Official 2025-2026 Magic Trade ideas thread

[Catledge]

I cannot comprehend how anyone can watch WCJ and still think hes a worthwhile C in this league. Guy is a born loser, has always been so, doesnt try, has bad body language, doesnt stretch the floor (cmon, those days are long gone), and doesnt do the small stuff like box out. What is his main strength as a player again? I honestly couldnt tell you.

At least with Goga, we know what he does for us, which is play great D and rebound. Same with Moe, at least hes a scoring big off the bench who hustles. WCJ is guaranteed to give us low effort low IQ sulky whiney garbage minutes.

You guys repeating the same ridiculous thing doesn’t make it any closer to real (I never thought I’d be defending WCJ).

There’s a reason Mose doesn’t look to Goga unless WCJ’s hurt (which is too often) and, even then, doesn’t look to Moe…and those guys are pretty solid rotation players. WCJ plays if he can walk because he’s miles ahead of the others defensively. Goga blocks a couple and the peanut gallery warms up- its not close to being close…and I consider starting C our biggest weakness

Well when WCJ has already signed an extension he's kinda gotta be on the floor more than his backups otherwise he becomes an impossible to trade player.

I'll repeat it once again -when WCJ is out for a period of time we still manage to win games at the same rate or better than when WCJ does play. We do not miss him when he's out.

This claim does not hold up in light of the playoffs, where Goga was unplayable and WCJ was our third-best player.

[eyriq]

WCJ sort of impressed me in the playoffs. I can talk myself into his switchability.

[VFX]

You guys repeating the same ridiculous thing doesn’t make it any closer to real (I never thought I’d be defending WCJ).

There’s a reason Mose doesn’t look to Goga unless WCJ’s hurt (which is too often) and, even then, doesn’t look to Moe…and those guys are pretty solid rotation players. WCJ plays if he can walk because he’s miles ahead of the others defensively. Goga blocks a couple and the peanut gallery warms up- its not close to being close…and I consider starting C our biggest weakness

Well when WCJ has already signed an extension he's kinda gotta be on the floor more than his backups otherwise he becomes an impossible to trade player.

I'll repeat it once again -when WCJ is out for a period of time we still manage to win games at the same rate or better than when WCJ does play. We do not miss him when he's out.

This claim does not hold up in light of the playoffs, where Goga was unplayable and WCJ was our third-best player.

Goga is just a backup. Hes merely the best option in dealing with larger Centers that usually punish Carter.

Carter being the “third best player” on the court isn’t saying much. He’s the likeliest most open option when Franz or Paolo are doubled inside.

People have to realize that whoever is playing in the starting lineup needs to provide above average defense, rim protection, rebounding, and maybe the ability to stretch the floor IF Paolo doesn’t improve in that area.

Carter does 1 maybe 2 of those things sometimes. He’s is far from perfect and the homer arguments about him being great for this roster aren’t true.

[JoshuaPotter]

WCJ sort of impressed me in the playoffs. I can talk myself into his switchability.

Biyombo just called and wants to remind you of his playoff performance. Will you give him a contract?

[JoshuaPotter]

Well when WCJ has already signed an extension he's kinda gotta be on the floor more than his backups otherwise he becomes an impossible to trade player.

I'll repeat it once again -when WCJ is out for a period of time we still manage to win games at the same rate or better than when WCJ does play. We do not miss him when he's out.

This claim does not hold up in light of the playoffs, where Goga was unplayable and WCJ was our third-best player.

Goga is just a backup. Hes merely the best option in dealing with larger Centers that usually punish Carter.

Carter being the “third best player” on the court isn’t saying much. He’s the likeliest most open option when Franz or Paolo are doubled inside.

People have to realize that whoever is playing in the starting lineup needs to provide above average defense, rim protection, rebounding, and maybe the ability to stretch the floor IF Paolo doesn’t improve in that area.

Carter does 1 maybe 2 of those things sometimes. He’s is far from perfect and the homer arguments about him being great for this roster aren’t true.

Dude, I am not following you so....

