Chuma Okeke drafted #16 by the Orlando Magic

[tiderulz]

i dont think anyone is saying Chuma wont be a good player. But NAW was a good player, and fit a need.

and to be honest right now, we dont know if either player is a star or not. No one had Donovan Mitchell being a star, nor Draymond green, tony parker, etc, etc, etc.

Alexander-Walker only fit an immediate need if you think he can play point guard right now as a rookie.

If you think he's a SG, the Magic already have a 17M a year starter and a 13.5M a year backup.

He would have had the opportunity to *eventually* replace Fournier, but it certainly wouldn't have happened this year.

NAW would be behind DJ and Evan as someone capable of handling the ball and creating a shot. Ross plays both SF and SG. NAW would be an upgrade over Iwundu, so he could possibly siphon those minutes.

And who cares if he doesnt replace Fournier this year. You dont really expect a rookie to do that. We havent drafted anyone in the past 6-7 years, even so many top-6 picks, that came in and replaced anyone their rookie year. I wouldnt expect that from NAW

[zaymon]

i dont think anyone is saying Chuma wont be a good player. But NAW was a good player, and fit a need.

and to be honest right now, we dont know if either player is a star or not. No one had Donovan Mitchell being a star, nor Draymond green, tony parker, etc, etc, etc.

Alexander-Walker only fit an immediate need if you think he can play point guard right now as a rookie.

If you think he's a SG, the Magic already have a 17M a year starter and a 13.5M a year backup.

Yeah he would have the opportunity to *eventually* replace Fournier, but it certainly wouldn't have happened this year.

He fits much more of a long term need than Chuma does for us. Whether you want to classify it as a longterm or short term one, its a need regardless. Ross can play backup SF and Fournier becomes an expiring contract next summer. Two of our core pieces play the same position as Chuma and we just signed another switchy forward to a 3 year contract.

You either believe he's going to become a career backup or believe he becomes good enough to have to trade one of our core pieces we've already invested heavily in. We pretty much have nothing invested into our backcourt. MCW, DJ, and Fournier more than likely won't be on this roster within 2 years and Fultz is still a huge question mark as well.

So even if you believed that neither guy can help us in the short term, I think there is an even better argument that in the longterm NAW filled a bigger need.

Fournier is 26 years old, big and fairly strong, solid starter on a play off team, why exactly he couldnt resign with us for a lower price
in two years ? He likes Orlando. Ross is a legitimate 6th man of the year candidate ! Yeah we have a need at guard but only if you disrespect our own player. I want to see NAW having game like this under pressure.

Watch on YouTube

[Knightro]

NAW would be behind DJ and Evan as someone capable of handling the ball and creating a shot. Ross plays both SF and SG. NAW would be an upgrade over Iwundu, so he could possibly siphon those minutes.

And who cares if he doesnt replace Fournier this year. You dont really expect a rookie to do that. We havent drafted anyone in the past 6-7 years, even so many top-6 picks, that came in and replaced anyone their rookie year. I wouldnt expect that from NAW

I feel like I've explained this a zillion times now.

Terrence Ross is NOT going to be playing nearly much small forward in 19-20 as he did last season. Last year he was like 35% of the time at SG and 65% of the time at SF, but I expect that to be something like 80% SG/20% SF this year.

The Magic signed Aminu with the intention of having him in the rotation him. He's obviously a PF who can play a little SF.

That means one of Gordon or Isaac (likely Gordon) is going to have to play SF almost 100% of the time instead of half at PF and half at SF.

Just because Aminu isn't a guard doesn't mean that adding him to the rotation didn't create a ripple effect that starts at PF and goes up to SF and SG.

Any minutes that Fournier doesn't play at SG this year are almost certainly going to be filled by Ross. There's no other alternative without a trade.

[tiderulz]

He fits much more of a long term need than Chuma does for us. Whether you want to classify it as a longterm or short term one, its a need regardless. Ross can play backup SF and Fournier becomes an expiring contract next summer. Two of our core pieces play the same position as Chuma and we just signed another switchy forward to a 3 year contract.

