Why Evan Fournier is the key for the Magic Roster going forward

[Smitty731]

Hey all,

Thought you might be interested in a piece I wrote for the site. As I thought about the Magic and upcoming roster decisions, I kept coming back to Evan Fournier and what happens with him will decide the future of the rest of the roster.

I'd love any feedback that any of you have!

Smitty

http://basketball.realgm.com/analysis/239815/How-Evan-Fournier-Will-Determine-The-Next-Steps-For-The-Magic

[OrlandoNed]

Nice job. Really read like you did your homework on the Magic. You pretty much summarized most everything about the makeup of the team.

I agree with your prediction of Orlando making a run at Horford in free agency and bringing him back to central Florida. He'd fit in perfectly at PF between Harris and Vucevic in traditional lineups and he could still shift up to C when Vucevic goes to the bench. That would be excellent depth while bringing back Dedmon on a reasonable deal.

[King Close]

Good read - on the Fournier topic, I hope we keep him, it seems like he genuinely wants to stay here long term which is great and should get us a discounted price. Hopefully he keeps up this play, he played extremely well at the beginning of last year as well, but even after his stats dropped off he was still extremely efficient with a nice shot from deep. He's improved his defense, which just seems to be the Skiles effect (see Vuc). Us needing a star is tough. The FA market is top heavy this off-season, but us almost getting Milsap is a huge plus knowing that a big name FA can consider a losing team - now that we're showing even more promise, that's a good thing. Obviously I want someone like Durant, but odds of that are pretty much 0 aside from him saying we're his favorite team. Horford would be a good pickup, and the most reasonable one. (One can still dream of a EP, VO, KD, AG, and Vuc lineup, right? Just started dreaming about the awesome balance between elite defense, and elite offense)...

[NBlue]

Great article -- love Horford but its really hard for me to see us bring him in next year. 30 year old with a pretty significant history of injury would not be the guy I would want to bring in especially when he is not able to stretch the floor from the 4 position. If we had a need at the 5 then I would definitely be interested but we don't as we have Vooch locked for 3 more years at a really good number.

[J-Ville Smoke]

Well written article. Shared.

[Patrick1978]

I think that fournier will stay in orlando as henny will probably match any offer for him.then i believe that oladipo will be traded as fournier and mario will be the primary shootings guards in the next years.they also fit better with elf because of their shooting skills.aaron gordon and harris will be the main personal at the sf Spot.skiles love gordon at this Spot because of his defensive abilities.probably horford will be our main target in free agency and he is a quality player.for the draft i would like to get stephen zimmerman from unlv who is an intriguing player who plays the two big spots and has a lot of skills(watch the scouting report at draftexpress).we would have an amazing team.

[King Close]

Great article -- love Horford but its really hard for me to see us bring him in next year. 30 year old with a pretty significant history of injury would not be the guy I would want to bring in especially when he is not able to stretch the floor from the 4 position. If we had a need at the 5 then I would definitely be interested but we don't as we have Vooch locked for 3 more years at a really good number.

Well, on the Horford stance, I Somewhat agree. He's 29 years old in a league that most players lose their touch at around 32-33. But I don't see any other names that are big acquisitions that we could get. Top 5 FA's next year are: 1.KD (I hope to hell, but odds are extremely slim) 2. LBJ 3. Drummond 4. D12 (i'd kill myself) 5.Beal. And at 6 it's Horford. After those, it's all past their prime Tim Duncans, Dirks, D-wades, etc - or players who have never been a star player/ more than likely won't ever be. Who do you think we should get if not Horford?

[O-zone]

I'm sorry if this was posted already, but this is a recent article from a strange source lol

I think a few of you brought up a potential PG trade scenario in another thread? Either way, I wish this had some sort of legitimacy to it.

http://en.yibada.com/articles/82175/20151106/nba-trade-scenario-paul-george-orlando-magic-florida-team-offer.htm

[King Close]

I'm sorry if this was posted already, but this is a recent article from a strange source lol

I think a few of you brought up a potential PG trade scenario in another thread? Either way, I wish this had some sort of legitimacy to it.

http://en.yibada.com/articles/82175/20151106/nba-trade-scenario-paul-george-orlando-magic-florida-team-offer.htm

Did a quick glance of it, but anyone who thinks we need to give up a first, AG, Vo, and T12 is not worth listening to, or even considering. I am disappointed i clicked that link.

