mhectorgato wrote:I am taking the viewpoint of the team, as I am a fan of the Orlando Magic first and foremost.
As such, if I am committing myself (speaking as ownership again) to making changes, then I need to know if my biggest asset to make changes is staying or going. I've already "fired" my son-in-law from the COO (I think that's right) position. Next I am about to fire my GM/PBO. I've already started to make changes.
but the thing is that this isn't a negotiation between two parties on the same page. for the Magic FO to take a hardline stance with Dwight, they are making the negotiation process harder - so you have to take a moment to stop and think about it from Dwight's perspective. if the Magic aren't offering anything that interests him, then we risk losing him.
it's nothing to do with picking player over team, it's do to with finding common ground fast enough to get the player back on the team. why do you think i'm arguing that the Magic should go ahead and make wholesale changes? because i want Dwight to stay here.
mhectorgato wrote:I would prefer that D12 stay and we build around him. But I can't wait until mid-season to see how feels about the matter. What if I do everything in my power to placate him and he still doesn't want to stay? How many future seasons have I potentially damaged because of not getting a commitment.
People on this board are always talking about fiscal responsibility and the need to be forward looking. Well, to me, this is an exact definition of that matter. This is more than giving JRich a 4 year deal. This potentially signing several guys for a player that won't be around for more than 1/2 a season.
that depends on the team's plan of action. i've said numerous times that if the team positions itself to target cap space next season, or if they acquire players like Smith/Monta/Iggy who all have expiring contracts next season, then we upgrade whilst remaining flexible to either:
a) continue making changes around Dwight if he stays.
b) have the freedom to sign several of the top tier FAs next season and reload
without Dwight.
i honestly don't think any of the packages being offered for Dwight, short of this year's #1 pick, are better value than the host of players we could potentially sign next summer. why waste time trading him for lesser value and losing all hope of resigning him when we could just stay the course for brighter prospects regardless of what Dwight does. it's in the best interest of the team.