Official 2025 Offseason Thread

[cedric76]

As you know I have not given up on Jett but i wouldn't be surprised if Jeff dumps his contract or stretch it so he can bring back Moe+ Houstan

[Bensational]

I struggle to see how the Magic move on from Goga when he is dollar for dollar our most impactful player. The team can’t rely on WCJ or Isaac to stay healthy, that’s just a proven fact at this point. Banking on them being healthy for a full season would be naive, so we need a quality backup for them.

Over the last 2 seasons Goga has stepped in to start for WCJ, and these are the results:

2023-24
WCJ GS (48), 28-20
Goga GS (33), 17-16

2024-25
WCJ GS (51), 24-27
Goga GS (42), 24-18

Total
WCJ 52-47 (0.525)
Goga 41-34 (0.546)

Last 2 years, the team has had a better record with Goga as the starter. Now this isn’t to say he’s better or should be the starter, it just emphasises how absent WCJ is, but also how very replaceable he is as long as we have Goga.

Goga is a non-negotiable unless we get someone as good as him back. WCJ is good, but he’s unreliable. That ain’t gonna cut it now that we’re into contention mode, and he’s due to explode into $20M/season next season and all the luxury tax implications that brings with it.

[eyriq]

I struggle to see how the Magic move on from Goga when he is dollar for dollar our most impactful player. The team can’t rely on WCJ or Isaac to stay healthy, that’s just a proven fact at this point. Banking on them being healthy for a full season would be naive, so we need a quality backup for them.

Over the last 2 seasons Goga has stepped in to start for WCJ, and these are the results:

2023-24
WCJ GS (48), 28-20
Goga GS (33), 17-16

2024-25
WCJ GS (51), 24-27
Goga GS (42), 24-18

Total
WCJ 52-47 (0.525)
Goga 41-34 (0.546)

Last 2 years, the team has had a better record with Goga as the starter. Now this isn’t to say he’s better or should be the starter, it just emphasises how absent WCJ is, but also how very replaceable he is as long as we have Goga.

Goga is a non-negotiable unless we get someone as good as him back. WCJ is good, but he’s unreliable. That ain’t gonna cut it now that we’re into contention mode, and he’s due to explode into $20M/season next season and all the luxury tax implications that brings with it.

Absolutely agree with this. And I think it’s time we start framing WCJ and Goga as a genuinely strong, complementary big rotation rather than just "holding the line" until someone better comes along.

They’ve quietly given us 48 minutes of solid center play for two straight years. Goga is an elite value on his contract, provides elite defense, and consistently holds up when asked to start. WCJ, when healthy, gives you short-roll passing, touch, and switchability. Together, they form a low-usage, defense-first tandem that fits perfectly around our playmaking forwards and doesn’t clog the books.

No, neither is a top-10 center. But in a league where many teams struggle to find one competent big, having two that fit our identity, cost little, and give us quality starts is a huge advantage. This rotation isn’t just passable. It’s good.

[JBSouthpaw]

I struggle to see how the Magic move on from Goga when he is dollar for dollar our most impactful player. The team can’t rely on WCJ or Isaac to stay healthy, that’s just a proven fact at this point. Banking on them being healthy for a full season would be naive, so we need a quality backup for them.

Over the last 2 seasons Goga has stepped in to start for WCJ, and these are the results:

2023-24
WCJ GS (48), 28-20
Goga GS (33), 17-16

2024-25
WCJ GS (51), 24-27
Goga GS (42), 24-18

Total
WCJ 52-47 (0.525)
Goga 41-34 (0.546)

Last 2 years, the team has had a better record with Goga as the starter. Now this isn’t to say he’s better or should be the starter, it just emphasises how absent WCJ is, but also how very replaceable he is as long as we have Goga.

Goga is a non-negotiable unless we get someone as good as him back. WCJ is good, but he’s unreliable. That ain’t gonna cut it now that we’re into contention mode, and he’s due to explode into $20M/season next season and all the luxury tax implications that brings with it.

how are there 91 games in 24-25 WCJ startec 51 & Goga started 42
You have to remove playoff games since Goga didn't start any of those, it tilts it.

[Bensational]

I struggle to see how the Magic move on from Goga when he is dollar for dollar our most impactful player. The team can’t rely on WCJ or Isaac to stay healthy, that’s just a proven fact at this point. Banking on them being healthy for a full season would be naive, so we need a quality backup for them.

Over the last 2 seasons Goga has stepped in to start for WCJ, and these are the results:

2023-24
WCJ GS (48), 28-20
Goga GS (33), 17-16

2024-25
WCJ GS (51), 24-27
Goga GS (42), 24-18

Total
WCJ 52-47 (0.525)
Goga 41-34 (0.546)

Last 2 years, the team has had a better record with Goga as the starter. Now this isn’t to say he’s better or should be the starter, it just emphasises how absent WCJ is, but also how very replaceable he is as long as we have Goga.

Goga is a non-negotiable unless we get someone as good as him back. WCJ is good, but he’s unreliable. That ain’t gonna cut it now that we’re into contention mode, and he’s due to explode into $20M/season next season and all the luxury tax implications that brings with it.

Absolutely agree with this. And I think it’s time we start framing WCJ and Goga as a genuinely strong, complementary big rotation rather than just "holding the line" until someone better comes along.

They’ve quietly given us 48 minutes of solid center play for two straight years. Goga is an elite value on his contract, provides elite defense, and consistently holds up when asked to start. WCJ, when healthy, gives you short-roll passing, touch, and switchability. Together, they form a low-usage, defense-first tandem that fits perfectly around our playmaking forwards and doesn’t clog the books.

