac
Carter/Wagner

That is a whopping 1 player who shot above league average last year from 3. Most of the guys were not even close.

Wagner 29.5%
Paolo 32.0%
Suggs 31.4%
WCJ 23.4%

Black 31.8%
Howard 29.6%
Da Silva 33.5%
Isaac 25.8%
Wagner 36.0%

So honestly - I don't really know how much better they got. They are relying a TON on internal development. They are literally a worse fitting roster than our 2023-ish raptors were.

Bane had 8.6 3PA the year before that on 38.1%. He can increase his volume if needed. Yes, it was only for half a season, but 42 games is still a decent sample size.

Also, I've consistently maintained that the Raptors are better than their record indicates. I predicated we'd win 38-42 games before last season started. I wasn't a fan of us winning that many games because it would sabotage our rebuild. Injuries saved the day.

I also think Orlando is significantly better than we are. Franz is further along in his development as a scorer than Scottie is, while also being a good defender. Suggs has also become a very good role player. Paolo is the biggest question mark on their roster. He'll never be a good defender, but if he can work on his shot, he'll have a role on their team. He's still young enough that you can reasonably expect development from him.

Unless we see Scottie or someone else (like JaKobe or Dick) take a major leap, I see us finishing somewhere in the mid-to-high 40s in terms of wins this season.

It also could be a function of not only the style of play of their stars, but also the system they run on O. I would not at all be shocked to see Bane's 3pt % drop (with increased attention, since he is the one great shooter on the team), and likewise see KCP's 3pt % increase, in a system that creates more open looks.

Problem for Orlando is they have locked themselves into their core, and the next big move, if this doesn't work, is someone from their core.

If Paolo doesn't meaningfully improve his shooting next year, I'd dangle him in a trade. He's still young enough that a team could bite on him, especially if they're offering a disgruntled player.

[tsherkin]

It also could be a function of not only the style of play of their stars, but also the system they run on O. I would not at all be shocked to see Bane's 3pt % drop (with increased attention, since he is the one great shooter on the team), and likewise see KCP's 3pt % increase, in a system that creates more open looks.

Problem for Orlando is they have locked themselves into their core, and the next big move, if this doesn't work, is someone from their core.

His proportion of assisted threes compared to your usual C+S guys really disagrees with you there, so it will be interesting to see what happens.

[YogurtProducer]

All their starters shot well below their career averages last year from 3. Their roster has more youth and upside than any other team in the east.
Paolo is 22, Wagner is 23, Suggs is 24, Carter is 26, and Bane is 27.

Player --- 2024/25 3pt% --- Career 3pt%

Suggs --- 31.4% --- 32.9%
Franz --- 29.5% --- 32.2%
Paolo --- 32.0% --- 32.0%
WCJ --- 23.4% --- 31.6%

Like sure, you are right, but all of them are career bad shooters. This is not some good shooters having an off year - this is 4 bad shooters having a bad year. They are significantly worse shooters than the 2023 Raps that started FVV/GTJ/Barnes/Siakam/OG, and that team had abysmal spacing.

And I completely disagree they have more youth or upside than any other team.

Magic are 22/23/24/26/27 as a core 5.
Cavs are 23/24/25/26/27
Pistons are 23/22/21/22/19
Hawks are 26/23/21/27/24

The Magic IMO are a pretty underwhelming core (that I would 100% trade places with tomorrrow lol)

[YogurtProducer]

Bane had 8.6 3PA the year before that on 38.1%. He can increase his volume if needed. Yes, it was only for half a season, but 42 games is still a decent sample size.

He also did that shooting 18.5 shots per night - which if Bane is shooting 18.5 times a night for you, you are not that good.

Also, I've consistently maintained that the Raptors are better than their record indicates. I predicated we'd win 38-42 games before last season started. I wasn't a fan of us winning that many games because it would sabotage our rebuild. Injuries saved the day.

I also think Orlando is significantly better than we are. Franz is further along in his development as a scorer than Scottie is, while also being a good defender. Suggs has also become a very good role player. Paolo is the biggest question mark on their roster. He'll never be a good defender, but if he can work on his shot, he'll have a role on their team. He's still young enough that you can reasonably expect development from him.

Unless we see Scottie or someone else (like JaKobe or Dick) take a major leap, I see us finishing somewhere in the mid-to-high 40s in terms of wins this season.