You either believe he's going to become a career backup or believe he becomes good enough to have to trade one of our core pieces we've already invested heavily in. We pretty much have nothing invested into our backcourt. MCW, DJ, and Fournier more than likely won't be on this roster within 2 years and Fultz is still a huge question mark as well.

So even if you believed that neither guy can help us in the short term, I think there is an even better argument that in the longterm NAW filled a bigger need.

No arguments from me about his ability to fill a bigger long-term need. I think NAW could have eventually been the guy to replace Evan Fournier as the starting SG for this team in probably 2 years time. Maybe 1 if he really developed or Evan lost his mind and opted out of his contract which I don't think he'll do.

That said... I very much believe the Okeke and Aminu moves give the Magic the luxury of being able to move Aaron Gordon out for a guard without suffering any significant drop off at the forward position. I also believe that guard will likely be a better overall player than NAW.

It's going to take a few more moving pieces, but the Magic are in a position now to really balance our their team, especially if Okeke ends up as good as some think he can be, for the long-haul.

possibly. Maybe its an AG for CJ McCollum move or something similar. who knows.

[tiderulz]

Alexander-Walker only fit an immediate need if you think he can play point guard right now as a rookie.

If you think he's a SG, the Magic already have a 17M a year starter and a 13.5M a year backup.

Yeah he would have the opportunity to *eventually* replace Fournier, but it certainly wouldn't have happened this year.

He fits much more of a long term need than Chuma does for us. Whether you want to classify it as a longterm or short term one, its a need regardless. Ross can play backup SF and Fournier becomes an expiring contract next summer. Two of our core pieces play the same position as Chuma and we just signed another switchy forward to a 3 year contract.

You either believe he's going to become a career backup or believe he becomes good enough to have to trade one of our core pieces we've already invested heavily in. We pretty much have nothing invested into our backcourt. MCW, DJ, and Fournier more than likely won't be on this roster within 2 years and Fultz is still a huge question mark as well.

So even if you believed that neither guy can help us in the short term, I think there is an even better argument that in the longterm NAW filled a bigger need.

Fournier is 26 years old, big and fairly strong, solid starter on a play off team, why exactly he couldnt resign with us for a lower price
in two years ? He likes Orlando. Ross is a legitimate 6th man of the year candidate ! Yeah we have a need at guard but only if you disrespect our own player. I want to see NAW having game like this under pressure.

Watch on YouTube

OK, Fournier is 26, but i would neither call him big nor strong. hence why Ross at 6'6 plays at SF with Evan at SG at 6'7.

[tiderulz]

NAW would be behind DJ and Evan as someone capable of handling the ball and creating a shot. Ross plays both SF and SG. NAW would be an upgrade over Iwundu, so he could possibly siphon those minutes.

And who cares if he doesnt replace Fournier this year. You dont really expect a rookie to do that. We havent drafted anyone in the past 6-7 years, even so many top-6 picks, that came in and replaced anyone their rookie year. I wouldnt expect that from NAW

I feel like I've explained this a zillion times now.

Terrence Ross is NOT going to be playing nearly much small forward in 19-20 as he did last season. Last year he was like 35% of the time at SG and 65% of the time at SF, but I expect that to be something like 80% SG/20% SF this year.

The Magic signed Aminu with the intention of having him in the rotation him. He's obviously a PF who can play a little SF.

That means one of Gordon or Isaac (likely Gordon) is going to have to play SF almost 100% of the time instead of half at PF and half at SF.

Just because Aminu isn't a guard doesn't mean that adding him to the rotation didn't create a ripple effect that starts at PF and goes up to SF and SG.

Any minutes that Fournier doesn't play at SG this year are almost certainly going to be filled by Ross. There's no other alternative without a trade.

Did Clifford tell you this? if not, you have no more idea about this than any of us, so please dont make it sound like its a given fact that this happened. And I doubt Orlando would pay him $13.5mil/yr to just play backup SG. I would expect him to be playing similar minutes. I expect Aminu to siphon minutes from Isaac until Isaac can take the spot back from him.