No, neither is a top-10 center. But in a league where many teams struggle to find one competent big, having two that fit our identity, cost little, and give us quality starts is a huge advantage. This rotation isn’t just passable. It’s good.

My bet would be that WCJ and Isaac are on the hot seats now, and both are going to have to play some of their best seasons in order to justify the $33M+ they’ll be paid next season, combined. Goga gets cheaper next season, only costing $7.6M and he’s shown he can start when needed. It’s time for the guys getting paid, or about to, to prove their worth.

[Bensational]

how are there 91 games in 24-25 WCJ startec 51 & Goga started 42
You have to remove playoff games since Goga didn't start any of those, it tilts it.

It's not playoff games, there were 9 games where they both started from 27th November through to the 12th of December. I haven't removed those for either, too much work.

[mattdelray1220]

we got shammgod. Thats cool.

[eyriq]

1. Start with $7.9M of head-room Bobby Marks shows we have under the apron.
2, Designate $2.5M for an in-season cushion (waivers, 10-days, two-way conversion) so that we avoid pulling a Dallas and almost having to forfeit games because of limited player availability.
3. Designate $2.3M for the 15th slot
4. That leaves $3.1M for Moritz

2.3 and 3.1 are pretty darn close to vet-minimum contracts for Houstan and Moritz.

[RichCollab]

1. Start with $7.9M of head-room Bobby Marks shows we have under the apron.
2, Designate $2.5M for an in-season cushion (waivers, 10-days, two-way conversion) so that we avoid pulling a Dallas and almost having to forfeit games because of limited player availability.
3. Designate $2.3M for the 15th slot
4. That leaves $3.1M for Moritz

2.3 and 3.1 are pretty darn close to vet-minimum contracts for Houstan and Moritz.

We have to be moving Jett

[Knightro]

1. Start with $7.9M of head-room Bobby Marks shows we have under the apron.
2, Designate $2.5M for an in-season cushion (waivers, 10-days, two-way conversion) so that we avoid pulling a Dallas and almost having to forfeit games because of limited player availability.
3. Designate $2.3M for the 15th slot
4. That leaves $3.1M for Moritz

2.3 and 3.1 are pretty darn close to vet-minimum contracts for Houstan and Moritz.

I would bet a large sum of money that A. Moe gets more than 3.1M and B. if the Magic are actually concerned with the tax, they won’t even have a 15th man.

[MassimoPayne]

Moe wants really to stay. But he won't sign for 3 Mio. As you can see in his German documentary he already struggled signing his last contract because he thought he earns more. Not exactly about the money but about the respect.
And giving him under 5 Mio is showing no respect.

[RookieStar]

1. Start with $7.9M of head-room Bobby Marks shows we have under the apron.
2, Designate $2.5M for an in-season cushion (waivers, 10-days, two-way conversion) so that we avoid pulling a Dallas and almost having to forfeit games because of limited player availability.
3. Designate $2.3M for the 15th slot
4. That leaves $3.1M for Moritz

2.3 and 3.1 are pretty darn close to vet-minimum contracts for Houstan and Moritz.

Yeah... signing mo for he vet min is something we wont do.

[cedric76]

I really want Moe back but with Moe unlikely to be back 100% before the trade deadline you can be happy with our 10 man rotation

Suggs, Jones
Bane, AB
Franz, TDS
P5, JI
WCJ, Goga

Then you add youth:
Jase + Panda

[Orlando Dawg]

P5

I don’t think that people deserve nicknames they give themselves.

I will never call Paulo Banchero “P5”

That’s just marketing BS to sell overpriced shoes.

[basketballRob]

Delete

[RichCollab]

I’m going to leave this right here. Everyone added vet min with Moe getting a solid contract

Suggs/Tyus/Jase
Bane/ AB/Cole
Franz/TDS/ Caleb
Paolo/JI/ Penda
WCJ/M Wagner/Bamba

[otownflava21]

I’m going to leave this right here. Everyone added vet min with Moe getting a solid contract

Suggs/Tyus/Jase
Bane/ AB/Cole
Franz/TDS/ Caleb
Paolo/JI/ Penda
WCJ/M Wagner/Bamba

I keep hearing increasing rumors we are bringing Bamba back??

[otownflava21]

Are you saying we trade Goga and Jett for draft capital and then sign Bamba and Cole to replace them as 3rd stringers?

[RichCollab]

I’m going to leave this right here. Everyone added vet min with Moe getting a solid contract

Suggs/Tyus/Jase
Bane/ AB/Cole
Franz/TDS/ Caleb
Paolo/JI/ Penda
WCJ/M Wagner/Bamba

I keep hearing increasing rumors we are bringing Bamba back??

Vet min to fill in until Moe is back. Seems workable

[jezzerinho]

I’m going to leave this right here. Everyone added vet min with Moe getting a solid contract

Suggs/Tyus/Jase
Bane/ AB/Cole
Franz/TDS/ Caleb
Paolo/JI/ Penda
WCJ/M Wagner/Bamba

I keep hearing increasing rumors we are bringing Bamba back??

Vet min to fill in until Moe is back. Seems workable

Moe.said his rehab timeline was to be back for training camp. May have to take a pich of salt given he's a free agent, but even then I don't think the prognosis would be so bad as to merit an emergency center. That, of course, if Moe is resigned, which I doubt.