Official Speculation Thread ‘19-'20 I: Big decisions on the horizon

[PrimeThyme]

Welp, that will do it for what was a successful 18'-19' season in my eyes. Now we move onto an offseason that will most certainly answer a lot of questions as to what the direction of this team will be going forward. Who will we draft? Will we trade the pick? Will we resign Vuc/Ross? If not Vuc/Ross who will we sign? Will Fournier or somebody else on the roster get moved? Will Fultz/Bamba get healthy..possibly healthy enough for summer league?

A lot of questions will be answered. Should be a long offseason filled with lots of debate.

[Mrrags009]

Fire em all. Seriously this was a season full of progress let enjoy that feeling for a moment before going crazy

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[Max Power]

I’ll call this season a success completely. 20 plus more wins than expected. An All Star selection, a 6th man of the year contender, a division title. The future looks great for the Magic and I’m excited to see an improved Issac and Bamba contribute more next season. If Markelle Fultz fulfills his potential the Magic really should make a return to the postseason if Vuc and Ross resign and have similar production. I think another scorer, a legit young pg prospect and some salty bigs to protect the paint solve most of the Magic’s major problems.

[OrlandoNed]

Here's hoping the front office avoids the easy choices and makes the RIGHT choices in the offseason.

[jayrehme]

We need to let our young defensive juggernauts grow (AG, Isaac) and keep our cap situation clear for free agent opportunities. We could be sitting pretty cap-wise if we don't F it up.

[Knightro]

I would not under any circumstances go 4 years on Vucevic or Ross. If they're asking for 4 years, just shake their hands, thank them for their service and wish them well in their future endeavors.

I'd rather give Vucevic 30M a year over 2 years than 20M a year over 4 years.

[Viper1500]

After watching this series, it's clear what they're worth.

Vuc 17-18m a year
Ross 12m a year

If they want more, move on.

[Def Swami]

I would not under any circumstances go 4 years on Vucevic or Ross. If they're asking for 4 years, just shake their hands, thank them for their service and wish them well in their future endeavors.

I'd rather give Vucevic 30M a year over 2 years than 20M a year over 3-4 years.

That's how I'd approach the Vucevic deal as well. The years are more important to me than the actual money. You could talk me into a $51-54 million/3 year deal.

[MagicStarwipe]

I don't think either Vuc or Ross will re-sign, but we'll see what happens. I'd welcome them back if the price is right but I don't think it will be.

[Nightman]

Oh well, back to the same old routine of waiting for the draft and summer league.

[BlueBalls]

I’d take either one back for the right deal, but they’re both going to demand (and probably get) more than they’re worth. I’d be fine with them both moving on, especially Vucevíc, but I’m much more motivated to get rid of Fournier and DJ by any means necessary.

[rcklsscognition]

It feels weird but I can't be the only one happy the playoffs are actually over for us. We were dead in the water since game 2. Time to miss a generational superstar by a pick or two in the draft!

[Knightro]

There's two realistic paths to this offseason. Whichever path they decide, I hope they go after it full throat. I don't want them to take a half measure and keep some veterans, but get rid of others.

Path 1: Get Better
-Resign Vuc
-Resign Ross
-Resign Birch
-Resign MCW
-Acquire the best guard/wing available via trade (Jrue? McCollum? Conley?)
-Develop Fultz, Bamba, Isaac, Iwundu, Frazier and both 2019 draft picks to their max capabilities
-Use the MLE for an additional upgrade
-If needed, stretch Mozgov for additional cap space
-Explore trading Fournier for cap space (use 1st round pick as bait?)

Path 2: Blow It Up
-Let Vuc walk
-Let Ross walk
-Let MCW walk
-50/50 on Birch
-Retain Gordon no matter what
-Trade Augustin for best available offer (longer contract + draft asset)
-Trade Fournier for best available offer (longer/bigger contract + draft asset)
-Build around Fultz/Isaac/Gordon/Bamba/2019 1st
-Do NOT use money saved to sign new free agents
-Trade Mozgov for a longer contract in exchange for draft asset

[MagicFan101]

N/A - insufficient data is provided in these options to offer the correct response.

