Regular Season Game 28: Chicago Bulls (6-22) at Orlando Magic/Mexico City (12-15)

[Knightro]

I think we have mutual respect for each other as posters here. We can disagree on this without you having to tell me to get real. I don't think its nearly as far-fetched as you are making it out to be. All I am saying is that all 3 of the scenarios I brought up have great point guard depth with backups playing at a high level and starting point guards on expiring contracts (Except for Teague). I brought up Collison over Joseph because Pacers fans are so high on Cory that many on their board would rather trade Collison over Jospeh.

Those are just examples. Ive also been a proponent of a John wall trade on this board. Im even open to trading for Russell so that we have his rights in free agency. I think Fournier's value will start to rise again. I still dont believe that this slump will last forever.

You're right. I shouldn't have crossed the line like that. My apologies.

I just think the Magic are going to find it very challenging to find legitimate upgrades off Grant, Fournier and Simmons when the only guys they want to give up are... Grant (awful), Fournier (bad contract) and Simmons (awful).

If they can find a deal involving those players, I'm 100% full force on board with making it happen.

That said...

If they can't find a deal involving those players, I am pretty much content letting this season play out, barely missing the playoffs (which will mean a top 7 or 8 draft pick because of how strong 9-14 is in the West) and heading into free agency with enough money to sign whatever free agent PG or SG that wants to come here.

Take this year's current rotation (which may win 35) and put D'Angelo Russell in Grant's spot and Romeo Langford in Simmons' spot (or Morant in Grant's and Brogdon in Simmons' spot) and the Magic are probably a 45 win team when you factor in internal improvements by Isaac, Bamba and Gordon.

[yoyojw17]

I think we have mutual respect for each other as posters here. We can disagree on this without you having to tell me to get real. I don't think its nearly as far-fetched as you are making it out to be. All I am saying is that all 3 of the scenarios I brought up have great point guard depth with backups playing at a high level and starting point guards on expiring contracts (Except for Teague). I brought up Collison over Joseph because Pacers fans are so high on Cory that many on their board would rather trade Collison over Jospeh.

Those are just examples. Ive also been a proponent of a John wall trade on this board. Im even open to trading for Russell so that we have his rights in free agency. I think Fournier's value will start to rise again. I still dont believe that this slump will last forever.

You're right. I shouldn't have crossed the line like that. My apologies.

I just think the Magic are going to find it very challenging to find legitimate upgrades off Grant, Fournier and Simmons when the only guys they want to give up are... Grant (awful), Fournier (bad contract) and Simmons (awful).

If they can find a deal involving those players, I'm 100% full force on board with making it happen.

That said...

If they can't find a deal involving those players, I am pretty much content letting this season play out, barely missing the playoffs (which will mean a top 7 or 8 draft pick because of how strong 9-14 is in the West) and heading into free agency with enough money to sign whatever free agent PG or SG that wants to come here.

Take this year's current rotation (which may win 35) and put D'Angelo Russell in Grant's spot and Romeo Langford in Simmons' spot (or Morant in Grant's and Brogdon in Simmons' spot) and the Magic are probably a 45 win team when you factor in internal improvements by Isaac, Bamba and Gordon.

Just because nothing has been done people get anxious and assume that these guys aren't looking under rocks for options. The thing is.... they might have a master plan that they want to maintain.... things that they want to maintain..... and you just gotta work around and uphold those. (preserving certain players... capspace etc)

and i agree with you. If they don't find something that will make an immediate "couple notches on the belt" type improvements they can stand pat and make their decisions in the summer. But this year better be the year that the culture truly changes.

and both options.... you suggested.... especially the Morant/Brogdon one... would totally change this team. And yes i would have the hopes of us resigning both ross and vuc... because i see them playing huge parts in the immediate success of the team.

Imagine a lineup of

Morant (probably starting by this time next year)/ Augustin (I like him a lot just not starter quality)
Brogdon (swiss army knife guard and good defender)/ Fournier (hope stella gets his groove back)
Isaac (Another step forward in physical and player maturity)/TRoss (Mr. 6th Man)
Gordon (Consistency and role solidifies)/?? (More minutes for isaac and Ross lol)
Vuc (returning ALL STAR)/Bamba (The Future)

That team would be exciting to start off the next season.

And if Morant won't be available.... Russell sounds great to me too... as i think he will hit 5th gear next... and there are some good wings in this draft.

SO... needless to say... it would be nice to see something happen as a fan.... but not wanting something to happen JUST to happen.

Frank or Fultz ON THE CHEAP ain't that bad idea... and if it happens we'll hope for the best. Could be great pay offs!

