Is it time to go all in?

MagicHolland · Post #1 » by **MagicHolland** » Mon Jul 8, 2019 1:50 pm

Hey guys, it's been a while since I've posted anything substantial in here. Still I read this board daily. How have you guys been?

Alright, on topic. Let me start by saying that I'm so happy to see our Magic back in the playoffs and finally play some meaningful minutes again! It's been way too long! It's also really nice to see that chemistry and development have finally paid of with an playoff berth. Hope we can start a new streak of playoff experiences.

The NBA off season so far has been crazy to say the least. For the first time in years I feel like there is no clear cut favorite to win it all. So many teams have made bold moves, teams that feel that their time is now. For example the Nets, Clippers, Jazz and off course the Lakers. And I don't think teams are done yet. The Magic in the meanwhile have retained the guys that helped or lead our Magic back into the playoff picture.

Now as much as I enjoy the Magic being somewhat relevant again, it should not be the end goal. The way I see it, is how probable is it that, with our current group of guys, we're a true contender? Let's say Fultz turns out to be a good/great PG, Gordon, Isaac and Mo keep on improving and Ross, Vuc, Aminu and Fournier are the steady veterans and bring the same as last year. Would that be enough to really be a true title contender?

With the resigning of Vuc and Ross our hands are tied for the next few years, and even if we would have capspace available, how likely is it for Orlando to sign a star? With being mediocre we are also assured to not have a high draft pick so odds of striking gold through the draft are also slim. IMO that leaves us with two options. One option is to stay the course and see where our current group of guys will bring us and the other is going all in and being aggresive in pursuing a true star.

It's not my intention to get into details on who to target and what to give up to get him. This might just be the offseason where players are available. Just to name some players that could be available now or in the near future; Westbrook, Paul, Russell, Beal, McCollum, Griffin. Might miss some and neither am I saying that these players are a sure fire shot to make us a contender. Either way you go it's a gamble.

What is your preference, go all in or stay the course??

tiderulz · Post #2 » by **tiderulz** » Mon Jul 8, 2019 1:55 pm

i dont mind making a move, but not for a monster contract player over 30 (Russ, CP3, Griffin). especially as all 3 have major injury risk or injury history.

I wouldnt mind a move at Russell/Beal or CJ to a lesser extent.

so i cant answer your pole. I'm semi-all in, depending on who the Magic would target.

Tarheel · Post #3 » by **Tarheel** » Mon Jul 8, 2019 2:00 pm

I agree with Tide - it's not a case of all-in or not, but whether we can make a logical move for a player that fits our team at the right price without mortgaging our future. Any move that we make shouldn't come at the expense of further improving the team in the future.

No to CP3, Russ or Griffin in any event for me though. Those contracts are too chunky.

MagicHolland · Post #4 » by **MagicHolland** » Mon Jul 8, 2019 2:04 pm

tiderulz wrote:i dont mind making a move, but not for a monster contract player over 30 (Russ, CP3, Griffin). especially as all 3 have major injury risk or injury history.

I wouldnt mind a move at Russell/Beal or CJ to a lesser extent.

so i cant answer your pole. I'm semi-all in, depending on who the Magic would target.

I can definately understand your position and no I would not go all in on some of the names mentioned. But it's the midset what I mean. For example, take Beal.. If we'd really want him I think we could put up a solid return for the Wiz. But we'd have to be agressive. In other words, go all in.

BDill012 · Post #5 » by **BDill012** » Mon Jul 8, 2019 2:16 pm

The reason I vote for "stay the course" is that I would like them to see the plan out. One of the things that I have been most frustrated with through the years is when they start to look like they might be moving in the right direction they try to skip a step or two and it backfires.

tiderulz · Post #6 » by **tiderulz** » Mon Jul 8, 2019 2:45 pm

BDill012 wrote:The reason I vote for "stay the course" is that I would like them to see the plan out. One of the things that I have been most frustrated with through the years is when they start to look like they might be moving in the right direction they try to skip a step or two and it backfires.

but is it skipping a step or seizing an opportunity? all depends on the move you make and people you target.

BDill012 · Post #7 » by **BDill012** » Mon Jul 8, 2019 2:53 pm

tiderulz wrote:
BDill012 wrote:The reason I vote for "stay the course" is that I would like them to see the plan out. One of the things that I have been most frustrated with through the years is when they start to look like they might be moving in the right direction they try to skip a step or two and it backfires.

but is it skipping a step or seizing an opportunity? all depends on the move you make and people you target.

I can get behind the right move, don't get me wrong. I am admittedly a little apprehensive as I have seen the franchise move on from some guys early that I wish they had not.

Honestly, it might not be skipping steps if this was the goal all along.

MoMM · Post #8 » by **MoMM** » Mon Jul 8, 2019 2:53 pm

No to all in for older players, but I'd trade part of our young core for Beal or McCollum.

