Chuma Okeke drafted #16 by the Orlando Magic

[ezzzp]

He'd be sitting on the bench all season probably behind Fournier, Ross and maybe even Fultz. Due to the continuity that they were hoping for over the summer.... they now have 30 million invested in the sg position ahead of him. Yes... there is definitely a chance that he could outplay both and be a huge steal.... but that can be hard to determine especially since other players have looked amazing in SL as well.... just to be decent or worse on the NBA court.

Based on the STAT tracking company that everyone was happy that we were apart of... Chuma is a gem at 16.... soooooooo.... yeah. It's not like they blindly made the decision without a plan. Like they are doing with everyone else.... let them take their time and more to get healthy. watching cousin's go down again and again.... and shoot even durant.... makes you realize... ain't no need to rush. :-/

So instead of a rookie who could fill a need (guard of the future who can create) sitting some of this year, we'll have another rookie who isn't really ours sit all year and not fill a need (3+D backup big man). A lot of people thought NAW would be a pg in the league too.

Not trying to come at you, I see the glass half full in a lot of things. But not this brain trust. So I guess that eliminates the whole "just trust it because they're GMs and not you" type of thinking for me.

Yep. Not only this, but if Fultz doesn’t pan out THIS season they will look foolish for passing on NAW. Why? Because DJ/MCW isn’t a passable point guard rotation for what the FO is selling as a “playoff team”. There was no backup plan. Evan and Ross can both switch to SF situationally, but neither can play pg. That’s why the argument of a “stacked SG rotation” doesn’t hold water. Chuma could end up being great in the long run for all we know, but you can’t unequivocally say that NAW wasn’t going to be an immediate contributor to a playoff team that needs playmaking and had a similar trajectory at his pick.

NAW is not a PG either...Okeke was BPA for FO...if Fultz doesn’t pan out a trade will be made and the forward depth will more than likely be involved...NAW being an immediate contributor is a total total presumption

[tiderulz]

Instad we have Chuma who will not play whole season and when he returns he will in rotation behind Isaac, Aminu and Gordon and also never play
Chuma was projeceted to be second round pick, you can twist facts all you want, nothing will change it.
How avoid injury? Simple, don't draft player that has one. Especially when that player is reach AND plays position you don't need AND won't play for whole calendar year.
They drafted Jackson in second round last year and dropped him after 5 months. Iwundu and Frazier are doing also nothing.

NAW would have more than enough time to get some PT, and getting 1 minute whole season will still be 1 min more than Chuma will.

The Stepien had him ranked 17th

Mike Schmitz (ESPN/DraftExpress): "Chuma Okeke has a chance to be the steal of the draft here. If he didn't go down with that ACL injury, I think we're talking about him as a surefire lottery pick. Seven-foot wingspan. Defends multiple positions. Can space the floor offensively. Has a strong feel for the game. He was really the glue that held that Auburn team together. He's unselfish, he moves the ball, he knows his role. In today's NBA, he's the guy you want. He's the prototype. This is a huge win for the Orlando Magic, even if he has to sit out."

NAW would be buried behind Ross and Fournier + battling for whatever minutes are left with Iwundu, Jeffries and Frazier.

In Summer League, NAW was just gifted high volume to puff stats with team desperate for hype...he was super inefficient and was total garbage defender. Frank Jackson on that same squad put up 30 pts.

they also had Bol Bol going 21, NAW going 24, Cam Johnson 25, Kevin Porter at 20, Johntay Porter 18 (went undrafted). so they arent exactly beacons of correctness.

[ezzzp]

Instad we have Chuma who will not play whole season and when he returns he will in rotation behind Isaac, Aminu and Gordon and also never play
Chuma was projeceted to be second round pick, you can twist facts all you want, nothing will change it.
How avoid injury? Simple, don't draft player that has one. Especially when that player is reach AND plays position you don't need AND won't play for whole calendar year.
They drafted Jackson in second round last year and dropped him after 5 months. Iwundu and Frazier are doing also nothing.

