Chuma Okeke drafted #16 by the Orlando Magic

[Knightro]

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

I would be flabbergasted if this happens.

I think 5 guys (Fournier/Gordon/Isaac/Ross/Aminu) are going to play 3 spots (SG/SF/PF) with all five guys playing at least 25 minutes.

[VFX]

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

I would be flabbergasted if this happens.

I think 5 guys (Fournier/Gordon/Isaac/Ross/Aminu) are going to play 3 spots (SG/SF/PF) with all five guys playing at least 25 minutes.

That was the biggest question about acquiring Aminu. He’s a great mentor to a player with a similar skillset in Isaac. However, he was playing 28-30mpg for a playoff team last season and will likely be playing similar minutes. Like you stated earlier, there are simply not enough minutes to go around between Ross, Isaac, AG, Fournier, Aminu, and eventually Okeke. There’s more to work with in the rotation, which is a good thing, but hopefully it doesn’t limit anyone especially Isaac.

[Knightro]

That was the biggest question about acquiring Aminu. He’s a great mentor to a player with a similar skillset in Isaac. However, he was playing 28-30mpg for a playoff team last season and will likely be playing similar minutes. Like you stated earlier, there are simply not enough minutes to go around between Ross, Isaac, AG, Fournier, Aminu, and eventually Okeke. There’s more to work with in the rotation, which is a good thing, but hopefully it doesn’t limit anyone especially Isaac.

I mean Okeke isn't going to play at all once he gets healthy until there's a trade.

For now, I think they can get all five of Ross, Isaac, AG, Fournier, Aminu consistent minutes in a 9 man rotation.

[PrimeThyme]

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

I would be flabbergasted if this happens.

I think 5 guys (Fournier/Gordon/Isaac/Ross/Aminu) are going to play 3 spots (SG/SF/PF) with all five guys playing at least 25 minutes.

I truly wouldn't be. I've seen this scenario play out time and time again in this league. Its partly why the signing was so questionable to me. I won't be surprised in the least if Aminu eats into Isaacs minutes when he should be taking on a bigger role and seeing 30+ a night.

[spinedoc]

Ideally with an AG trade it would look something like this, depending on who is packaged with him.

pg- Fultz, DJ, MCW
sg- trade, Fournier
sf- Ross, Okeke
pf- JI, Aminu
c- Vuc, Bamba, Birch

The next two to go would hopefully be DJ and Evan. Its a start to balance this roster out.

[Knightro]

I truly wouldn't be. I've seen this scenario play out time and time again in this league. Its partly why the signing was so questionable to me. I won't be surprised in the least if Aminu eats into Isaacs minutes when he should be taking on a bigger role and seeing 30+ a night.

We'll see what happens. I REALLY hope Clifford figures out a way to keep Isaac at least where he was at last year minutes wise (27 per game) and ideally figures out a way to get him on the court even more.

Or they could just trade Gordon before the year starts and not have this problem

[Xatticus]

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

I would be flabbergasted if this happens.

I think 5 guys (Fournier/Gordon/Isaac/Ross/Aminu) are going to play 3 spots (SG/SF/PF) with all five guys playing at least 25 minutes.

I truly wouldn't be. I've seen this scenario play out time and time again in this league. Its partly why the signing was so questionable to me. I won't be surprised in the least if Aminu eats into Isaacs minutes when he should be taking on a bigger role and seeing 30+ a night.

I can't imagine that Aminu will eat into Isaac's minutes. Aminu has had really impressive plus/minus totals over the last couple years, but you have to consider the context. Very little was asked of him at the offensive end. Much has been made of the minutes he played and the games he started, but his playing time dwindled as the playoffs wore on and Portland didn't show interest in bringing him back.

I believe Isaac is a better player than Aminu right now and he obviously has much more upside. I'll be disappointed if we don't see Isaac closing games next season, but I'm rather skeptical that Clifford will go that route.

