Stay the course or rebuild now

[Skin]

Very nice, detailed write up. I think the moves are mostly lateral. Lineups you wrote lack shooting basketball iq and passing. It would be ugly me first basketball, much worse than we have now. Our ceiling also stays the same, if not lower. We still dont have a star and additionaly we dont have a center.

Sounds like you like our roster too much. So I can't really value this opinion. Lower ceiling? Zach is closer to being an actual star than anything else we have on our roster. Don't bring up Vuc. He's fool's gold. A Fultz-Lavine-Oubre-Isaac-Bamba starting lineup seems far from ugly me-first basketball. Surely it's better than Buddy Ball. Besides, coaching influences the system. What is unknown is how well could they gel and who could be the unknown breakout players. Any of them could be future breakout stars.

So you value only opinions of people who agree with you ? Seems like Earvin "Magic" Johnson aproach. I am not thrilled with our team, but i think trades you proposed make us significantly worse, without raising our ceiling. You trade for as you mentioned yourself "fools gold" players and expect to start winning ? I did comparison of Lavine vs Fournier. Lavine is better at drawing fouls, and isolation, Fournier is better at everything else. Most importantly Fournier is better at handling the ball and decision making.
Oubre is atrocious passer, with 6,6% assist percantage. He refuses to pass the ball, and cant make the right play by himself.
Rozier is another underwhelming passer with suspect decision making.
All players you suggested are bad defenders, bad to average passers, and low basketball iq guys. Ramsey is exactly the same type.
Not even one of the players above fit with Isaac who is a below average passer himself. I wont even start on Bamba.
If we want to go into Tmac direction, Levert seems like the only viable option. I propably wouldnt do it becouse it doesnt raise our ceiling, but next year we would be much better. I could talk myself into it, if we showcased him as a lead ball handler and then traded when Isaac is back.
I appreciate your effort, and every idea is worth considering, but i just dont like this one.

No, I respect a lot of different opinions... I challenge you to do the same thing and propose trades to other teams fans and come up with something that "raises our ceiling". Honestly, please do it.

Are Rozier, Lavine, and Oubre perfect? No. But I'm not giving up perfection to get them.

You seem to be evaluating players in a vacuum and judging them based off their old situation and old roles without giving any thought to how they would operate together in a new situation and new roles. Is your worry that there would be TOO MUCH iso ball? For a team that hasn't had a legit iso player in what seems like eternity, that thought almost brings me to tears of joy!

Bring in the talent... Let the PG and coach dictate how the ball flows.

[pepe1991]

SKin, my man, don't do yourself dirty like that, you know i'll hunt your crap down.

Your attemps for some logic behind failed logic are pretty sad.

First of all, Hornets have cap space because ... you know... Batum has player's option that only moron would reject. Worth $27M, so in second he picks that up, they have no money. And trade is once again- impossible.

Second, you pulled qoute from Rozier that he said in 2018, 2 years ago, while playing for Celtics, in some sad attemp to make it sound like he is ok comming from bench.
Do you know how many games Rozier come off bench for Hornets? Zeeeroo. 63 games played. 63 starts.


So you literally made whole s*** up , didn't even check fact that Rozier didn't start, tired to manipulate lie into 2 years old qoute


Ook let's move on.

Fournier after picking player's option, has as many years left on his deal as Oubre. One. Both will be FA in 2021. So...irrelevant trade since Magic have no control over their UFA status after one year rental.


3rd trade. Yea because that's how teams work, they care about what fans want and their feelings .. did you green-lighted Howard trade ?
I would like to get Lavine, but Magic will have to sell a lot for him.

Coby White is as much of a star Kevin Knox is. Empty PPGs, horrific advanced stats all across the board. Crappy playmaker, lousy rebounder, guy literally has negative offensive win share. He is as much of a "sure shot star" as Jordan Clarkson was after 1 year of empty calory- stats.

Bamba can't play as backup C today.

Just a fact somebody is "orlando Magic fan" and hates Vučević, who has been nothing but role model of hard work, development, stedy improvments, adjusting own game, loyality and who has been literally ALLSTAR last year and who returned from lockdown playing better than he did before.... actually says a lot about you.