NAW would have more than enough time to get some PT, and getting 1 minute whole season will still be 1 min more than Chuma will.

The Stepien had him ranked 17th

Mike Schmitz (ESPN/DraftExpress): "Chuma Okeke has a chance to be the steal of the draft here. If he didn't go down with that ACL injury, I think we're talking about him as a surefire lottery pick. Seven-foot wingspan. Defends multiple positions. Can space the floor offensively. Has a strong feel for the game. He was really the glue that held that Auburn team together. He's unselfish, he moves the ball, he knows his role. In today's NBA, he's the guy you want. He's the prototype. This is a huge win for the Orlando Magic, even if he has to sit out."

NAW would be buried behind Ross and Fournier + battling for whatever minutes are left with Iwundu, Jeffries and Frazier.

In Summer League, NAW was just gifted high volume to puff stats with team desperate for hype...he was super inefficient and was total garbage defender. Frank Jackson on that same squad put up 30 pts.

they also had Bol Bol going 21, NAW going 24, Cam Johnson 25, Kevin Porter at 20, Johntay Porter 18 (went undrafted). so they arent exactly beacons of correctness.

actually both the Stepien and Schmitz have been very good at evaluating talent - that’s what matters

....that the Stepien has NAW ranked in lower tier only reinforces the Okeke pick for me...as does Schmitz’ praise

[MagicMatic]

So instead of a rookie who could fill a need (guard of the future who can create) sitting some of this year, we'll have another rookie who isn't really ours sit all year and not fill a need (3+D backup big man). A lot of people thought NAW would be a pg in the league too.

Not trying to come at you, I see the glass half full in a lot of things. But not this brain trust. So I guess that eliminates the whole "just trust it because they're GMs and not you" type of thinking for me.

Yep. Not only this, but if Fultz doesn’t pan out THIS season they will look foolish for passing on NAW. Why? Because DJ/MCW isn’t a passable point guard rotation for what the FO is selling as a “playoff team”. There was no backup plan. Evan and Ross can both switch to SF situationally, but neither can play pg. That’s why the argument of a “stacked SG rotation” doesn’t hold water. Chuma could end up being great in the long run for all we know, but you can’t unequivocally say that NAW wasn’t going to be an immediate contributor to a playoff team that needs playmaking and had a similar trajectory at his pick.

NAW is not a PG either...Okeke was BPA for FO...if Fultz doesn’t pan out a trade will be made and the forward depth will more than likely be involved...NAW being an immediate contributor is a total total presumption

He’s not a point guard, but he could be a secondary playmaker moreso than anyone else on the current roster. Do you think a point guard rotation of DJ and MCW is acceptable for a “playoff team” if Fultz isn’t serviceable? You suggest a trade to be made, but that wouldn’t have to be the case if they had just taken NAW. Okeke might have been BPA for this FO, but the opportunity currently isn’t there and it’s still a long term play while selling playoffs.

[pepe1991]

You can't use " NAW would not play that much" to defend fact that Okeke 100% won't play.

Also Evan is in potentially last year of his contract ( with Magic?) and Ross plays SF off bench anyway more than SG, especially to end games.

Where NAW would battle:
MCW- fringe nba player who is below replacment level
Evan- guy who is on exit doors, this or next year
Ross- who can also play SF

Okeke will face:
second highest payed player on roster- Gordon
lottery pick on his rookie scale contract, poised to spend next 3 to 6 more years with Magic- Isaac
Aminu - guy who literally signed new contract months ago


But that's not all. If Magic still want to play Bamba and Vučević together going forward , it's even less chance for Okeke to crack into rotation.

As for reaching for Okeke
nba draft net had him going 33#
Bleacher report 22#
nba draft room 31#
SI.com had him going 34#
Ringer had him going 39#
Last ESPN's mock also had him missing first round

So common sense was that he is second round pick.