[Instincts]

Ideally with an AG trade it would look something like this, depending on who is packaged with him.

pg- Fultz, DJ, MCW
sg- trade, Fournier
sf- Ross, Okeke
pf- JI, Aminu
c- Vuc, Bamba, Birch

The next two to go would hopefully be DJ and Evan. Its a start to balance this roster out.

Trade AG without ever having paired him with a dynamic creator and Fultz gains the starting job the same year. Sounds like a Greek tragedy.

AG’s stats would ramp across the board when paired with an elite creator if the Marion after Nash improvement holds true.

[spinedoc]

Ideally with an AG trade it would look something like this, depending on who is packaged with him.

pg- Fultz, DJ, MCW
sg- trade, Fournier
sf- Ross, Okeke
pf- JI, Aminu
c- Vuc, Bamba, Birch

The next two to go would hopefully be DJ and Evan. Its a start to balance this roster out.

Trade AG without ever having paired him with a dynamic creator and Fultz gains the starting job the same year. Sounds like a Greek tragedy.

AG’s stats would ramp across the board when paired with an elite creator if the Marion after Nash improvement holds true.

Not right away, just what I wish would happen. DJ starts, but talent wise, this is the way I see this team.

[VFX]

Ideally with an AG trade it would look something like this, depending on who is packaged with him.

pg- Fultz, DJ, MCW
sg- trade, Fournier
sf- Ross, Okeke
pf- JI, Aminu
c- Vuc, Bamba, Birch

The next two to go would hopefully be DJ and Evan. Its a start to balance this roster out.

Trade AG without ever having paired him with a dynamic creator and Fultz gains the starting job the same year. Sounds like a Greek tragedy.

AG’s stats would ramp across the board when paired with an elite creator if the Marion after Nash improvement holds true.

Wasn’t going to matter with Vuc being the focal point in a half court offense anyway.

[Instincts]

Ideally with an AG trade it would look something like this, depending on who is packaged with him.

pg- Fultz, DJ, MCW
sg- trade, Fournier
sf- Ross, Okeke
pf- JI, Aminu
c- Vuc, Bamba, Birch

The next two to go would hopefully be DJ and Evan. Its a start to balance this roster out.

Trade AG without ever having paired him with a dynamic creator and Fultz gains the starting job the same year. Sounds like a Greek tragedy.

AG’s stats would ramp across the board when paired with an elite creator if the Marion after Nash improvement holds true.

Not right away, just what I wish would happen. DJ starts, but talent wise, this is the way I see this team.

I share a similar wish, but mine has a healthy Fultz and AG on the court together. It has the potential to be dynamic. Modern Nash and Marion, I know it is a possibility, but no way I trade that chance away unless AG wants to leave.

[PrimeThyme]

I would be flabbergasted if this happens.

I think 5 guys (Fournier/Gordon/Isaac/Ross/Aminu) are going to play 3 spots (SG/SF/PF) with all five guys playing at least 25 minutes.

I truly wouldn't be. I've seen this scenario play out time and time again in this league. Its partly why the signing was so questionable to me. I won't be surprised in the least if Aminu eats into Isaacs minutes when he should be taking on a bigger role and seeing 30+ a night.

I can't imagine that Aminu will eat into Isaac's minutes. Aminu has had really impressive plus/minus totals over the last couple years, but you have to consider the context. Very little was asked of him at the offensive end. Much has been made of the minutes he played and the games he started, but his playing time dwindled as the playoffs wore on and Portland didn't show interest in bringing him back.

I believe Isaac is a better player than Aminu right now and he obviously has much more upside. I'll be disappointed if we don't see Isaac closing games next season, but I'm rather skeptical that Clifford will go that route.

Yeah, I firmly believe that Isaac will be a better player than Aminu next year I just still have my doubts that it will be enough to keep him or T Ross/Evan from handling the majority of the 4th quarter minutes again. It brings me back to the first year Vogel was here and how AG couldn't log a minute in the 4th quarter in favor of Jeff green even despite him clearly being the better player (I don't want to group Clifford into that completely stubborn category yet though so I will have to wait and see).