It's clear what type of players and things you like. Flashy, dumb as bricks from BBIQ pov, wink wink Oubre, Rozier, Bamba...

Terry Rozier , while game was still playing ( 94:94) dumped ball toward the fans with 0:00 left to play and got technical foul that alllowed OKC to win game in dead time... Sometimes you have to go extra mile to be so dumb....


And you still didn't get what's wrong your pick trade?
You "traded" Evan for Oubre and right to swap pick, Witch is also nonsense since Suns are lottery team and Magic can't be in lottery. So even by design , Suns get better pick regardless. Complete nonsense, if you don't talk about 2021 pick, witch only moron would give up, since it's allegedly louded draft class and Suns are on the raise and Magic with that roster are... well.. 25 wins at most team.

I know i should stop reading after Oubre new T Mac and figure it's a troll post but hey... i'm a fool.

[Bensational]

With Bamba's health being unpredictable, I see no chance of Vuc being traded any time soon. Same with Gordon/Isaac. Only reason Gordon gets traded, IMO, is because he gets sick of this **** and asks for a trade.

I think WeHam look to move Fournier, and/or looks for a SF upgrade. Fournier for Barton + Rockets Pick (Pokusevski).

I wouldn't be surprised if WeHam suddenly decided to add a couple extra youth pieces to the team this summer, now that Isaac and Bamba have such uncertain futures. Pokusevski would give them a player who could potentially replace them, or play alongside them if they returned healthy. Fultz still has promise and potential, but really seems to have lost his edge and will to dominate. Lewis would give a young backup alternative to him.

TLC looks like the kind of guy WeHam might take a chance on, and he's really showing out in this bubble run. Possible MLE candidate. I don't think Brooklyn spends the money to match.


Vuc/Birch/(Bamba)
Gordon/Pokusevski/Aminu
Barton/Okeke/(Isaac)
TLC/Ross
Fultz/Lewis


Barton and TLC allow the team to play with an offensive pecking order like we've seen when Fournier is out. Vuc/Gordon/Fultz - which leads to Fultz stepping up more. Barton and TLC being there as reliable scorers after that. If Clifford staggers lineups properly, Barton and TLC can carry over to the bench to help provide more offense and experience amongst that lineup. Lewis and Pok would serve primarily as facilitators and open shooters, as Cliff does with all his young bucks.

[Knightro]

Total Reset Option

FRONT OFFICE
Fire Jeff Weltman and John Hammond
-I have nothing against these guys, but this is the total reset option. I'd look to bring in someone completely new to run the front office and oversee the rebuilding process.

Hire Wes Wilcox as President of Basketball Operations
-Wilcox is a proven GM who was directly involved in transitioning the Hawks out of the Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams era and into the Teague-Korver-Millsap-Horford era. A terrible gaffe where he made a racially insensitive joke in public cost him his job back in 2017, but he's one the most talented personnel man not working in the league right now.

COACHING STAFF
Fire Steve Clifford
-Much like the front office guys, I am a fan of Clifford generally speaking. He is capable of taking a team from bad to average, but I think we'd all agree that he's not the coach to lead a teardown and rebuild.

Hire Charles Lee as head coach
-The Mike Budenholzer tree sprouts another branch. With Quin Snyder, Kenny Atkinson and Taylor Jenkins all showing success in the NBA, new PBO Wes Wilcox tabs the 35-year-old Charles Lee for the lead role. Much like Taylor Jenkins, Lee is extremely well regarded as a player development coach and is the right kind of culture-first coach who can navigate a potentially long rebuild.

FREE AGENTS
Do not resign DJ Augustin or Michael Carter-Williams
-No need for older backup guards on a rebuilding club.

Decline Melvin Frazier's team option
-Simply hasn't shown enough to justify the roster spot.

Extend qualifying offers to Wes Iwundu and Gary Clark
-Neither one of these guys are particularly high upside, but they both play hard every night and are the types of guys willing to buy in.