[O-zone]

I'm sorry if this was posted already, but this is a recent article from a strange source lol

I think a few of you brought up a potential PG trade scenario in another thread? Either way, I wish this had some sort of legitimacy to it.

http://en.yibada.com/articles/82175/20151106/nba-trade-scenario-paul-george-orlando-magic-florida-team-offer.htm

Did a quick glance of it, but anyone who thinks we need to give up a first, AG, Vo, and T12 is not worth listening to, or even considering. I am disappointed i clicked that link.

I'm not insulting you in any way, but you don't think that would be worth a shot at a top 15 player? I personally would not give up Aaron Gordon to any team for anything less than a top 5 player, but if we could swap Gordon for Hezonja, I would personally be down to make that deal. Every team that has ever won a championship usually had a legitimate go-to scorer. Oladipo, Harris, and Hezonja are nowhere near as good as Paul George in that regard.

[Skin]

Hey all,

Thought you might be interested in a piece I wrote for the site. As I thought about the Magic and upcoming roster decisions, I kept coming back to Evan Fournier and what happens with him will decide the future of the rest of the roster.

I'd love any feedback that any of you have!

Smitty

http://basketball.realgm.com/analysis/239815/How-Evan-Fournier-Will-Determine-The-Next-Steps-For-The-Magic

I enjoy Magic reads, so thank you!

I have a couple of questions if you don't mind. It was rumored that Fournier was seeking a deal that committed the Magic to around $12M per season and the divide pushed talks to next summer. At that price tag, do you think it is in the best interest of the team to retain him?

Second question... you said that "the Magic project to have enough money available to sign a max free agent, or get really close, pending their decision on Fournier". Can the Magic sign a max FA if they commit $12M+ to Fournier?

[MagicStarwipe]

All I know is you can't keep all of Gordon, Harris, Hezonja, Oladipo and Fournier. You just can't. So yeah, whatever decision we make there will probably hugely altar our franchise for better or worse.

[King Close]

I'm sorry if this was posted already, but this is a recent article from a strange source lol

I think a few of you brought up a potential PG trade scenario in another thread? Either way, I wish this had some sort of legitimacy to it.

http://en.yibada.com/articles/82175/20151106/nba-trade-scenario-paul-george-orlando-magic-florida-team-offer.htm

Did a quick glance of it, but anyone who thinks we need to give up a first, AG, Vo, and T12 is not worth listening to, or even considering. I am disappointed i clicked that link.

I'm not insulting you in any way, but you don't think that would be worth a shot at a top 15 player? I personally would not give up Aaron Gordon to any team for anything less than a top 5 player, but if we could swap Gordon for Hezonja, I would personally be down to make that deal. Every team that has ever won a championship usually had a legitimate go-to scorer. Oladipo, Harris, and Hezonja are nowhere near as good as Paul George in that regard.

No, I Would not swap 3 of our core guys for a top 15 player, and I love PG. You're correct, we don't have any player as of now that can score as well as PG. Scoring is the reason we drafted Mario, will he be at PG's offensive level? More than likely not. But I do believe he can be a few tiers lower. Aaron Gordon has all the potential in the world, he's off limits for me. Package 1 of Dipo/ Evan, T12, and a protected first - sure, sign me up. But I would never package 3 core players for 1 player unless his name is LeBron (in todays NBA).

Edit: Dipo, T12, and a first may even be to much. V.O has been playing amazing defense - but it's a damn hard choice.

[O-zone]

Did a quick glance of it, but anyone who thinks we need to give up a first, AG, Vo, and T12 is not worth listening to, or even considering. I am disappointed i clicked that link.

I'm not insulting you in any way, but you don't think that would be worth a shot at a top 15 player? I personally would not give up Aaron Gordon to any team for anything less than a top 5 player, but if we could swap Gordon for Hezonja, I would personally be down to make that deal. Every team that has ever won a championship usually had a legitimate go-to scorer. Oladipo, Harris, and Hezonja are nowhere near as good as Paul George in that regard.

No, I Would not swap 3 of our core guys for a top 15 player, and I love PG. You're correct, we don't have any player as of now that can score as well as PG. Scoring is the reason we drafted Mario, will he be at PG's offensive level? More than likely not. But I do believe he can be a few tiers lower. Aaron Gordon has all the potential in the world, he's off limits for me. Package 1 of Dipo/ Evan, T12, and a protected first - sure, sign me up. But I would never package 3 core players for 1 player unless his name is LeBron (in todays NBA).