Our most played 4th quarter lineup last year by a sizeable gap was DJ/Evan/T ross/AG/Vuc. I would not be the least surprised if Clifford continued to side with veterans like Aminu/Ross next year as well. Hopefully, things don't turn out that way though because im expecting a jump from Isaac next season.

[yoyojw17]

I truly wouldn't be. I've seen this scenario play out time and time again in this league. Its partly why the signing was so questionable to me. I won't be surprised in the least if Aminu eats into Isaacs minutes when he should be taking on a bigger role and seeing 30+ a night.

I can't imagine that Aminu will eat into Isaac's minutes. Aminu has had really impressive plus/minus totals over the last couple years, but you have to consider the context. Very little was asked of him at the offensive end. Much has been made of the minutes he played and the games he started, but his playing time dwindled as the playoffs wore on and Portland didn't show interest in bringing him back.

I believe Isaac is a better player than Aminu right now and he obviously has much more upside. I'll be disappointed if we don't see Isaac closing games next season, but I'm rather skeptical that Clifford will go that route.

Yeah, I firmly believe that Isaac will be a better player than Aminu next year I just still have my doubts that it will be enough to keep him or T Ross/Evan from handling the majority of the 4th quarter minutes again. It brings me back to the first year Vogel was here and how AG couldn't log a minute in the 4th quarter in favor of Jeff green even despite him clearly being the better player (I don't want to group Clifford into that completely stubborn category yet though so I will have to wait and see).

Our most played 4th quarter lineup last year by a sizeable gap was DJ/Evan/T ross/AG/Vuc. I would not be the least surprised if Clifford continued to side with veterans like Aminu/Ross next year as well. Hopefully, things don't turn out that way though because im expecting a jump from Isaac next season.

I am thinking of Isaac being in the game down the line... because i too believe that he will make huge gains that will fit the team and give him consistent minutes

[pepe1991]

Aminu won't "eat" Isaac's min, but Isaac probably won't play over 27 mpg anyway because Ross will still finish games ahead of him.

[pepe1991]

Ideally with an AG trade it would look something like this, depending on who is packaged with him.

pg- Fultz, DJ, MCW
sg- trade, Fournier
sf- Ross, Okeke
pf- JI, Aminu
c- Vuc, Bamba, Birch

The next two to go would hopefully be DJ and Evan. Its a start to balance this roster out.

Trade AG without ever having paired him with a dynamic creator and Fultz gains the starting job the same year. Sounds like a Greek tragedy.

AG’s stats would ramp across the board when paired with an elite creator if the Marion after Nash improvement holds true.

Odds of Fultz returning AND being good this year are non.
Even if he somehow turns back time and becomes college Fultz ( and that's not going to happen anyway), he will still be mistake-riddled rookie that learns basics of nba offense. Despite being in nba for 3 years , he lacks any serious experience. Guy played 30 games and most of that games was treated like backup who only played major min in blowouts.

Combination of basketball rust and complete lack of experience along with team's playoffs expetations will keep him glued to the bench. All that assuming he will be ready from day one. IF he is returning after allstar break, he won't play over 18 mpg.

[cedric76]

Ideally with an AG trade it would look something like this, depending on who is packaged with him.

pg- Fultz, DJ, MCW
sg- trade, Fournier
sf- Ross, Okeke
pf- JI, Aminu
c- Vuc, Bamba, Birch

The next two to go would hopefully be DJ and Evan. Its a start to balance this roster out.

Trade AG without ever having paired him with a dynamic creator and Fultz gains the starting job the same year. Sounds like a Greek tragedy.

AG’s stats would ramp across the board when paired with an elite creator if the Marion after Nash improvement holds true.

AG will have opportunity to do that in golden state

AG +DJ for russell will likely has happen

[Instincts]

Ideally with an AG trade it would look something like this, depending on who is packaged with him.

pg- Fultz, DJ, MCW
sg- trade, Fournier
sf- Ross, Okeke
pf- JI, Aminu
c- Vuc, Bamba, Birch

The next two to go would hopefully be DJ and Evan. Its a start to balance this roster out.