TRADES
-Trade Nikola Vucevic and Evan Fournier to the Sacramento Kings for Harrison Barnes, Cory Joseph and the Kings 2021 1st round pick
-Trade Aaron Gordon to the Minnesota Timberwolves for James Johnson (buyout), Josh Okogie and the Wolves 2020 1st round pick via Brooklyn
-Trade Terrence Ross to the Philadelphia 76ers for Mike Scott, Zhaire Smith and Shake Milton
-Trade Al-Farouq Aminu to the Atlanta Hawks for Dewayne Dedmon

DRAFT
15th overall: Aleksej Pokuševski
16th overall: Josh Green
43rd overall: Grant Riller

NEW ROSTER
G: Markelle Fultz, Grant Riller, Cory Joseph
G: Shake Milton, Josh Okogie, Zhaire Smith
F: Josh Green, Wes Iwundu, Aleksej Pokuševski
F: Harrison Barnes, Chuma Okeke, Gary Clark
C: Mo Bamba, Dewayne Dedmon, Khem Birch

After Year 1 of this regime, you let Birch, Clark and Iwundu walk as free agents and replace them with your three draft picks (own 1st, Kings 1st, own 2nd) and explore the possibility to unloading Joseph, Dedmon and Barnes as their contracts get shorter.

[zaymon]

Total Reset Option

FRONT OFFICE
Fire Jeff Weltman and John Hammond
-I have nothing against these guys, but this is the total reset option. I'd look to bring in someone completely new to run the front office and oversee the rebuilding process.

Hire Wes Wilcox as President of Basketball Operations
-Wilcox is a proven GM who was directly involved in transitioning the Hawks out of the Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams era and into the Teague-Korver-Millsap-Horford era. A terrible gaffe where he made a racially insensitive joke in public cost him his job back in 2017, but he's one the most talented personnel man not working in the league right now.

COACHING STAFF
Fire Steve Clifford
-Much like the front office guys, I am a fan of Clifford generally speaking. He is capable of taking a team from bad to average, but I think we'd all agree that he's not the coach to lead a teardown and rebuild.

Hire Charles Lee as head coach
-The Mike Budenholzer tree sprouts another branch. With Quin Snyder, Kenny Atkinson and Taylor Jenkins all showing success in the NBA, new PBO Wes Wilcox tabs the 35-year-old Charles Lee for the lead role. Much like Taylor Jenkins, Lee is extremely well regarded as a player development coach and is the right kind of culture-first coach who can navigate a potentially long rebuild.

FREE AGENTS
Do not resign DJ Augustin or Michael Carter-Williams
-No need for older backup guards on a rebuilding club.

Decline Melvin Frazier's team option
-Simply hasn't shown enough to justify the roster spot.

Extend qualifying offers to Wes Iwundu and Gary Clark
-Neither one of these guys are particularly high upside, but they both play hard every night and are the types of guys willing to buy in.

TRADES
-Trade Nikola Vucevic and Evan Fournier to the Sacramento Kings for Harrison Barnes, Cory Joseph and the Kings 2021 1st round pick
-Trade Aaron Gordon to the Minnesota Timberwolves for James Johnson (buyout), Josh Okogie and the Wolves 2020 1st round pick via Brooklyn
-Trade Terrence Ross to the Philadelphia 76ers for Mike Scott, Zhaire Smith and Shake Milton
-Trade Al-Farouq Aminu to the Atlanta Hawks for Dewayne Dedmon

DRAFT
15th overall: Aleksej Pokuševski
16th overall: Josh Green
43rd overall: Grant Riller

NEW ROSTER
G: Markelle Fultz, Grant Riller, Cory Joseph
G: Shake Milton, Josh Okogie, Zhaire Smith
F: Josh Green, Wes Iwundu, Aleksej Pokuševski
F: Harrison Barnes, Chuma Okeke, Gary Clark
C: Mo Bamba, Dewayne Dedmon, Khem Birch

After Year 1 of this regime, you let Birch, Clark and Iwundu walk as free agents and replace them with your three draft picks (own 1st, Kings 1st, own 2nd) and explore the possibility to unloading Joseph, Dedmon and Barnes as their contracts get shorter.

