Regular Season Game 66: Orlando Magic (30-35) at Philadelphia 76ers (40-23) - 7:00 PM ET

[pepe1991]

I don't think any fan really puts lot of stock in Fultz... And other Magic issues are obvious, complete lack of stars and inability to find players that can play with ball in their hands through close games.

[VFX]

All extremely valid points. For whatever reason, I don’t view Fultz as a basketball commodity until he’s able to contribute on an nba floor in any fashion. Regardless, there’s a slim chance he alone is able to fill the void of Orlando’s stagnant and lacking offense. I think this roster is one or two trades away.

You're not wrong.

Fultz for all intents and purposes doesn't exist until he can actually return to the court. If that ever happens, then we can evaluate where he's at and what he'll ultimately be capable of.

That said... I was simply suggesting Fultz is the only in-house option who seems even have the faint possibility to solve the offensive woes.

Gordon isn't it. Isaac and Bamba have potential to do good things in their own ways, but neither of them are going to be primary scorers. Vucevic is a really skilled player, but he doesn't draw fouls and can be taken out of the game in crunch time moments in a variety of ways. Ross is a jump shooter. Fournier has had a bad season.

You look at the roster as it stands and the only guy who seemingly could become a legitimate foul drawing, easy basket generating offensive threat is Fultz and even that seems like a long-shot given his issues.

I am rapidly approaching the point where I think trading Gordon for an offensive minded point or wing is almost a must if they're going to continue on with this group of players (aka resign Vucevic and Ross).

Thats absolutely where this is headed.

[tiderulz]

All extremely valid points. For whatever reason, I don’t view Fultz as a basketball commodity until he’s able to contribute on an nba floor in any fashion. Regardless, there’s a slim chance he alone is able to fill the void of Orlando’s stagnant and lacking offense. I think this roster is one or two trades away.

You're not wrong.

Fultz for all intents and purposes doesn't exist until he can actually return to the court. If that ever happens, then we can evaluate where he's at and what he'll ultimately be capable of.

That said... I was simply suggesting Fultz is the only in-house option who seems even have the faint possibility to solve the offensive woes.

Gordon isn't it. Isaac and Bamba have potential to do good things in their own ways, but neither of them are going to be primary scorers. Vucevic is a really skilled player, but he doesn't draw fouls and can be taken out of the game in crunch time moments in a variety of ways. Ross is a jump shooter. Fournier has had a bad season.

You look at the roster as it stands and the only guy who seemingly could become a legitimate foul drawing, easy basket generating offensive threat is Fultz and even that seems like a long-shot given his issues.

I am rapidly approaching the point where I think trading Gordon for an offensive minded point or wing is almost a must if they're going to continue on with this group of players (aka resign Vucevic and Ross).

I completely agree with all of this. very well said

[Shady Franchise]

All extremely valid points. For whatever reason, I don’t view Fultz as a basketball commodity until he’s able to contribute on an nba floor in any fashion. Regardless, there’s a slim chance he alone is able to fill the void of Orlando’s stagnant and lacking offense. I think this roster is one or two trades away.

You're not wrong.

Fultz for all intents and purposes doesn't exist until he can actually return to the court. If that ever happens, then we can evaluate where he's at and what he'll ultimately be capable of.

That said... I was simply suggesting Fultz is the only in-house option who seems even have the faint possibility to solve the offensive woes.

Gordon isn't it. Isaac and Bamba have potential to do good things in their own ways, but neither of them are going to be primary scorers. Vucevic is a really skilled player, but he doesn't draw fouls and can be taken out of the game in crunch time moments in a variety of ways. Ross is a jump shooter. Fournier has had a bad season.

You look at the roster as it stands and the only guy who seemingly could become a legitimate foul drawing, easy basket generating offensive threat is Fultz and even that seems like a long-shot given his issues.

I am rapidly approaching the point where I think trading Gordon for an offensive minded point or wing is almost a must if they're going to continue on with this group of players (aka resign Vucevic and Ross).

I guess that's why McCollum for Gordon wasn't really a trade option. We already have Fournier, and Portland doesn't want Fournier. Not many scoring wings out there available, or scoring PGs that teams would be willing to give up for Gordon. We're kinda, sort of stuck because Gordon is good enough to be part of a larger trade, but we won't find that offensive scoring difference in a straight up swap for him.