Trade AG without ever having paired him with a dynamic creator and Fultz gains the starting job the same year. Sounds like a Greek tragedy.

AG’s stats would ramp across the board when paired with an elite creator if the Marion after Nash improvement holds true.

AG will have opportunity to do that in golden state

AG +DJ for russell will likely has happen

We need to leave behind the predetermined mindset that we have to swap our best young players for equal talent, instead of accumulating additional talent. We do have other options and assets besides that of our best young player. You don't make huge strides forward with this mindset. I realize this is more difficult than it sounds, but our asset pool is deep and other teams have shown examples of how this is possible under the correct conditions.

I understand a PG is the top priority. I would explore a lot of options before trading our best young player.
1) 20% Fultz returns to form
2) Chris Paul available at negative value
3) DLo maybe for assets other than AG. In order of preference, Future picks, Bamba, Birch, DJ, TRoss, Fultz, Okeke, Vuch.
4) DLo for AG as last resort

1) Best in the east, eventual championship contender?

Healthy Fultz / DJ
TRoss / Fournier
AG / Okeke
Isaac / Aminu
Vuch / Bamba

2) Best in the east, contender? Paul will ignite this offense and has plenty of good years left. Fournier, Fultz, DJ for Paul. Is SGA available if Bamba is included?

CPaul / MCW
TRoss / Iwandu / Frazier
AG / Okeke
JI / Aminu
Vuch / Bamba / Birch

3) Best in the east? Bamba, Fournier, Filler + future picks as needed for DLo. Even TRoss or Vuch if needed.

DLo / Fultz / DJ
TRoss / Iwandu / Frazier
AG / Okeke
JI / Aminu
Vuch / Birch

4) 4th in the east? Last resort, really hits the upside of this team. AG for DLo. I could live with it if AG requested it, due to my affection for JI and Okeke as player types, but the resulting team lacks that star secondary player in AG and I am not even sure DLo is Elite. Feels like a talent swap instead of an upgrade. I understand this roster would not be a finished product and we could eventually add more punch at the SG position, but it still feels like a sideways move, change for the sake of change.

DLo / DJ
TRoss / Fournier
Okeke / Iwandu
JI / Aminu
Vuch / Bamba / Birch

[Blue_and_Whte]

Imo if an AG trade does happen it’ll be closer to the deadline after the dust settles a little. I would love the opportunity to see how a healthy Fultz, and an improved Mo and JI look with the rest of the team as constructed before we star trading everyone away. Weltman shouldnt “Hennigan” this team with panic moves just to find a pg when DJ wasn’t actually bad.

[Instincts]

Imo if an AG trade does happen it’ll be closer to the deadline after the dust settles a little. I would love the opportunity to see how a healthy Fultz, and an improved Mo and JI look with the rest of the team as constructed before we star trading everyone away. Weltman shouldnt “Hennigan” this team with panic moves just to find a pg when DJ wasn’t actually bad.

Thank you. We have PG options, deep assets, and a still improving +17 win team. Please just a bit of patience while we get this PG situation right.

[yoyojw17]

Imo if an AG trade does happen it’ll be closer to the deadline after the dust settles a little. I would love the opportunity to see how a healthy Fultz, and an improved Mo and JI look with the rest of the team as constructed before we star trading everyone away. Weltman shouldnt “Hennigan” this team with panic moves just to find a pg when DJ wasn’t actually bad.

Thank you. We have PG options, deep assets, and a still improving +17 win team. Please just a bit of patience while we get this PG situation right.

Fultz is more than worth waiting for. Not only does he fill the pg need.... but he will literally be able to change the complexion of how this team plays on both ends of the court. Just imagine fultz in the pick and roll with AG/JI/Vuc.... that alone will help our offensive abilities. And we will have someone that breaks down the defense and allows fournier to return to being more of an off ball player that makes plays with the flow of game. And on defense.... he will be substantially better than DJ.