I dont think we should change front office. They didnt make their big move yet, and to be honest i dont think they should have until this point. I will judge them after they use some assets to change the outlook of the team. Last years draft was shallow at the top and this years draft doesnt have a top. It was wise we didnt bottom out. We will get similar level talent but much cheaper. Next years draft... hmmm thats a little different.
I dont think its the right time to fire Clifford. He is tough, he held our guys accountable, he brought the best from this roster. He has the track record developing players into allstars and we dont talk about guys coming into the league as surefire stars. I was done with Vogel after 1 year, but i like how Steve is trying to play with limited talent.
Declining Frazier is whatever, but not resigning DJ and MCW hurts a little. I guess if we draft Riller we have enough firepower behind Fultz but i doubt he will be available at 45. In this rebuild scenario it makes sense, but i dont know if this is the wisest use of assets.

Trade 1- i doubt Kings do this. It leaves them with too many centers( eapecially if we thing Bagley best position is center), too many wings and no versatile forward defender.
Trade 2- its ok, but i want to see how lottery shakes up. Maybe we have a chance for better pick if Wolves, GSW or some other team fall.
Trade 3- i know in a rebuild he doesnt make sense, but i dont like the return. It feels like just dumping asset
Trade 4- same as 3. I would never trade average defensive forward for below average center.

I like your draft a lot. I have my doubts if Pokusevski is available at 15 and Riller at 45 but i would take it.
Overall i think this scenario is interesting but risky with moderate ceiling. If we dont win big in 2021 lottery we are left with less talented roster, comparable asset pool and propably very bad chemistry with Fultz.

[Skin]

SKin, my man, don't do yourself dirty like that, you know i'll hunt your crap down.

Your attemps for some logic behind failed logic are pretty sad.

First of all, Hornets have cap space because ... you know... Batum has player's option that only moron would reject. Worth $27M, so in second he picks that up, they have no money. And trade is once again- impossible.

Second, you pulled qoute from Rozier that he said in 2018, 2 years ago, while playing for Celtics, in some sad attemp to make it sound like he is ok comming from bench.
Do you know how many games Rozier come off bench for Hornets? Zeeeroo. 63 games played. 63 starts.


So you literally made whole s*** up , didn't even check fact that Rozier didn't start, tired to manipulate lie into 2 years old qoute


Ook let's move on.

Fournier after picking player's option, has as many years left on his deal as Oubre. One. Both will be FA in 2021. So...irrelevant trade since Magic have no control over their UFA status after one year rental.


3rd trade. Yea because that's how teams work, they care about what fans want and their feelings .. did you green-lighted Howard trade ?
I would like to get Lavine, but Magic will have to sell a lot for him.

Coby White is as much of a star Kevin Knox is. Empty PPGs, horrific advanced stats all across the board. Crappy playmaker, lousy rebounder, guy literally has negative offensive win share. He is as much of a "sure shot star" as Jordan Clarkson was after 1 year of empty calory- stats.

Bamba can't play as backup C today.

Just a fact somebody is "orlando Magic fan" and hates Vučević, who has been nothing but role model of hard work, development, stedy improvments, adjusting own game, loyality and who has been literally ALLSTAR last year and who returned from lockdown playing better than he did before.... actually says a lot about you.

It's clear what type of players and things you like. Flashy, dumb as bricks from BBIQ pov, wink wink Oubre, Rozier, Bamba...

Terry Rozier , while game was still playing ( 94:94) dumped ball toward the fans with 0:00 left to play and got technical foul that alllowed OKC to win game in dead time... Sometimes you have to go extra mile to be so dumb....


And you still didn't get what's wrong your pick trade?
You "traded" Evan for Oubre and right to swap pick, Witch is also nonsense since Suns are lottery team and Magic can't be in lottery. So even by design , Suns get better pick regardless. Complete nonsense, if you don't talk about 2021 pick, witch only moron would give up, since it's allegedly louded draft class and Suns are on the raise and Magic with that roster are... well.. 25 wins at most team.

I know i should stop reading after Oubre new T Mac and figure it's a troll post but hey... i'm a fool.

Your reading comprehension is so bad. Why does everyone else get it except for you? I'm not gonna waste my time explaining things a 3rd time because you still won't get it.

I get it. You don't like young players. You don't want change and you believe Vuc and Fournier will lead us to somewhere good.

[darthmerrick]

With Bamba's health being unpredictable, I see no chance of Vuc being traded any time soon. Same with Gordon/Isaac. Only reason Gordon gets traded, IMO, is because he gets sick of this **** and asks for a trade.