[yoyojw17]

Alexander-Walker only fit an immediate need if you think he can play point guard right now as a rookie.

If you think he's a SG, the Magic already have a 17M a year starter and a 13.5M a year backup.

Yeah he would have the opportunity to *eventually* replace Fournier, but it certainly wouldn't have happened this year.

He fits much more of a long term need than Chuma does for us. Whether you want to classify it as a longterm or short term one, its a need regardless. Ross can play backup SF and Fournier becomes an expiring contract next summer. Two of our core pieces play the same position as Chuma and we just signed another switchy forward to a 3 year contract.

You either believe he's going to become a career backup or believe he becomes good enough to have to trade one of our core pieces we've already invested heavily in. We pretty much have nothing invested into our backcourt. MCW, DJ, and Fournier more than likely won't be on this roster within 2 years and Fultz is still a huge question mark as well.

So even if you believed that neither guy can help us in the short term, I think there is an even better argument that in the longterm NAW filled a bigger need.

Fournier is 26 years old, big and fairly strong, solid starter on a play off team, why exactly he couldnt resign with us for a lower price
in two years ? He likes Orlando. Ross is a legitimate 6th man of the year candidate ! Yeah we have a need at guard but only if you disrespect our own player. I want to see NAW having game like this under pressure.

Watch on YouTube

Cuz he had a down year and his style of play isn't sexy!!!!

[Knightro]

Did Clifford tell you this? if not, you have no more idea about this than any of us, so please dont make it sound like its a given fact that this happened. And I doubt Orlando would pay him $13.5mil/yr to just play backup SG. I would expect him to be playing similar minutes. I expect Aminu to siphon minutes from Isaac until Isaac can take the spot back from him.

Come on now. Read what I actually wrote.

Fournier plays 30-32 minutes a night. That leaves 16-18 MPG for Ross as backup SG. I never said Ross WASN'T going to play SF at all. I only said that he would be playing more backup SG than backup SF which I absolutely believe is accurate given the construction of the roster.

Isaac isn't losing minutes. Ross isn't losing minutes. Iwundu is losing minutes and Fournier/Gordon might take take a TINY haircut to stay fresher.

The following five players are ALL going to be in the rotation and combined are going to play all of the minutes at SG/SF/PF.

Evan Fournier
Aaron Gordon
Jonathan Isaac
Terrence Ross
Al-Farouq Aminu

Here's how I see it breaking out...

SG: Fournier 30, Ross 18
SF: Gordon 32, Ross 8, Aminu 8
PF: Issac 30, Aminu 18

Gordon 32 (down from 34)
Fournier 30 (down from 31.5)
Isaac 30 (up from 27)
Ross 26 (flat)
Aminu 26

[zaymon]

He fits much more of a long term need than Chuma does for us. Whether you want to classify it as a longterm or short term one, its a need regardless. Ross can play backup SF and Fournier becomes an expiring contract next summer. Two of our core pieces play the same position as Chuma and we just signed another switchy forward to a 3 year contract.

You either believe he's going to become a career backup or believe he becomes good enough to have to trade one of our core pieces we've already invested heavily in. We pretty much have nothing invested into our backcourt. MCW, DJ, and Fournier more than likely won't be on this roster within 2 years and Fultz is still a huge question mark as well.

So even if you believed that neither guy can help us in the short term, I think there is an even better argument that in the longterm NAW filled a bigger need.

Fournier is 26 years old, big and fairly strong, solid starter on a play off team, why exactly he couldnt resign with us for a lower price
in two years ? He likes Orlando. Ross is a legitimate 6th man of the year candidate ! Yeah we have a need at guard but only if you disrespect our own player. I want to see NAW having game like this under pressure.

Watch on YouTube

OK, Fournier is 26, but i would neither call him big nor strong. hence why Ross at 6'6 plays at SF with Evan at SG at 6'7.

Fournier IS big for a guard of his skill, Ross position has nothing to do with it. Its like saying Klay is not big becouse Green can play center at the same height. And i said fairly strong, Fournier defended well bigger guards like Jimmy.