[ezzzp]

Yep. Not only this, but if Fultz doesn’t pan out THIS season they will look foolish for passing on NAW. Why? Because DJ/MCW isn’t a passable point guard rotation for what the FO is selling as a “playoff team”. There was no backup plan. Evan and Ross can both switch to SF situationally, but neither can play pg. That’s why the argument of a “stacked SG rotation” doesn’t hold water. Chuma could end up being great in the long run for all we know, but you can’t unequivocally say that NAW wasn’t going to be an immediate contributor to a playoff team that needs playmaking and had a similar trajectory at his pick.

NAW is not a PG either...Okeke was BPA for FO...if Fultz doesn’t pan out a trade will be made and the forward depth will more than likely be involved...NAW being an immediate contributor is a total total presumption

He’s not a point guard, but he could be a secondary playmaker moreso than anyone else on the current roster. Do you think a point guard rotation of DJ and MCW is acceptable for a “playoff team” if Fultz isn’t serviceable? You suggest a trade to be made, but that wouldn’t have to be the case if they had just taken NAW. Okeke might have been BPA for this FO, but the opportunity currently isn’t there and it’s still a long term play while selling playoffs.

That's another massive presumption. NAW hasn't done a single thing to warrant that. Being a reckless passer and an inefficient chukker vs non-NBA players in SL doesn't make him an NBA secondary playmaker.

Fournier is a proven and solid NBA starter level secondary playmaker and he just turned 26 and about to enter his physical prime. NAW isn't even remotely close to that. He definitely would not take his minutes, much less the secondary playmaker role. He's certainly not taking minutes from Ross of the bench either...at best NAW would be fighting for scrap minutes vs Iwundu, Frazier and Jeffries.

NAW has nothing to do with DJ/MCW being acceptable playoff PG rotation. If Fultz doesn't work, the Magic will have to trade for a PG. NAW does not change that. A secondary playmaker is not a PG. NAW is not a PG and won't be replacing Augustin OR MCW at PG.

NAW doesn't replace the PG's and he doesn't replace the SG's.

[pepe1991]

NAW is not a PG either...Okeke was BPA for FO...if Fultz doesn’t pan out a trade will be made and the forward depth will more than likely be involved...NAW being an immediate contributor is a total total presumption

He’s not a point guard, but he could be a secondary playmaker moreso than anyone else on the current roster. Do you think a point guard rotation of DJ and MCW is acceptable for a “playoff team” if Fultz isn’t serviceable? You suggest a trade to be made, but that wouldn’t have to be the case if they had just taken NAW. Okeke might have been BPA for this FO, but the opportunity currently isn’t there and it’s still a long term play while selling playoffs.

That's another massive presumption. NAW hasn't done a single thing to warrant that. Being a reckless passer and an inefficient chukker vs non-NBA players in SL doesn't make him an NBA secondary playmaker.

Fournier is a proven and solid NBA starter level secondary playmaker and he just turned 26 and about to enter his physical prime. NAW isn't even remotely close to that. He definitely would not take his minutes, much less the secondary playmaker role. He's certainly not taking minutes from Ross of the bench either...at best NAW would be fighting for scrap minutes vs Iwundu, Frazier and Jeffries.

NAW has nothing to do with DJ/MCW being acceptable playoff PG rotation. If Fultz doesn't work, the Magic will have to trade for a PG. NAW does not change that. A secondary playmaker is not a PG. NAW is not a PG and won't be replacing Augustin OR MCW at PG.

NAW doesn't replace the PG's and he doesn't replace the SG's.

Where you do think Okeke will play behind Isaac, Gordon and Aminu ,along with fact that Ross still ends games playing SF?

Under this roster construction he looks to be end of a bench guy, once he is capable to even suit up for them.

You keep repeating that NAW would not play much, but anything is still more than nothing, amount of min that Okeke will play during 2019-20.

[ezzzp]

You can't use " NAW would not play that much" to defend fact that Okeke 100% won't play.

Also Evan is in potentially last year of his contract ( with Magic?) and Ross plays SF off bench anyway more than SG, especially to end games.