Both are productive enough for us to want back at the right price.

Neither is good enough to want back at the wrong price.

[thelead]

After watching this series, it's clear what they're worth.

Vuc 17-18m a year
Ross 12m a year

If they want more, move on.

Those are my numbers as well.

[mattyBoi]

There's two realistic paths to this offseason. Whichever path they decide, I hope they go after it full throat. I don't want them to take a half measure and keep some veterans, but get rid of others.

Path 1: Get Better
-Resign Vuc
-Resign Ross
-Resign Birch
-Resign MCW
-Acquire the best guard/wing available via trade (Jrue? McCollum? Conley?)
-Develop Fultz, Bamba, Isaac, Iwundu, Frazier and both 2019 draft picks to their max capabilities
-Use the MLE for an additional upgrade
-If needed, stretch Mozgov for additional cap space
-Explore trading Fournier for cap space (use 1st round pick as bait?)

Path 2: Blow It Up
-Let Vuc walk
-Let Ross walk
-Let MCW walk
-50/50 on Birch
-Retain Gordon no matter what
-Trade Augustin for best available offer (longer contract + draft asset)
-Trade Fournier for best available offer (longer/bigger contract + draft asset)
-Build around Fultz/Isaac/Gordon/Bamba/2019 1st
-Do NOT use money saved to sign new free agents
-Trade Mozgov for a longer contract in exchange for draft asset

I actually think there's a middle ground here that involves blowing it up, retaining some players, adding some players, investing in our youth, and possibly getting better. That's what I'm hoping for.

[J_Magic]

Whatever happens, we aint the Pistons. Time to understand that we need an offensive wing/guard that will go off 25ppg every night.

I would like to resign both Vuc and Ross. It will be interesting to see what the market offers them. Maybe we should start at 12 million for TRoss and 18 million for Vuc.

[Knightro]

I actually think there's a middle ground here that involves blowing it up, retaining some players, adding some players, investing in our youth, and possibly getting better. That's what I'm hoping for.

I guess I'm just not really seeing or understanding what that middle ground would be.

If they let Vucevic walk, I just don't see any way they're going to avoid being much worse next year. So if they decide to go that route, my thought process shifts to a full blown youth movement and rebuilding situation.

Trade Augustin's expiring for someone with multiple years left and a protected future 1st.
Trade Mozgov's expiring for someone with multiple years left and a protected future 1st.

G: Fultz, Briscoe
G: Fournier, 2019 1st
F: Gordon, Iwundu
F: Isaac, 2019 2nd
C: Bamba, Birch

I'm curious to hear how you would pull off something in the middle ground.

I don't think there's a legitimate path to being good next year if they don't retain Vucevic.

[Knightro]

Purely hypothetical...

Evan Fournier and Mo Bamba for Jrue Holiday

Who says no?

[fendilim]

Definitely think Vuc can re-sign for less than the max. I think it will end up on how much the highest salary he can get from another team COMPARED to the highest salary we will offer.

I say this for exactly the same reason he signed the bargain of a contract extension the year before the salary cap jocked up like double the amount.

1.) He signed the extension based on his potential, now based on whether he can continue performing at this level.
2.) Stupid player agent. Timing of the contract extension he signed was right before the salary cap doubled.
3.) Family Stability
4.) European.. Europeans tend to stay in one team, or sign for less. Max europeans players of the past, Pau and Dirk (am I missing someone else?) Vuc very well knows he isnt like those guys. Lol
5.) Wife Fournier still on the team.


TRoss. I`d love to re-sign him, but I dont think we give him a huge payday. He is hot and cold. He is a perfect player off the bench who cam give you instant buckets, whn he is feeling it. But I think we need to improve our bench still. Re-signing him and get another scorer to play with him.

I dont think we`re tanking but building on the improvements this season. Management may just be content on being a fringe playoff team every year, unfortunately. The signing of Steve Clifford and not blowing up the entire roster last season pretty much says it all.