GET OUT OF MY DANG DONG HEAD!

It's almost like both finals teams had some kinda rim protector, muscle, rebounder, and or stretch the floor person......

Is that anything?

[FM6]

WCJ sort of impressed me in the playoffs. I can talk myself into his switchability.

Biyombo just called and wants to remind you of his playoff performance. Will you give him a contract?

Biyombo's best season is literally worse than WCJ's worse season last year. I get your overall point, playoff stats can be misleading, but come on bro. Wendell played decently in the playoffs against a legit contender with no real spacers on this team. I'm excited to see what he can do with this current roster.

[jezzerinho]

I find the anti-WCJ clamour baffling. Yes, he gets injured. Yes, he's a PF/C tweener. Yes, he struggles against the Zubac's of the league.

But he's a starter on a top 3 offense. He get slammed for not rebounding yet he's in the 87th percentile for OFF and DEF REB, while Orlando is 2nd in the league in Opponent OFF REB%.

He can switch and can give us spacing, 2 abilities we need in a big way.

Our defensive style doesn't show the stat sheet. We hassle and harry players into poor decisions and inefficient shots. We're 9th in the league in Opponent eFG% and, iirc, even better on Opponent 3pt shooting. We don't achieve that without WCJ's combination of switchability and ability to disrupt on the interior.

Is he perfect? Absolutely not. But the list of suitable players for our system is not a long one. People need to be realistic and appreciate that where Wendell adds value overlaps our playing identity.

Top 3 offense? WCJ is a starter on one of the worst offenses in the league.

Whoops. Defence.

[anothermagicfan]

You guys repeating the same ridiculous thing doesn’t make it any closer to real (I never thought I’d be defending WCJ).

There’s a reason Mose doesn’t look to Goga unless WCJ’s hurt (which is too often) and, even then, doesn’t look to Moe…and those guys are pretty solid rotation players. WCJ plays if he can walk because he’s miles ahead of the others defensively. Goga blocks a couple and the peanut gallery warms up- its not close to being close…and I consider starting C our biggest weakness

Well when WCJ has already signed an extension he's kinda gotta be on the floor more than his backups otherwise he becomes an impossible to trade player.

I'll repeat it once again -when WCJ is out for a period of time we still manage to win games at the same rate or better than when WCJ does play. We do not miss him when he's out.

This claim does not hold up in light of the playoffs, where Goga was unplayable and WCJ was our third-best player.

Yeah third best player on a team that lost in the first round.

I'm not saying Goga is the answer or is better. It's just that he's good enough that I don't miss WCJ when he's out.

I'd be ok if it goes south in Milwaukee and WCJ and JI were traded for Myles Turner.

[Catledge]

Well when WCJ has already signed an extension he's kinda gotta be on the floor more than his backups otherwise he becomes an impossible to trade player.

I'll repeat it once again -when WCJ is out for a period of time we still manage to win games at the same rate or better than when WCJ does play. We do not miss him when he's out.

This claim does not hold up in light of the playoffs, where Goga was unplayable and WCJ was our third-best player.

Yeah third best player on a team that lost in the first round.

I'm not saying Goga is the answer or is better. It's just that he's good enough that I don't miss WCJ when he's out.

I'd be ok if it goes south in Milwaukee and WCJ and JI were traded for Myles Turner.

That's all fine, but we were clearly worse when WCJ was off the floor in the playoffs, which contradicts your claim that we are just as good without him.

[jezzerinho]

Well when WCJ has already signed an extension he's kinda gotta be on the floor more than his backups otherwise he becomes an impossible to trade player.

I'll repeat it once again -when WCJ is out for a period of time we still manage to win games at the same rate or better than when WCJ does play. We do not miss him when he's out.

This claim does not hold up in light of the playoffs, where Goga was unplayable and WCJ was our third-best player.

Goga is just a backup. Hes merely the best option in dealing with larger Centers that usually punish Carter.

Carter being the “third best player” on the court isn’t saying much. He’s the likeliest most open option when Franz or Paolo are doubled inside.