Edit: Dipo, T12, and a first may even be to much. V.O has been playing amazing defense - but it's a damn hard choice.

That's fair. Yeah, I agree as well. I would be down to give up 2 players and a pick, and that might be it unless the third (as you mentioned) is Fournier.

ORLANDO: Payton/Hezonja/George/Gordon/Vucevic
INDIANA: Hill/Oladipo/Fournier/Harris/Turner

[King Close]

I'm not insulting you in any way, but you don't think that would be worth a shot at a top 15 player? I personally would not give up Aaron Gordon to any team for anything less than a top 5 player, but if we could swap Gordon for Hezonja, I would personally be down to make that deal. Every team that has ever won a championship usually had a legitimate go-to scorer. Oladipo, Harris, and Hezonja are nowhere near as good as Paul George in that regard.

No, I Would not swap 3 of our core guys for a top 15 player, and I love PG. You're correct, we don't have any player as of now that can score as well as PG. Scoring is the reason we drafted Mario, will he be at PG's offensive level? More than likely not. But I do believe he can be a few tiers lower. Aaron Gordon has all the potential in the world, he's off limits for me. Package 1 of Dipo/ Evan, T12, and a protected first - sure, sign me up. But I would never package 3 core players for 1 player unless his name is LeBron (in todays NBA).

Edit: Dipo, T12, and a first may even be to much. V.O has been playing amazing defense - but it's a damn hard choice.

That's fair. Yeah, I agree as well. I would be down to give up 2 players and a pick, and that might be it unless the third (as you mentioned) is Fournier.

ORLANDO: Payton/Hezonja/George/Gordon/Vucevic
INDIANA: Hill/Oladipo/Fournier/Harris/Turner

1 of Dipo or Evan, not both. We need some depth at the 2 regardless of what star player we get.

[JF5]

All I know is you can't keep all of Gordon, Harris, Hezonja, Oladipo and Fournier. You just can't. So yeah, whatever decision we make there will probably hugely altar our franchise for better or worse.

Survival of the fittest... Whoever rises to the top will be on the team in the future. Whoever is not is relegated to the bench or will be traded.

Simple as that...

But TBH Fournier is someone I REALLY want to keep at this point. But I feel like he's going to be pricey once he hits the FA market...

[Mannchild]

Great write up. That being said, i think horford would be a huge mistake for this team. I feel like he has already experienced his prime and is already slowing down.

[407Junkie]

Whatever they do they need to do or trade somebody for someone. A bonafide star on this team I just dont see it. The closest to potentially be I e is A. Gordon and that's 2 or 3 years away. Someone of these overrated pieces gotta be shipped out for a true scorer if they ever wanna win.

[MagicStarwipe]

Whatever they do they need to do or trade somebody for someone. A bonafide star on this team I just dont see it. The closest to potentially be I e is A. Gordon and that's 2 or 3 years away. Someone of these overrated pieces gotta be shipped out for a true scorer if they ever wanna win.

It's probably never going to happen if we keep f-ing up his development. Actually he'll probably be the one that we trade, and he'll blow up somewhere else.

[Smitty731]

Hey all,

Thought you might be interested in a piece I wrote for the site. As I thought about the Magic and upcoming roster decisions, I kept coming back to Evan Fournier and what happens with him will decide the future of the rest of the roster.

I'd love any feedback that any of you have!

Smitty

http://basketball.realgm.com/analysis/239815/How-Evan-Fournier-Will-Determine-The-Next-Steps-For-The-Magic

I enjoy Magic reads, so thank you!

I have a couple of questions if you don't mind. It was rumored that Fournier was seeking a deal that committed the Magic to around $12M per season and the divide pushed talks to next summer. At that price tag, do you think it is in the best interest of the team to retain him?

Second question... you said that "the Magic project to have enough money available to sign a max free agent, or get really close, pending their decision on Fournier". Can the Magic sign a max FA if they commit $12M+ to Fournier?

1. I would go somewhere between 10-12 on Fournier. It makes sense to keep him at that number. Once salaries start coming out, most will be surprised how many guys get that much. It is the new norm with where the Cap is headed.

2. Probably not. But they would also then make some other moves to further balance the roster. Depending on what happens there, they could free up the money. They definitely can get to the money if they really want to. But to just have it, probably not if they sign Fournier for anything north of 10 million.