Where NAW would battle:
MCW- fringe nba player who is below replacment level
Evan- guy who is on exit doors, this or next year
Ross- who can also play SF

Okeke will face:
second highest payed player on roster- Gordon
lottery pick on his rookie scale contract, poised to spend next 3 to 6 more years with Magic- Isaac
Aminu - guy who literally signed new contract months ago


But that's not all. If Magic still want to play Bamba and Vučević together going forward , it's even less chance for Okeke to crack into rotation.

As for reaching for Okeke
nba draft net had him going 33#
Bleacher report 22#
nba draft room 31#
SI.com had him going 34#
Ringer had him going 39#
Last ESPN's mock also had him missing first round

So common sense was that he is second round pick.

Okeke's recovery timeline is 9-12 months...he could be back on the court as early as December. It is definitely not 100% that he won't play this year.

Either way, if Okeke red shirts this year, his rookie year could very well be Aminu's last year as he has a player option in 3d year...so just like Fournier, he could also opt out. Plus because of the Magic's depth at forward in combination with opt out, that makes Aminu a very likely trade candidate that season.

NAW isn't a PG, he isn't taking any of the PG minutes.

NAW would also definitely not be taking minutes from Fournier (SG/SF), Ross (SG/SF), Gordon (SF/PF) or Aminu (SF/PF) - all will eat up the bulk of minutes at SG/SF. He'd be battling Iwundu and Jeffries for scrap minutes.

Fournier has a player option, but that doesn't mean that NAW is automatically capable of replacing him. Plus Fournier could just as easily extend with Magic. Regardless, if EF left it would be Ross who would slide into the starting SG role, not NAW. NAW would be fighting for back up SG minutes with Iwundu, Frazier and Jeffries.

On top of that, the Magic do not have a PG under contract next season except for Fultz (and that's only if they pick up his option in October). If he doesn't pan out this year, the Magic will not have cap space so the most realistic path is a trade. That means that front court depth people are complaining about is actually well calculated insurance depth.

Common sense says that mock drafts were impacted by his ACL injury....that's why the best draft analysts all raved about the Magic pick because they knew Okeke would have gone higher were it not for the injury. Magic picked the BPA with an eye on the long term.

[ezzzp]

Where you do think Okeke will play behind Isaac, Gordon and Aminu ,along with fact that Ross still ends games playing SF?

Under this roster construction he looks to be end of a bench guy, once he is capable to even suit up for them.

You keep repeating that NAW would not play much, but anything is still more than nothing, amount of min that Okeke will play during 2019-20.

Where do you think NAW would play behind Fournier (SG/SF), Ross (SG/SF), Gordon (SF/PF), Isaac (SF/PF) and Aminu (SF/PF)?

Under this roster construction, NAW would be fighting with Iwundu, Frazier and Jeffries for scrap minutes.

If Fultz fails - the roster construction is going to change. DJ/MCW are unrestricted free agents next summer. The Magic will make a trade either for cap space or for a PG. Either way, we know the FO took the player they thought was BPA because NAW doesn't fill need because he isn't a PG.

[pepe1991]

Where you do think Okeke will play behind Isaac, Gordon and Aminu ,along with fact that Ross still ends games playing SF?

Under this roster construction he looks to be end of a bench guy, once he is capable to even suit up for them.

You keep repeating that NAW would not play much, but anything is still more than nothing, amount of min that Okeke will play during 2019-20.

Where do you think NAW would play behind Fournier (SG/SF), Ross (SG/SF), Gordon (SF/PF), Isaac (SF/PF) and Aminu (SF/PF)?

Under this roster construction, NAW would be fighting with Iwundu, Frazier and Jeffries for scrap minutes.

If Fultz fails - the roster construction is going to change. DJ/MCW are unrestricted free agents next summer. The Magic will make a trade either for cap space or for a PG. Either way, we know the FO took the player they thought was BPA because NAW doesn't fill need because he isn't a PG.

You keep asking where would NAW play, yet never adress fact that Okeke won't play.
You said above in reply that his timetable of return is 9 to 12 months and most positive outcome is him playing as early as this December, yet you keep ignoring that he probably won't even sign contract with Orlando Magic for 2019-20.

