ezzzp wrote:Having a huge need at starting PG doesn't mean that it could have been fixed with the Mid Level Exception. The Magic already have an MLE type PG in Augustin + they have Fultz who I believe the FO want to give a legit shot to, as they should.
While I liked Tomas Satoransky and Tyus Jones as back up PG's, both signed with the MLE...neither solve the long term starting PG issue. That MLE range isn't were you find that type of player. Meanwhile, Fultz might fill that role if he can play, so the best strategy is to wait and see what he does before throwing money at the back up PG role when the Magic already have 4 options to fill that role: DJ, Fultz, MCW, and Briscoe.
If Fultz doesn't work, I expect the FO will make a consolidation trade to solve the back court issue when the opportunity arises.
Very much this.
DJ Augustin is not a high end starting point guard. I think even the biggest homer Magic fan would admit this. He's solidly in the 15-25 range among NBA starting point guards. Not great, but not awful either. The Magic absolutely do need to upgrade him at some point, no one is denying this.
The problem is that Tomas Satoransky, Tyus Jones and Delon Wright simply aren't those guys. They're solid backup PGs, but the Magic already have a possible backup PG making close to 10M and another backup/3rd string caliber PG on the minimum.
MAYBE those three guys are significantly better than the unknown Fultz, but maybe they're all on the same level. And while I agree they're all better than MCW, I'm not convinced any of them are dramatically better than what MCW would give you in 18 minutes a night as a backup.
I just don't see the point in adding another half measure at a position where you already have three half measures.
Aminu provides a clear upgrade over Iwundu/Martin as the primary backup 3/4 and combined with Okeke gives the Magic plenty of insurance against trading away Aaron Gordon for a backcourt playmaker (D'Angelo Russell on December 15th perhaps?).