People have to realize that whoever is playing in the starting lineup needs to provide above average defense, rim protection, rebounding, and maybe the ability to stretch the floor IF Paolo doesn’t improve in that area.

Carter does 1 maybe 2 of those things sometimes. He’s is far from perfect and the homer arguments about him being great for this roster aren’t true.

They also need to be able to switch, defend in space, have active hands/feet, not turn it over and score efficiently (coz god knows we need offense too). How many centers in the league can do all that? Hell, how many can do more than half?

He might be a master of none, but Orlando needs a physical jack of all trades center to mesh on the defensive and Wendell is that guy. The injury profile is frustrating but we now have a roster where we just need to get to the playoffs in a decent position and everyone more or less healthy. What happens in RS happens. It's no longer the goal, merely.the means to the end.

[anothermagicfan]

This claim does not hold up in light of the playoffs, where Goga was unplayable and WCJ was our third-best player.

Yeah third best player on a team that lost in the first round.

I'm not saying Goga is the answer or is better. It's just that he's good enough that I don't miss WCJ when he's out.

I'd be ok if it goes south in Milwaukee and WCJ and JI were traded for Myles Turner.

That's all fine, but we were clearly worse when WCJ was off the floor in the playoffs, which contradicts your claim that we are just as good without him.

He was our starting center when we lost so many games each year we were looking at lottery picks and landed Paolo, Franz and Suggs. He's really no better or worse than he was then.

[BadMofoPimp]

Yeah third best player on a team that lost in the first round.

I'm not saying Goga is the answer or is better. It's just that he's good enough that I don't miss WCJ when he's out.

I'd be ok if it goes south in Milwaukee and WCJ and JI were traded for Myles Turner.

That's all fine, but we were clearly worse when WCJ was off the floor in the playoffs, which contradicts your claim that we are just as good without him.

He was our starting center when we lost so many games each year we were looking at lottery picks and landed Paolo, Franz and Suggs. He's really no better or worse than he was then.

He is clearly better suited playing with legit stars over playing with a bunch of scrubs on a bottom feeder when the Magic were in the lottery. He is a role player and that suits his skill set. Coaches understand that, but not fans who nitpick every player they don't personally like.

[anothermagicfan]

That's all fine, but we were clearly worse when WCJ was off the floor in the playoffs, which contradicts your claim that we are just as good without him.

He was our starting center when we lost so many games each year we were looking at lottery picks and landed Paolo, Franz and Suggs. He's really no better or worse than he was then.

He is clearly better suited playing with legit stars over playing with a bunch of scrubs on a bottom feeder when the Magic were in the lottery. He is a role player and that suits his skill set. Coaches understand that, but not fans who nitpick every player they don't personally like.

I don't dislike Wendell. I'm happy when he plays well and has good games. It's just not nearly consistent enough to warrant his upcoming contract with the group that we have. Maybe I'm wrong and he's the center we need but I seriously doubt we ever win a championship with him as our starting center.

[Skybox]

Well when WCJ has already signed an extension he's kinda gotta be on the floor more than his backups otherwise he becomes an impossible to trade player.

I'll repeat it once again -when WCJ is out for a period of time we still manage to win games at the same rate or better than when WCJ does play. We do not miss him when he's out.

This claim does not hold up in light of the playoffs, where Goga was unplayable and WCJ was our third-best player.

Goga is just a backup. Hes merely the best option in dealing with larger Centers that usually punish Carter.

Carter being the “third best player” on the court isn’t saying much. He’s the likeliest most open option when Franz or Paolo are doubled inside.

People have to realize that whoever is playing in the starting lineup needs to provide above average defense, rim protection, rebounding, and maybe the ability to stretch the floor IF Paolo doesn’t improve in that area.

Carter does 1 maybe 2 of those things sometimes. He’s is far from perfect and the homer arguments about him being great for this roster aren’t true.

I’m not hearing anyone saying WCJ is great…just the best on the roster…unquestionably the best defender and actually has at least the possibility of making a 3. His shooting sucked last year…just like everyone on the roster except the guy we just let go of.