Magic have need at guard position because their guard rotation is:
Augustin - 1 year left contract
Evan Fournier- 1+1 year contract
MCW- 1 year contract
Fultz -1 +1 yeras contract
Ross -new contract


NAW is guard who can shoot, handle ball ,score and pass good enough to be playable . He is probably today automatic upgrade over MCW who isn't "true " PG anyway and who has history of being more harmful than helpful whenever he plays ,minus 12 games for Magic at the end of last season.

Given their trajcetory, experience and injury , there is virtually zero reasons to belive that Okeke is in any way superior prospect to NAW. Above all that Okeke's biggest issue was complete lack of ability to draw fouls, witch happends to be biggest problem with Orlando in general. He is also another player who does not have advanced passing skils or ability to play with ball in his hands and create for himself. Another issues Magic are facing on nightly bases.

Funniest part about Okeke pick is that they drafted player who was same size, weigh, and similar skillset and build like Okeke in Justin Jackson, but he simply couldn't play due injury so they dropped him and replaced with another injuried player.

[Bensational]

NAW is not a PG either...Okeke was BPA for FO...if Fultz doesn’t pan out a trade will be made and the forward depth will more than likely be involved...NAW being an immediate contributor is a total total presumption

He’s not a point guard, but he could be a secondary playmaker moreso than anyone else on the current roster. Do you think a point guard rotation of DJ and MCW is acceptable for a “playoff team” if Fultz isn’t serviceable? You suggest a trade to be made, but that wouldn’t have to be the case if they had just taken NAW. Okeke might have been BPA for this FO, but the opportunity currently isn’t there and it’s still a long term play while selling playoffs.

That's another massive presumption. NAW hasn't done a single thing to warrant that. Being a reckless passer and an inefficient chukker vs non-NBA players in SL doesn't make him an NBA secondary playmaker.

Fournier is a proven and solid NBA starter level secondary playmaker and he just turned 26 and about to enter his physical prime. NAW isn't even remotely close to that. He definitely would not take his minutes, much less the secondary playmaker role. He's certainly not taking minutes from Ross of the bench either...at best NAW would be fighting for scrap minutes vs Iwundu, Frazier and Jeffries.

NAW has nothing to do with DJ/MCW being acceptable playoff PG rotation. If Fultz doesn't work, the Magic will have to trade for a PG. NAW does not change that. A secondary playmaker is not a PG. NAW is not a PG and won't be replacing Augustin OR MCW at PG.

NAW doesn't replace the PG's and he doesn't replace the SG's.

reckless passer? Sure, he was looking for the flashy play over the smart play more often than not. But this is a kid who came from one of the most well oiled and well groomed systems in college, so let's not try to paint a picture of him as loose cannon. What he did show is that he can step beyond that and serve as lead playmaker who is a threat to shoot, drive or pass at any point.

You called him "super inefficient" before. 43% overall on FG% isn't great, but 80% from FT on 5.75 attempts a game is pretty good. So's 41% from 3 on 8 attempts a game.... I hope Fournier can be that inefficient this season.

If you want to fall back on front office knows best, then that's fine. But you're not going to make much of a convincing case to discredit the promise and potential NAW has shown.

[pepe1991]

NAW had 139 assists to 97 turnovers in second year at college
Okeke had 73 assists to 66 turnovers

So Okeke was actually worst in that deparment

Okeke 59,7% TS to 58,6% NAW, given one is guard and other is wing ,and usage ,it's almost identical, especially knowing NAW averaged 4 points per game more.

Their overall 3 point shooting at college was also similar
Okeke was 88/229 ---38,9%
NAW 116/303 ---38,3%

That's virtually identical percentage, differential is below 0,1%.

Other than that Okeke seems to be Covington type of player , if he pans out.