[yoyojw17]

NAW would be behind DJ and Evan as someone capable of handling the ball and creating a shot. Ross plays both SF and SG. NAW would be an upgrade over Iwundu, so he could possibly siphon those minutes.

And who cares if he doesnt replace Fournier this year. You dont really expect a rookie to do that. We havent drafted anyone in the past 6-7 years, even so many top-6 picks, that came in and replaced anyone their rookie year. I wouldnt expect that from NAW

I feel like I've explained this a zillion times now.

Terrence Ross is NOT going to be playing nearly much small forward in 19-20 as he did last season. Last year he was like 35% of the time at SG and 65% of the time at SF, but I expect that to be something like 80% SG/20% SF this year.

The Magic signed Aminu with the intention of having him in the rotation him. He's obviously a PF who can play a little SF.

That means one of Gordon or Isaac (likely Gordon) is going to have to play SF almost 100% of the time instead of half at PF and half at SF.

Just because Aminu isn't a guard doesn't mean that adding him to the rotation didn't create a ripple effect that starts at PF and goes up to SF and SG.

Any minutes that Fournier doesn't play at SG this year are almost certainly going to be filled by Ross. There's no other alternative without a trade.

Did Clifford tell you this? if not, you have no more idea about this than any of us, so please dont make it sound like its a given fact that this happened. And I doubt Orlando would pay him $13.5mil/yr to just play backup SG. I would expect him to be playing similar minutes. I expect Aminu to siphon minutes from Isaac until Isaac can take the spot back from him.

I love Iwundu and his trending towards being a very solid backup... shoot i'll say it... Ross better watch out lol ... but he will be the one that gets hit the most minute wise from the getgo. I see ross and aminu soaking up the majority of the minutes between backup sg to pf. And bamba will be trending towards doing the same at center. The depth we will be able to throw out there is going to be a godsend especially when you think about how much rest players will get every game. I don't expect many starters to really exceed 30 min a game all that much.

[tiderulz]

Did Clifford tell you this? if not, you have no more idea about this than any of us, so please dont make it sound like its a given fact that this happened. And I doubt Orlando would pay him $13.5mil/yr to just play backup SG. I would expect him to be playing similar minutes. I expect Aminu to siphon minutes from Isaac until Isaac can take the spot back from him.

Come on now. Read what I actually wrote.

Fournier plays 30-32 minutes a night. That leaves 16-18 MPG for Ross as backup SG. I never said Ross WASN'T going to play SF at all. I only said that he would be playing more backup SG than backup SF which I absolutely believe is accurate given the construction of the roster.

Isaac isn't losing minutes. Ross isn't losing minutes. Iwundu is losing minutes and Fournier/Gordon might take take a TINY haircut to stay fresher.

The following five players are ALL going to be in the rotation and combined are going to play all of the minutes at SG/SF/PF.

Evan Fournier
Aaron Gordon
Jonathan Isaac
Terrence Ross
Al-Farouq Aminu

Here's how I see it breaking out...

SG: Fournier 30, Ross 18
SF: Gordon 32, Ross 8, Aminu 8
PF: Issac 30, Aminu 18

Gordon 32 (down from 34)
Fournier 30 (down from 31.5)
Isaac 30 (up from 27)
Ross 26 (flat)
Aminu 26

not sure how no one is losing any minutes, when you take the same front court, and add Aminu to it. Isaac wasnt even playing at NBA starter level to me last year. if anyone is losing minutes, its him until he can win it back from Aminu.

[tiderulz]

Fournier is 26 years old, big and fairly strong, solid starter on a play off team, why exactly he couldnt resign with us for a lower price
in two years ? He likes Orlando. Ross is a legitimate 6th man of the year candidate ! Yeah we have a need at guard but only if you disrespect our own player. I want to see NAW having game like this under pressure.

Watch on YouTube

OK, Fournier is 26, but i would neither call him big nor strong. hence why Ross at 6'6 plays at SF with Evan at SG at 6'7.

Fournier IS big for a guard of his skill, Ross position has nothing to do with it. Its like saying Klay is not big becouse Green can play center at the same height. And i said fairly strong, Fournier defended well bigger guards like Jimmy.