[Skybox]

ORL gets Hauser, Queta (3pt sniper and properly priced bench C - ORL has Moe Wagner too)

DEN gets Goga Bitadze, Jett Howard (premium back up C & a wing prospect that might flourish with Jokic’s gravity)

BOS gets Valanciunas (save $13m)

*if we could sub Holmes (from DEN) instead of Queta, Weltman is Exec of the Year, but it seemed too much…but DEN might really value Goga

[drsd]

ORL gets Hauser, Queta (3pt sniper and properly priced bench C - ORL has Moe Wagner too)

DEN gets Goga Bitadze, Jett Howard (premium back up C & a wing prospect that might flourish with Jokic’s gravity)

BOS gets Valanciunas (save $13m)

*if we could sub Holmes (from DEN) instead of Queta, Weltman is Exec of the Year, but it seemed too much…but DEN might really value Goga

Sam Hauser is at $10,044,644 and Neemias Queta is at $2,349,578. Bitadze plus Howard is $13,862,839.
Thus you saved the Magic 1,468,617. That has really value this season!

(There are problems with this idea as it affects next year's cap structures. But we should live in the Moment!)

[tiderulz]

ORL gets Hauser, Queta (3pt sniper and properly priced bench C - ORL has Moe Wagner too)

DEN gets Goga Bitadze, Jett Howard (premium back up C & a wing prospect that might flourish with Jokic’s gravity)

BOS gets Valanciunas (save $13m)

*if we could sub Holmes (from DEN) instead of Queta, Weltman is Exec of the Year, but it seemed too much…but DEN might really value Goga

Val is a much better backup center than Goga. With the miles on Jokic's legs, i think they much prefer Val.

[Skybox]

ORL gets Hauser, Queta (3pt sniper and properly priced bench C - ORL has Moe Wagner too)

DEN gets Goga Bitadze, Jett Howard (premium back up C & a wing prospect that might flourish with Jokic’s gravity)

BOS gets Valanciunas (save $13m)

*if we could sub Holmes (from DEN) instead of Queta, Weltman is Exec of the Year, but it seemed too much…but DEN might really value Goga

Val is a much better backup center than Goga. With the miles on Jokic's legs, i think they much prefer Val.

Not sure how good Val is as a hostage

[zaymon]

He was our starting center when we lost so many games each year we were looking at lottery picks and landed Paolo, Franz and Suggs. He's really no better or worse than he was then.

He is clearly better suited playing with legit stars over playing with a bunch of scrubs on a bottom feeder when the Magic were in the lottery. He is a role player and that suits his skill set. Coaches understand that, but not fans who nitpick every player they don't personally like.

I don't dislike Wendell. I'm happy when he plays well and has good games. It's just not nearly consistent enough to warrant his upcoming contract with the group that we have. Maybe I'm wrong and he's the center we need but I seriously doubt we ever win a championship with him as our starting center.

WCJ is who he is, but problem starts when you want to find switching big for around 20M. There is only Claxton for 24M and propably a knucklehead.
I think Carter will be better with better scheme and Bane/Jones. Veterans could calm him when he is frustrated (every other game)

[Redwood]

That's all fine, but we were clearly worse when WCJ was off the floor in the playoffs, which contradicts your claim that we are just as good without him.

He was our starting center when we lost so many games each year we were looking at lottery picks and landed Paolo, Franz and Suggs. He's really no better or worse than he was then.

He is clearly better suited playing with legit stars over playing with a bunch of scrubs on a bottom feeder when the Magic were in the lottery. He is a role player and that suits his skill set. Coaches understand that, but not fans who nitpick every player they don't personally like.

I don't know him, and never will know him. Saying it's "personal" is laughable, the guy is just a bad basketball player and that's all that matters. You say he's a role player here, but reading most of your posts you'd think the guy was Hakeem. People defended Cole for several years as well, even when it was obvious that he, too, was a bad basketball player. I think what's going on here is that the Magic have been bad for so long, especially at the center position, that people forget what a decent center is supposed to look like.