This is also kind of all over the place. You see mid-high 40s in terms of wins but ORL is significantly better?

Raptors have arguably the best scorer in Ingram, a very comparable defensive frontcourt in Barnes/Poeltl, and a significantly better fitting roster that actually has shooting in IQ/Agbaji/Walter/Dick/Ingram/Barrett, etc.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if we out-paced them next season. I don't expect it, but it really wouldn't shock me either. I think we are a much better fitting and similarly talented squad.

[Tripod]

Bane had 8.6 3PA the year before that on 38.1%. He can increase his volume if needed. Yes, it was only for half a season, but 42 games is still a decent sample size.

He also did that shooting 18.5 shots per night - which if Bane is shooting 18.5 times a night for you, you are not that good.

Also, I've consistently maintained that the Raptors are better than their record indicates. I predicated we'd win 38-42 games before last season started. I wasn't a fan of us winning that many games because it would sabotage our rebuild. Injuries saved the day.

I also think Orlando is significantly better than we are. Franz is further along in his development as a scorer than Scottie is, while also being a good defender. Suggs has also become a very good role player. Paolo is the biggest question mark on their roster. He'll never be a good defender, but if he can work on his shot, he'll have a role on their team. He's still young enough that you can reasonably expect development from him.

Unless we see Scottie or someone else (like JaKobe or Dick) take a major leap, I see us finishing somewhere in the mid-to-high 40s in terms of wins this season.

This is also kind of all over the place. You see mid-high 40s in terms of wins but ORL is significantly better?

Raptors have arguably the best scorer in Ingram, a very comparable defensive frontcourt in Barnes/Poeltl, and a significantly better fitting roster that actually has shooting in IQ/Agbaji/Walter/Dick/Ingram/Barrett, etc.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if we out-paced them next season. I don't expect it, but it really wouldn't shock me either. I think we are a much better fitting and similarly talented squad.

We gotta add that good defensively backup C, and I will be quite happy with our team going into next year.

In the end, there are lots of teams, including us, that could have a jump up due to internal growth as a bunch of teams have lots of youth. And none are finished products so anything can happen.

Let's just hope for another great offseason like last year....and maybe Masai has another sneaky trade up his sleeve.

[Shakril]

Bane had 8.6 3PA the year before that on 38.1%. He can increase his volume if needed. Yes, it was only for half a season, but 42 games is still a decent sample size.

He also did that shooting 18.5 shots per night - which if Bane is shooting 18.5 times a night for you, you are not that good.

Also, I've consistently maintained that the Raptors are better than their record indicates. I predicated we'd win 38-42 games before last season started. I wasn't a fan of us winning that many games because it would sabotage our rebuild. Injuries saved the day.

I also think Orlando is significantly better than we are. Franz is further along in his development as a scorer than Scottie is, while also being a good defender. Suggs has also become a very good role player. Paolo is the biggest question mark on their roster. He'll never be a good defender, but if he can work on his shot, he'll have a role on their team. He's still young enough that you can reasonably expect development from him.

Unless we see Scottie or someone else (like JaKobe or Dick) take a major leap, I see us finishing somewhere in the mid-to-high 40s in terms of wins this season.

This is also kind of all over the place. You see mid-high 40s in terms of wins but ORL is significantly better?

Raptors have arguably the best scorer in Ingram, a very comparable defensive frontcourt in Barnes/Poeltl, and a significantly better fitting roster that actually has shooting in IQ/Agbaji/Walter/Dick/Ingram/Barrett, etc.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if we out-paced them next season. I don't expect it, but it really wouldn't shock me either. I think we are a much better fitting and similarly talented squad.

We gotta add that good defensively backup C, and I will be quite happy with our team going into next year.

In the end, there are lots of teams, including us, that could have a jump up due to internal growth as a bunch of teams have lots of youth. And none are finished products so anything can happen.

Let's just hope for another great offseason like last year....and maybe Masai has another sneaky trade up his sleeve.

More importantly, many forget that last season we had 30 wins, despite halftanking, injuries and losing close games through stupid turnovers in the closing minutes. I would not be surprised if we suddenly have 50 wins.

[Tripod]

He also did that shooting 18.5 shots per night - which if Bane is shooting 18.5 times a night for you, you are not that good.


This is also kind of all over the place. You see mid-high 40s in terms of wins but ORL is significantly better?