Butler played SF for Philly. JJ Redick was their SG.

[MagicFan101]

Did Clifford tell you this? if not, you have no more idea about this than any of us, so please dont make it sound like its a given fact that this happened. And I doubt Orlando would pay him $13.5mil/yr to just play backup SG. I would expect him to be playing similar minutes. I expect Aminu to siphon minutes from Isaac until Isaac can take the spot back from him.

Come on now. Read what I actually wrote.

Fournier plays 30-32 minutes a night. That leaves 16-18 MPG for Ross as backup SG. I never said Ross WASN'T going to play SF at all. I only said that he would be playing more backup SG than backup SF which I absolutely believe is accurate given the construction of the roster.

Isaac isn't losing minutes. Ross isn't losing minutes. Iwundu is losing minutes and Fournier/Gordon might take take a TINY haircut to stay fresher.

The following five players are ALL going to be in the rotation and combined are going to play all of the minutes at SG/SF/PF.

Evan Fournier
Aaron Gordon
Jonathan Isaac
Terrence Ross
Al-Farouq Aminu

Here's how I see it breaking out...

SG: Fournier 30, Ross 18
SF: Gordon 32, Ross 8, Aminu 8
PF: Issac 30, Aminu 18

Gordon 32 (down from 34)
Fournier 30 (down from 31.5)
Isaac 30 (up from 27)
Ross 26 (flat)
Aminu 26

not sure how no one is losing any minutes, when you take the same front court, and add Aminu to it. Isaac wasnt even playing at NBA starter level to me last year. if anyone is losing minutes, its him until he can win it back from Aminu.

Is it the same?

Iwundu averaged 18.1 mpg in 68 games

Simmons averaged 20.6 mpg in. 41 games

Martin averaged 7.8 mpg in 42 games


Iwundu is still around, but AFA will eat into a lot of these forward minutes.

Also, don’t overlook the possibility of an AG trade to upgrade the guard rotation.

[pepe1991]

Even if Magic trade Gordon for guard, that still won't fix fact that team does not have SF.
i did not see single evidence that would make me think Isaac can play that. He is closer to a bench than starting SF.

[spinedoc]

The draft came before free agency, plus Ross was playing a lot of sf for us and was no guarantee to resign. Also, we need a sg that can help facilitate the offense to help take pressure off our weak pg rotation. Frazier and Iwundu, which is also best suited at sf, can't do that either. Sure, we needed pg more so, but there wasn't much in that range at #16. Bottom line, we needed a guard more than a combo forward then, and we still do.

I mean yes this is technically true, but you're fooling yourself if you think the Magic weren't 100% confident that they were retaining Vucevic and Ross and signing Aminu by the time the draft rolled around.

They knew.

Nothing is certain except for death and taxes.

[basketballRob]

Even if Magic trade Gordon for guard, that still won't fix fact that team does not have SF.
i did not see single evidence that would make me think Isaac can play that. He is closer to a bench than starting SF.

He's improving. I think we'll see a 40% 3pt shooter and an 85% ft shooter maybe this year. He ended the year that way, he was 49 of last 129 3 pts for 38%.

Sent from my SM-G965U using RealGM mobile app

[PrimeThyme]

If Isaac loses minutes to Aminu for the sake of a 7-8th seed than Weltman will have failed in my eyes.

[J the Drafter]

Again, wouldn’t it make more sense to put Aaron and his defense at shooting guard instead of moving him for a worse player who more closely fits the shooting guard mold? (In this case, “more closely fits” means shorter without necessarily being faster or better.)

[Def Swami]

If Isaac loses minutes to Aminu for the sake of a 7-8th seed than Weltman will have failed in my eyes.

Agreed, but then I did this and broke into sweats.
http://bkref.com/tiny/OK5oo

[VFX]

Again, wouldn’t it make more sense to put Aaron and his defense at shooting guard instead of moving him for a worse player who more closely fits the shooting guard mold? (In this case, “more closely fits” means shorter without necessarily being faster or better.)

What? This isn’t 2k.