Okeke's ball skills and shot creativity are limited. He attempted just 3.3 free throws per 40 minutes, a reflection on his predictability with the ball. Okeke could also improve his finishing in crowds, having shot just 18-of-45 on rolls to the basket while making one runner all season. And after he went 4-of-24 on pull-up jumpers, the scouting report will alert defense to close out hard and run him off the three-point line.

On top of all that, he won't play this season

[Knightro]

The fact that Okeke has a torn ACL rehab in front of him is certainly going to play a role in how long this takes, but I absolutely still hold the opinion that adding Aminu and Okeke in the same offseason is inevitably (eventually) going to lead to the Magic trading away Aaron Gordon for a PG or SG.

And I have a feeling that PG/SG will be better than NAW.

But either way, a couple of good summer league games aside, I’m not totally convinced NAW will be better than Okeke anyway.

I do like NAW as a player. He was a worthy mid-first round talent. But I think he’s a SG who can do some secondary creation way more than he is a PG. That difference IMO would have definitely limited his playing time this season.

I think *eventually* NAW could have replaced Fournier as the starting SG for this team, but that wouldn’t have happened this year IMO.

Fournier, love him or hate him, isn’t going anywhere. Clifford loves him and he makes a lot of money. He’s entrenched at SG playing major minutes.

I’ve discussed this topic at length so I won’t rehash it too much, but the addition of Aminu is going to cause a ripple effect up the rotation without a trade.

Gordon’s gonna play more 3. Ross is gonna play more 2 compared to last season. This is gonna happen. Barring injuries or a trade, there’s not simply going to be many/any minutes available at the SG *this* season.

So any minutes NAW would have earned for *this* year would have almost certainly come at the expense of Fultz or Carter-Williams as the backup PG.

Could NAW perform that role better than those guys? Maybe he could, maybe be couldn’t. I don’t think that’s the best use of his skills personally, but it would likely be the only way to get him on the floor in his rookie year.

[PrimeThyme]

NAW had a 10x better chance of cracking this rotation then Okeke did considering the fact there is a 90% chance he doesn't even play a single minute for us this season. We are also already loaded with frontcourt depth while for the 3rd straight year we will be starting DJ Augustine (who comes off the books next summer) and potentially a fringe NBA player in MCW as his backup. Fournier becomes an expiring contract next summer as well. He could have played backup minutes at either spot this season and replaced Fournier in the rotation next summer.

The pick just made too much sense. It's not guaranteed that he will be a very good player, but its pretty damn close in my eyes. His skillset just translates to the next level and is something this team lacks. Okeke is redundant with AG/Aminu already on this team.

[tiderulz]

The Stepien had him ranked 17th

Mike Schmitz (ESPN/DraftExpress): "Chuma Okeke has a chance to be the steal of the draft here. If he didn't go down with that ACL injury, I think we're talking about him as a surefire lottery pick. Seven-foot wingspan. Defends multiple positions. Can space the floor offensively. Has a strong feel for the game. He was really the glue that held that Auburn team together. He's unselfish, he moves the ball, he knows his role. In today's NBA, he's the guy you want. He's the prototype. This is a huge win for the Orlando Magic, even if he has to sit out."

NAW would be buried behind Ross and Fournier + battling for whatever minutes are left with Iwundu, Jeffries and Frazier.

In Summer League, NAW was just gifted high volume to puff stats with team desperate for hype...he was super inefficient and was total garbage defender. Frank Jackson on that same squad put up 30 pts.

they also had Bol Bol going 21, NAW going 24, Cam Johnson 25, Kevin Porter at 20, Johntay Porter 18 (went undrafted). so they arent exactly beacons of correctness.

actually both the Stepien and Schmitz have been very good at evaluating talent - that’s what matters

....that the Stepien has NAW ranked in lower tier only reinforces the Okeke pick for me...as does Schmitz’ praise

go it. Ignore the bad rankings, double down on the ones that you agree with

just having fun here

[Knightro]

Okeke is redundant with AG/Aminu already on this team.

He's only redundant if the plan is to keep all three guys and also keep Isaac.