Raptors have arguably the best scorer in Ingram, a very comparable defensive frontcourt in Barnes/Poeltl, and a significantly better fitting roster that actually has shooting in IQ/Agbaji/Walter/Dick/Ingram/Barrett, etc.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if we out-paced them next season. I don't expect it, but it really wouldn't shock me either. I think we are a much better fitting and similarly talented squad.

We gotta add that good defensively backup C, and I will be quite happy with our team going into next year.

In the end, there are lots of teams, including us, that could have a jump up due to internal growth as a bunch of teams have lots of youth. And none are finished products so anything can happen.

Let's just hope for another great offseason like last year....and maybe Masai has another sneaky trade up his sleeve.

More importantly, many forget that last season we had 30 wins, despite halftanking, injuries and losing close games through stupid turnovers in the closing minutes. I would not be surprised if we suddenly have 50 wins.

Yup. That 30 could have been 38-40 if they were actually trying to win games. I will actually be disappointed if we don't win 45-50 games next year.

And I say that assuming we add a legit backup C. That hole must be filled if we look to win.

[Los_29]

It’s actually going to be wild. We aren’t close yet but teams like the Magic, Knicks and Cavs will be in great position.

Wonder what the Pacers do. They will have their picks after next year. They need to make a big move.

[Mattatron]

By all metrics that 47 win Orlando team overachieved. 16th in SRS, 14th in NRTG, 12th in wins.

They had a 21-25 record when Paolo played - the injury excuse only goes so far.

They are still a poor shooting, great defensive, team who have injury concerns everywhere, guys returning from major injuries, and decent but not incredible depth.

Like I said - not ready to write them into a top 3 seed yet. Not convinced they will be better than Detroit.

Franz-Paolo-Suggs played a total of 6 games together in 2024-25. The injuries aren't an excuse. They were the reality of their season, and they still managed to finish with a .500 record. Now they've added Bane, who plugs the biggest hole in their roster (lack of 3pt shooting). I'd bet a large sum of money that they win 50+ games and finish ahead of Detroit next season, if both teams are healthy.

I just gotta say - this argument being made for other teams but being shut down repeatedly (including by you) regarding the Raptors health over the last few seasons is incredible. Like actually incredible.


But lets pump the breaks on Bane's major difference.

Going out the door was KCP and Anthony, the guys who were 1st and 5th in Orlando in 3PM last season. They took 7.6 3's a night at a 35% clip. Bane last year took 6.1 3's per night at a 39.2% clip.

Orlando really didn't fix to much with this addition. They replaced their best 3 point shooter with a superior shooter, but also lost their 2nd highest volume 3 point guy off the bench.

Like realistically, this is a team (as of right now) that has a grand total of 1 guy (Bane) in their entire rotation who can hit the 3. And teams are going to be able to defend that, just as teams defended KCP who saw his 3 point % drop from >40% his last 4 seasons to 34% this season.

So overall, they didn't really fix jack ****. This is a team that is going into next year as;:

Suggs/Black
Bane/Howard
Wagner/Da Silva
Banchero/Isaac
Carter/Wagner

That is a whopping 1 player who shot above league average last year from 3. Most of the guys were not even close.

Wagner 29.5%
Paolo 32.0%
Suggs 31.4%
WCJ 23.4%

Black 31.8%
Howard 29.6%
Da Silva 33.5%
Isaac 25.8%
Wagner 36.0%

So honestly - I don't really know how much better they got. They are relying a TON on internal development. They are literally a worse fitting roster than our 2023-ish raptors were.

I expect Wagner, Da Silva, Howard etc to shoot the ball better next season. They had a tough time to operate without any floor spacer on the court, this will look different and overall Wagner and Da Silva have all the Tools to be 38% shooters

[Madvillainy2004]

Its not wide open for us lmao

[Los_29]

I really like Orlando. They will be a fun team to watch. Don’t think they’ll win anything with Banchero and Wagner as their two best players but they’ll be a good team. 2nd or 3rd round exit with Boston and Indiana out of the picture. And biggest thing is to put yourself in position to win. With injuries anything can happen.

[YogurtProducer]

Franz-Paolo-Suggs played a total of 6 games together in 2024-25. The injuries aren't an excuse. They were the reality of their season, and they still managed to finish with a .500 record. Now they've added Bane, who plugs the biggest hole in their roster (lack of 3pt shooting). I'd bet a large sum of money that they win 50+ games and finish ahead of Detroit next season, if both teams are healthy.