[Knightro]

I guess that's why McCollum for Gordon wasn't really a trade option. We already have Fournier, and Portland doesn't want Fournier. Not many scoring wings out there available, or scoring PGs that teams would be willing to give up for Gordon. We're kinda, sort of stuck because Gordon is good enough to be part of a larger trade, but we won't find that offensive scoring difference in a straight up swap for him.

Who says no?

Portland outgoing
-CJ McCollum
-Meyers Leonard

Orlando outgoing
-Aaron Gordon
-Evan Fournier
-Mo Bamba

or

Portland outgoing
-CJ McCollum
-Moe Harkless

Orlando outgoing
-Aaron Gordon
-Evan Fournier
-2019 1st round pick

[MartinsIzAfraud]

I guess that's why McCollum for Gordon wasn't really a trade option. We already have Fournier, and Portland doesn't want Fournier. Not many scoring wings out there available, or scoring PGs that teams would be willing to give up for Gordon. We're kinda, sort of stuck because Gordon is good enough to be part of a larger trade, but we won't find that offensive scoring difference in a straight up swap for him.

Who says no?

Portland outgoing
-CJ McCollum
-Meyers Leonard

Orlando outgoing
-Aaron Gordon
-Evan Fournier
-Mo Bamba

or

Portland outgoing
-CJ McCollum
-Moe Harkless

Orlando outgoing
-Aaron Gordon
-Evan Fournier
-2019 1st round pick

both trades are a HUGE overpay for a player who IMO has a worse value than EF. McCollum is owed 27 & 29M the next 2 years and we've got people complaining about EF being paid 17M

[tiderulz]

I guess that's why McCollum for Gordon wasn't really a trade option. We already have Fournier, and Portland doesn't want Fournier. Not many scoring wings out there available, or scoring PGs that teams would be willing to give up for Gordon. We're kinda, sort of stuck because Gordon is good enough to be part of a larger trade, but we won't find that offensive scoring difference in a straight up swap for him.

Who says no?

Portland outgoing
-CJ McCollum
-Meyers Leonard

Orlando outgoing
-Aaron Gordon
-Evan Fournier
-Mo Bamba

or

Portland outgoing
-CJ McCollum
-Moe Harkless

Orlando outgoing
-Aaron Gordon
-Evan Fournier
-2019 1st round pick

both trades are a HUGE overpay for a player who IMO has a worse value than EF. McCollum is owed 27 & 29M the next 2 years and we've got people complaining about EF being paid 17M

yeah. if you had asked me 1-2 years ago, i might have considered it. I have cooled off a lot on CJ. the times Damian has been out, CJ has not been the big money player that he is paid to be, even worse on defense than Fournier. and i definitely wouldnt add a pick to get back Harkless, who somehow convinced Portland to throw him $10mil/yr while still being bad.

[Shady Franchise]

Who says no?

Portland outgoing
-CJ McCollum
-Meyers Leonard

Orlando outgoing
-Aaron Gordon
-Evan Fournier
-Mo Bamba

or

Portland outgoing
-CJ McCollum
-Moe Harkless

Orlando outgoing
-Aaron Gordon
-Evan Fournier
-2019 1st round pick

both trades are a HUGE overpay for a player who IMO has a worse value than EF. McCollum is owed 27 & 29M the next 2 years and we've got people complaining about EF being paid 17M

yeah. if you had asked me 1-2 years ago, i might have considered it. I have cooled off a lot on CJ. the times Damian has been out, CJ has not been the big money player that he is paid to be, even worse on defense than Fournier. and i definitely wouldnt add a pick to get back Harkless, who somehow convinced Portland to throw him $10mil/yr while still being bad.

Yup! I think a couple years ago, Portland would have found themselves quite pleased with Fournier and Gordon, or Fournier and a 1st, but now I'm not sure I'd swap Gordon straight up for McCollum. Besides, Fournier is now our Mr. Clutch!

[Knightro]

Harkless/Leonard are nothing more than expiring contracts. A vehicle to get out of Fournier's contract a year early.

Here's how the money shakes out...

McCollum
27.56M, 29.35M
Harkless
11.2M

Gordon
19.86M, 18.14M, 16.41M
Fournier
17M, 17M
2019 FRP
3M, 3.3M, 3.5M, 5.5M

Year 1: 1.1M in savings
Year 2: 9.09M in savings
Year 3: 19.91M in savings

So in theory the Magic could have their cake and eat it too by resigning Vucevic/Ross (thus keeping the team as competitive as humanly possible next season) while also reducing future payroll and creating a situation where they would still have a reasonable amount of 2020 cap space to chase free agents.