[Def Swami]

I think we have mutual respect for each other as posters here. We can disagree on this without you having to tell me to get real. I don't think its nearly as far-fetched as you are making it out to be. All I am saying is that all 3 of the scenarios I brought up have great point guard depth with backups playing at a high level and starting point guards on expiring contracts (Except for Teague). I brought up Collison over Joseph because Pacers fans are so high on Cory that many on their board would rather trade Collison over Jospeh.

Those are just examples. Ive also been a proponent of a John wall trade on this board. Im even open to trading for Russell so that we have his rights in free agency. I think Fournier's value will start to rise again. I still dont believe that this slump will last forever.

You're right. I shouldn't have crossed the line like that. My apologies.

I just think the Magic are going to find it very challenging to find legitimate upgrades off Grant, Fournier and Simmons when the only guys they want to give up are... Grant (awful), Fournier (bad contract) and Simmons (awful).

If they can find a deal involving those players, I'm 100% full force on board with making it happen.

That said...

If they can't find a deal involving those players, I am pretty much content letting this season play out, barely missing the playoffs (which will mean a top 7 or 8 draft pick because of how strong 9-14 is in the West) and heading into free agency with enough money to sign whatever free agent PG or SG that wants to come here.

Take this year's current rotation (which may win 35) and put D'Angelo Russell in Grant's spot and Romeo Langford in Simmons' spot (or Morant in Grant's and Brogdon in Simmons' spot) and the Magic are probably a 45 win team when you factor in internal improvements by Isaac, Bamba and Gordon.

I'm as frustrated by the guard rotation as well. But, I agree. I don't anticipate the Magic making any moves that would hamper their playoff hopes, and I don't anticipate that they want to take on long term salary. I think they're looking forward to having money to spend this off-season to address weaknesses (I really like the Malcolm Brogdon idea). I don't believe that Weltman and Hammond are super concerned about making the playoffs, so much as they just want to see the team try to win as many games as possible. Wherever the chips fall at the end of the season, they'll live with and go forward. And that's probably how they should approach it. Making an 8th seed and getting into the playoffs is nice, but it's not that big of a deal if the Magic fall short to 9th or 10th. In the grand scheme of things, the seeding is less relevant than number of wins and actual growth.

I think the Magic are going to use the assets talked about to make a slight upgrade if they can. It's still early in the season. Most teams don't get serious about trades until around now. And most of them are going to occur at the deadline.

[NotACat]

I think we have mutual respect for each other as posters here. We can disagree on this without you having to tell me to get real. I don't think its nearly as far-fetched as you are making it out to be. All I am saying is that all 3 of the scenarios I brought up have great point guard depth with backups playing at a high level and starting point guards on expiring contracts (Except for Teague). I brought up Collison over Joseph because Pacers fans are so high on Cory that many on their board would rather trade Collison over Jospeh.

Those are just examples. Ive also been a proponent of a John wall trade on this board. Im even open to trading for Russell so that we have his rights in free agency. I think Fournier's value will start to rise again. I still dont believe that this slump will last forever.

You're right. I shouldn't have crossed the line like that. My apologies.

I just think the Magic are going to find it very challenging to find legitimate upgrades off Grant, Fournier and Simmons when the only guys they want to give up are... Grant (awful), Fournier (bad contract) and Simmons (awful).

If they can find a deal involving those players, I'm 100% full force on board with making it happen.

That said...

If they can't find a deal involving those players, I am pretty much content letting this season play out, barely missing the playoffs (which will mean a top 7 or 8 draft pick because of how strong 9-14 is in the West) and heading into free agency with enough money to sign whatever free agent PG or SG that wants to come here.

Take this year's current rotation (which may win 35) and put D'Angelo Russell in Grant's spot and Romeo Langford in Simmons' spot (or Morant in Grant's and Brogdon in Simmons' spot) and the Magic are probably a 45 win team when you factor in internal improvements by Isaac, Bamba and Gordon.

Just because nothing has been done people get anxious and assume that these guys aren't looking under rocks for options. The thing is.... they might have a master plan that they want to maintain.... things that they want to maintain..... and you just gotta work around and uphold those. (preserving certain players... capspace etc)

and i agree with you. If they don't find something that will make an immediate "couple notches on the belt" type improvements they can stand pat and make their decisions in the summer. But this year better be the year that the culture truly changes.

and both options.... you suggested.... especially the Morant/Brogdon one... would totally change this team. And yes i would have the hopes of us resigning both ross and vuc... because i see them playing huge parts in the immediate success of the team.

Imagine a lineup of

Morant (probably starting by this time next year)/ Augustin (I like him a lot just not starter quality)
Brogdon (swiss army knife guard and good defender)/ Fournier (hope stella gets his groove back)
Isaac (Another step forward in physical and player maturity)/TRoss (Mr. 6th Man)
Gordon (Consistency and role solidifies)/?? (More minutes for isaac and Ross lol)
Vuc (returning ALL STAR)/Bamba (The Future)

That team would be exciting to start off the next season.