MagicHolland · Post #9 » by **MagicHolland** » Mon Jul 8, 2019 2:57 pm

tiderulz wrote:
BDill012 wrote:The reason I vote for "stay the course" is that I would like them to see the plan out. One of the things that I have been most frustrated with through the years is when they start to look like they might be moving in the right direction they try to skip a step or two and it backfires.

but is it skipping a step or seizing an opportunity? all depends on the move you make and people you target.

Exactly, just to show an example not to get into trade specifics. Beal for Gordon, Bamba, Okeke and our FRP next year or Fournier, Isaac, Okeke and our first round pick. In my opinion that'd be a bold trade and I'd like to think it at least makes Washington consider.

From our perspective we lose assets and gamble but with our depth at 3-4-5 (assuming Birch also returns) we could manage..

I'd say thats an all in move..

Skybox · Post #10 » by **Skybox** » Mon Jul 8, 2019 2:57 pm

I’m all in for Beal, CJ, DLo...I am especially intrigued by Westbrook now because I believe we can get him without destroying our young core. In my estimation, we would give up one of BIG only. The other, younger stars would probably require a bigger sacrifice to our medium term

j-ragg · Post #11 » by **j-ragg** » Mon Jul 8, 2019 3:00 pm

Within reason I agree to going all in. Especially for Beal but even if someone like Jaylen Brown (for less of a package) was available, I think taking a risk on someone with star potential that might help balance the roster is something to look at. Wouldn’t want RWB at all though.

VFX · Post #12 » by **VFX** » Mon Jul 8, 2019 3:00 pm

Not enough assets. No star player. Too far away. No.

MartinsIzAfraud · Post #13 » by **MartinsIzAfraud** » Mon Jul 8, 2019 3:04 pm

Going all in right now is the Martins "Playoffs or Bust" scenario from 3 years ago. Goals for this upcoming season should be:

Fultz shows up
Bamba is fit/in shape
Vuc/TRoss show it wasn't contract year fluke
Stay Healthy
Make Playoffs again

Skin · Post #14 » by **Skin** » Mon Jul 8, 2019 5:12 pm

Stay the course. Our real ability to become a contender hinges on Isaac, Bamba, Fultz and Okeke coming to fruition. If and when they do, THEN we make a push.

Vuc, Fournier, Ross, Aminu.... the are just transitional placeholders to ensure that we remain playoff worthy.

AshBlackstone · Post #15 » by **AshBlackstone** » Mon Jul 8, 2019 5:19 pm

Don’t we already have this thread basically with the Westbrook trade thread?

OrlandoSaban · Post #16 » by **OrlandoSaban** » Mon Jul 8, 2019 5:28 pm

I'm sick of losing - ALL IN

OrlandoNed · Post #17 » by **OrlandoNed** » Mon Jul 8, 2019 5:46 pm

OrlandoSaban wrote:I'm sick of losing - ALL IN

Famous last words. Up there with classics like: "YOLO", "Hey y'all, watch this" and "Hold my beer".

j-ragg · Post #18 » by **j-ragg** » Mon Jul 8, 2019 5:51 pm

Skin wrote:Stay the course. Our real ability to become a contender hinges on Isaac, Bamba, Fultz and Okeke coming to fruition.

What if none of them seemingly have star potential, but we could add a star around most of them by going all in? Wouldn’t you be for that?

Skin · Post #19 » by **Skin** » Mon Jul 8, 2019 5:54 pm

j-ragg wrote:
Skin wrote:Stay the course. Our real ability to become a contender hinges on Isaac, Bamba, Fultz and Okeke coming to fruition.

What if none of them seemingly have star potential, but we could add a star around most of them by going all in? Wouldn’t you be for that?

Like what do you mean?

PrimeThyme · Post #20 » by **PrimeThyme** » Mon Jul 8, 2019 5:57 pm

I don’t think so. Ideally, these next two seasons we fight for the 4-7th seed and see internal improvements from guys like Isaac/Fultz/Bamba/AG. That would give us enough time to see where we officially stand with all of those players. If we find out that AG/Isaac can’t play together than maybe one of them gets moved. Maybe Bamba has developed to a point where he is ready to take on starter minutes and Vuc becomes expendable with his declining contract. Maybe Fultz has become healthy and figured it out.

Once some of those questions have been answered I’d be targeting the 2021 offseason as one where we could catapult ourselves into the conversation as a contender. That free agency class is absolutely loaded and guards like Beal/Holiday/Mccoullum/Demar will all be available. && that’s without mentioning some of the superstars we could potentially have a shot at depending on how much of a jump our core takes by then.

That’s when I’d be looking to go all in, but I think it would be premature to do so without answering some of those questions first.

All in or stay the course