I just gotta say - this argument being made for other teams but being shut down repeatedly (including by you) regarding the Raptors health over the last few seasons is incredible. Like actually incredible.


But lets pump the breaks on Bane's major difference.

Going out the door was KCP and Anthony, the guys who were 1st and 5th in Orlando in 3PM last season. They took 7.6 3's a night at a 35% clip. Bane last year took 6.1 3's per night at a 39.2% clip.

Orlando really didn't fix to much with this addition. They replaced their best 3 point shooter with a superior shooter, but also lost their 2nd highest volume 3 point guy off the bench.

Like realistically, this is a team (as of right now) that has a grand total of 1 guy (Bane) in their entire rotation who can hit the 3. And teams are going to be able to defend that, just as teams defended KCP who saw his 3 point % drop from >40% his last 4 seasons to 34% this season.

So overall, they didn't really fix jack ****. This is a team that is going into next year as;:

Suggs/Black
Bane/Howard
Wagner/Da Silva
Banchero/Isaac
Carter/Wagner

That is a whopping 1 player who shot above league average last year from 3. Most of the guys were not even close.

Wagner 29.5%
Paolo 32.0%
Suggs 31.4%
WCJ 23.4%

Black 31.8%
Howard 29.6%
Da Silva 33.5%
Isaac 25.8%
Wagner 36.0%

So honestly - I don't really know how much better they got. They are relying a TON on internal development. They are literally a worse fitting roster than our 2023-ish raptors were.

I expect Wagner, Da Silva, Howard etc to shoot the ball better next season. They had a tough time to operate without any floor spacer on the court, this will look different and overall Wagner and Da Silva have all the Tools to be 38% shooters

I’ll believe it when I see it. Franz is a career 32% shooter.

He surprisingly shot 29% on catch and shot 3’s to, and 32% on wide open 3’s.

His shooting is all theoretical as it stands.

[Potential]

Thinking about a team like Orlando taking advantage of no Boston next year and reaching the Finals has me jealous. We can't let that happen. We gotta go all in this offseason

[tsherkin]

I expect Wagner, Da Silva, Howard etc to shoot the ball better next season. They had a tough time to operate without any floor spacer on the court, this will look different and overall Wagner and Da Silva have all the Tools to be 38% shooters

I’ll believe it when I see it. Franz is a career 32% shooter.

He surprisingly shot 29% on catch and shot 3’s to, and 32% on wide open 3’s.

His shooting is all theoretical as it stands.[/quote]

These past two seasons, sure. Worth remembering he shot 35.4% and 36.1% on 3.4 and 4.5 3PA/g over his first two seasons in 79 and 80 games. And in only one of those was he north of 17.2% proportion from the corner.

So the ability is there, demonstrably.

[YogurtProducer]

I expect Wagner, Da Silva, Howard etc to shoot the ball better next season. They had a tough time to operate without any floor spacer on the court, this will look different and overall Wagner and Da Silva have all the Tools to be 38% shooters

I’ll believe it when I see it. Franz is a career 32% shooter.

He surprisingly shot 29% on catch and shot 3’s to, and 32% on wide open 3’s.

His shooting is all theoretical as it stands.

These past two seasons, sure. Worth remembering he shot 35.4% and 36.1% on 3.4 and 4.5 3PA/g over his first two seasons in 79 and 80 games. And in only one of those was he north of 17.2% proportion from the corner.

So the ability is there, demonstrably.[/quote]
https://www.thestrick.land/strick/a-study-on-3-point-shooting-should-we-change-how-we-contextualize-3-point-defense-in-nba-advanced-stats-analytics

750 attempts is a baseline for when you can rule out the noise. Franz shot 630 3's in his first two years, so it is possible he was overachieving (And considering his entire body of work, it is likely he was overachieving).

Typically I can get behind a rising 3 point % and ignore a bad start to a career, but back to back 29% seasons makes you wonder if those 1st two years were the outliers. ESPECIALLY when Franz is also a bad long 2 shooter (career 36% there), albeit on pathetically low volume.

Now - his assisted % of 3's is decreasing year over year. His 36% years that was north of 80%, last two years have been 79% and 69%, so there is some hope if they get him off-ball more and on the catch and shoot, but as I said he also only shot 29% on c+s last year.

So really, I just think Franz is not a good shooter. He is closer to Scottie Barnes from 3 than he is a good shooter.