And if Morant won't be available.... Russell sounds great to me too... as i think he will hit 5th gear next... and there are some good wings in this draft.

SO... needless to say... it would be nice to see something happen as a fan.... but not wanting something to happen JUST to happen.

Frank or Fultz ON THE CHEAP ain't that bad idea... and if it happens we'll hope for the best. Could be great pay offs!

Don't forget Darius Garland from Vanderbilt. He got hurt, but he looked great.

[EAS Law]

Good lord, reading some of your posts you’d think we got waxed. We won the **** game! Past years team would have choked this game away. Do we need improvements? Obviously, but bitch about that on some other night when we lose.

We played like past years teams last night. The bulls just lost by FIFTY-SIX POINTS. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such an undisciplined team as the bulls. They have some talent but they play some of the worst professional basketball I’ve ever seen. I don’t think ANY team we’ve had during this rebuild is as bad as these bulls and we barely beat them. But sure, be happy with the win.

Do you expect the Bulls to lose by 50pts every night because of that one outing? You don’t think they might have come out to play after being embarrassed and creating a national story over how badly they played? They clearly played that game as hard as they could and we withstoood their best shot.

Mind you, this same Magic team that everyone has been so down on has only lost about 3-4 games badly this season against good competition and we’ve won games against some of the top teams in the league, also pushing the consensus best team in the NBA to the wire just a couple of weeks ago.

Here is the crazy secret—we are rebooting a rebuild and this is year two. We haven’t had great luck to say we should be in a position where we have such high expectations. Playoffs would be a great year for us and I’d suggest everyone enjoy the journey while we build something rather than expect a bad lotto team to be flush with talent the following year or dismantle everything that we have going for us chasing unrealistic and unfair expectations

[AddiFB]

We're gonna set a new low scoring record, aren't we?

[SOUL]

Wow! Points!

[yoyojw17]

You're right. I shouldn't have crossed the line like that. My apologies.

I just think the Magic are going to find it very challenging to find legitimate upgrades off Grant, Fournier and Simmons when the only guys they want to give up are... Grant (awful), Fournier (bad contract) and Simmons (awful).

If they can find a deal involving those players, I'm 100% full force on board with making it happen.

That said...

If they can't find a deal involving those players, I am pretty much content letting this season play out, barely missing the playoffs (which will mean a top 7 or 8 draft pick because of how strong 9-14 is in the West) and heading into free agency with enough money to sign whatever free agent PG or SG that wants to come here.

Take this year's current rotation (which may win 35) and put D'Angelo Russell in Grant's spot and Romeo Langford in Simmons' spot (or Morant in Grant's and Brogdon in Simmons' spot) and the Magic are probably a 45 win team when you factor in internal improvements by Isaac, Bamba and Gordon.

Just because nothing has been done people get anxious and assume that these guys aren't looking under rocks for options. The thing is.... they might have a master plan that they want to maintain.... things that they want to maintain..... and you just gotta work around and uphold those. (preserving certain players... capspace etc)

and i agree with you. If they don't find something that will make an immediate "couple notches on the belt" type improvements they can stand pat and make their decisions in the summer. But this year better be the year that the culture truly changes.

and both options.... you suggested.... especially the Morant/Brogdon one... would totally change this team. And yes i would have the hopes of us resigning both ross and vuc... because i see them playing huge parts in the immediate success of the team.

Imagine a lineup of

Morant (probably starting by this time next year)/ Augustin (I like him a lot just not starter quality)
Brogdon (swiss army knife guard and good defender)/ Fournier (hope stella gets his groove back)
Isaac (Another step forward in physical and player maturity)/TRoss (Mr. 6th Man)
Gordon (Consistency and role solidifies)/?? (More minutes for isaac and Ross lol)
Vuc (returning ALL STAR)/Bamba (The Future)

That team would be exciting to start off the next season.

And if Morant won't be available.... Russell sounds great to me too... as i think he will hit 5th gear next... and there are some good wings in this draft.

SO... needless to say... it would be nice to see something happen as a fan.... but not wanting something to happen JUST to happen.

Frank or Fultz ON THE CHEAP ain't that bad idea... and if it happens we'll hope for the best. Could be great pay offs!

Don't forget Darius Garland from Vanderbilt. He got hurt, but he looked great.

I like him too... just didn't know if he was gonna come out this draft still or not. We'll see. But I'm gonna give them the benefit of the doubt before whipping out torches and pitch forks. hahaha. Still got trust in their planning. We'll see if that stays up or not.