It seems like, and unfortunately we probably won't find out until Okeke is healthy which might not be this season, that the Magic have positioned themselves to be able cash in a trade asset (likely Gordon) from a position of strength for a point guard or shooting guard to better balance the roster.

If that doesn't end up happening and once healthy Okeke just rides the bench behind Gordon/Isaac/Aminu, then you'll be right.

But I have a feeling that's not how that's going to end up going down. It just might take a year to find out depending on how quick Okeke is able to rehab to 100% full strength.

[PrimeThyme]

Okeke is redundant with AG/Aminu already on this team.

He's only redundant if the plan is to keep all three guys and also keep Isaac.

It seems like, and unfortunately we probably won't find out until Okeke is healthy which might not be this season, that the Magic have positioned themselves to be able cash in a trade asset (likely Gordon) from a position of strength for a point guard or shooting guard to better balance the roster.

If that doesn't end up happening and once healthy Okeke just rides the bench behind Gordon/Isaac/Aminu, then you'll be right.

But I have a feeling that's not how that's going to end up going down. It just might take a year to find out depending on how quick Okeke is able to rehab to 100% full strength.

It also depends on how high you are on AG because I do not think he will ever be a better player than Gordon is. I do not believe he will be better than Isaac either. So in my eyes its either he is a career backup for us or we have to trade somebody like AG who is a huge component to everything we are building. Neither excites me.

[MagicMatic]

Okeke is redundant with AG/Aminu already on this team.

He's only redundant if the plan is to keep all three guys and also keep Isaac.

It seems like, and unfortunately we probably won't find out until Okeke is healthy which might not be this season, that the Magic have positioned themselves to be able cash in a trade asset (likely Gordon) from a position of strength for a point guard or shooting guard to better balance the roster.

If that doesn't end up happening and once healthy Okeke just rides the bench behind Gordon/Isaac/Aminu, then you'll be right.

But I have a feeling that's not how that's going to end up going down. It just might take a year to find out depending on how quick Okeke is able to rehab to 100% full strength.

Signing Aminu and drafting Okeke tells me that a move is going to be made on AG, IF Okeke has game. They have bigger plans for JI and a ton of guys can play next to him with more compatible skill sets.

That being said, a lot of people try read the tea leaves with this FO and they continuously do the opposite whether is makes sense or not.

[MagicMatic]

Okeke is redundant with AG/Aminu already on this team.

He's only redundant if the plan is to keep all three guys and also keep Isaac.

It seems like, and unfortunately we probably won't find out until Okeke is healthy which might not be this season, that the Magic have positioned themselves to be able cash in a trade asset (likely Gordon) from a position of strength for a point guard or shooting guard to better balance the roster.

If that doesn't end up happening and once healthy Okeke just rides the bench behind Gordon/Isaac/Aminu, then you'll be right.

But I have a feeling that's not how that's going to end up going down. It just might take a year to find out depending on how quick Okeke is able to rehab to 100% full strength.

It also depends on how high you are on AG because I do not think he will ever be a better player than Gordon is. I do not believe he will be better than Isaac either. So in my eyes its either he is a career backup for us or we have to trade somebody like AG who is a huge component to everything we are building. Neither excites me.

These are the reasons none of the moves made sense this offseason. Even if they are extremely high on Okeke, the F depth obviously wasn’t the issue with this roster. They’ve also done nothing but praise JI, AG, and Ross. Then they signed Aminu.

[Knightro]

It also depends on how high you are on Okeke because I do not think he will ever be a better player than Gordon is. I do not believe he will be better than Isaac either. So in my eyes its either he is a career backup for us or we have to trade somebody like AG who is a huge component to everything we are building. Neither excites me.

I don't think Okeke has to be better than Aaron Gordon for a trade to still make sense either.

If the Okeke/Amimu pairing (or even Okeke alone) can give the Magic like 85% of AG's production and impact, but the player the Magic get in return for Gordon is significantly better than Augustin or Fournier, then they've come out ahead in the end.

It's not like Gordon is any kind of irreplaceable player.