Is a rotation of...

Augustin/McCollum/Ross/Isaac/Vucevic
Fultz/Iwundu/Harkless/Bamba

Worse than what they're throwing out there right now? Plus they could use the MLE if they were so inclined in the summer of 2019 to address depth at the 3 and 4 spots.

[tiderulz]

Harkless/Leonard are nothing more than expiring contracts. A vehicle to get out of Fournier's contract a year early.

Here's how the money shakes out...

McCollum
27.56M, 29.35M
Harkless
11.2M

Gordon
19.86M, 18.14M, 16.41M
Fournier
17M, 17M
2019 FRP
3M, 3.3M, 3.5M, 5.5M

Year 1: 1.1M in savings
Year 2: 9.09M in savings
Year 3: 19.91M in savings

So in theory the Magic could have their cake and eat it too by resigning Vucevic/Ross (thus keeping the team as competitive as humanly possible next season) while also reducing future payroll and creating a situation where they would still have a reasonable amount of 2020 cap space to chase free agents.

Is a rotation of...

Augustin/McCollum/Ross/Isaac/Vucevic
Fultz/Iwundu/Harkless/Bamba

Worse than what they're throwing out there right now? Plus they could use the MLE if they were so inclined in the summer of 2019 to address depth at the 3 and 4 spots.

yes, but as much shade is thrown at Evan, you can pencil him in for at least 15 ppg, 3 apg right now (still think he plays better at SF than SG) Harkless you are spending $11mil for maybe 6 ppg. is that really worth just saving 1 year of Evan? maybe if you already have a target to spend the money on, but i dont think we have someone out there right now wanting to come to Orlando that we need that space for. let alone then overpaying for CJ at his high $$$

[NavalAviator94]

I vacillate on AG due to his offensive challenges, like many of you above. One interesting Idea is a trade around AG/filler for Jrue Holiday.

In that scenario you could conceivably let Ross walk, allowing for a Fultz/Jrue combo with Evan as your 6th man.

[VFX]

I guess that's why McCollum for Gordon wasn't really a trade option. We already have Fournier, and Portland doesn't want Fournier. Not many scoring wings out there available, or scoring PGs that teams would be willing to give up for Gordon. We're kinda, sort of stuck because Gordon is good enough to be part of a larger trade, but we won't find that offensive scoring difference in a straight up swap for him.

Who says no?

Portland outgoing
-CJ McCollum
-Meyers Leonard

Orlando outgoing
-Aaron Gordon
-Evan Fournier
-Mo Bamba

or

Portland outgoing
-CJ McCollum
-Moe Harkless

Orlando outgoing
-Aaron Gordon
-Evan Fournier
-2019 1st round pick

I don’t think you need a 1st or Bamba to get it done. CJ is older and more expensive contract. If management thinks that retaining Ross and Vuc are a “must” with this window, then they should pull the trigger. That being said, I’m not as high on CJ as most are, but the FO is boxing themselves into a corner and have to do something like this if they roll with this lineup. Offensive talent isn’t going to come from role player free agents and the 15th pick in the draft.

[Knightro]

I don’t think you need a 1st or Bamba to get it done. CJ is older and more expensive contract. If management thinks that retaining Ross and Vuc are a “must” with this window, then they should pull the trigger. That being said, I’m not as high on CJ as most are, but the FO is boxing themselves into a corner and have to do something like this if they roll with this lineup. Offensive talent isn’t going to come from role player free agents and the 15th pick in the draft.

So would you do...

Gordon/Forunier for McCollum and whatever expiring contract (Turner, Leonard or Harkless) to match salary?

[Optimus_Steel]

Losing to Philly was expected however it was a 1pt game in the final moments, just couldn't get the critical stops we needed. But this is why losing to Chi, NY, and Cle are devastating because you cannot make up for those losses.

[VFX]

I don’t think you need a 1st or Bamba to get it done. CJ is older and more expensive contract. If management thinks that retaining Ross and Vuc are a “must” with this window, then they should pull the trigger. That being said, I’m not as high on CJ as most are, but the FO is boxing themselves into a corner and have to do something like this if they roll with this lineup. Offensive talent isn’t going to come from role player free agents and the 15th pick in the draft.

So would you do...

Gordon/Forunier for McCollum and whatever expiring contract (Turner, Leonard or Harkless) to match salary?

Yes. But again, only if the FO decides to resign Ross and Vuc to long contracts with the intention of this being the team moving forward.