I think WeHam look to move Fournier, and/or looks for a SF upgrade. Fournier for Barton + Rockets Pick (Pokusevski).

I wouldn't be surprised if WeHam suddenly decided to add a couple extra youth pieces to the team this summer, now that Isaac and Bamba have such uncertain futures. Pokusevski would give them a player who could potentially replace them, or play alongside them if they returned healthy. Fultz still has promise and potential, but really seems to have lost his edge and will to dominate. Lewis would give a young backup alternative to him.

TLC looks like the kind of guy WeHam might take a chance on, and he's really showing out in this bubble run. Possible MLE candidate. I don't think Brooklyn spends the money to match.


Vuc/Birch/(Bamba)
Gordon/Pokusevski/Aminu
Barton/Okeke/(Isaac)
TLC/Ross
Fultz/Lewis


Barton and TLC allow the team to play with an offensive pecking order like we've seen when Fournier is out. Vuc/Gordon/Fultz - which leads to Fultz stepping up more. Barton and TLC being there as reliable scorers after that. If Clifford staggers lineups properly, Barton and TLC can carry over to the bench to help provide more offense and experience amongst that lineup. Lewis and Pok would serve primarily as facilitators and open shooters, as Cliff does with all his young bucks.

This post, Fournier moved n off season on a small move lesser player, but improves team by subtraction and they'll try to add via the MLE.

I say verdict is out until after the post season. If AG, Vuc, Fournier do well and we push Bucks then I don't think WEHAM makes any changes again. If they struggle then any logical GM given the size of our pay roll would hit the reset button and try to build something around Chuma, Fultz, Bamba and Issac and our #15 pick. Weham may just sit on their hands until Magic management loses patience and moves on.

[Knightro]

I dont think we should change front office. They didnt make their big move yet, and to be honest i dont think they should have until this point. I will judge them after they use some assets to change the outlook of the team. Last years draft was shallow at the top and this years draft doesnt have a top. It was wise we didnt bottom out. We will get similar level talent but much cheaper. Next years draft... hmmm thats a little different.
I dont think its the right time to fire Clifford. He is tough, he held our guys accountable, he brought the best from this roster. He has the track record developing players into allstars and we dont talk about guys coming into the league as surefire stars. I was done with Vogel after 1 year, but i like how Steve is trying to play with limited talent.
Declining Frazier is whatever, but not resigning DJ and MCW hurts a little. I guess if we draft Riller we have enough firepower behind Fultz but i doubt he will be available at 45. In this rebuild scenario it makes sense, but i dont know if this is the wisest use of assets.

Trade 1- i doubt Kings do this. It leaves them with too many centers( eapecially if we thing Bagley best position is center), too many wings and no versatile forward defender.
Trade 2- its ok, but i want to see how lottery shakes up. Maybe we have a chance for better pick if Wolves, GSW or some other team fall.
Trade 3- i know in a rebuild he doesnt make sense, but i dont like the return. It feels like just dumping asset
Trade 4- same as 3. I would never trade average defensive forward for below average center.

I like your draft a lot. I have my doubts if Pokusevski is available at 15 and Riller at 45 but i would take it.
Overall i think this scenario is interesting but risky with moderate ceiling. If we dont win big in 2021 lottery we are left with less talented roster, comparable asset pool and propably very bad chemistry with Fultz.

Just to be clear, I don’t think any of the hypotheticals I proposed will actually happen. I was just trying to come up with a massive shakeup scenario.

I do like the idea of pairing Fultz with a ton of shooters.

Shake Milton is a career 40% 3PT shooter.
Josh Green and Chuma Okeke project out as a solid 3&D guys.
Harrison Barnes is a career 37.5% 3PT shooter.
Dedmon might be washed, but he shot 38.5% from three just a year ago.

Then you’d have the opportunity to try and develop a couple of young wings in Okogie and Smith (plus Green) to see if you can tap into the potential that made them first rounders originally.

You’d have the wild card of Riller who could become the next VanVleet.

And you’d have Poku! He’s obviously sushi raw right now, but he would be given all the time in the world to figure it out.

[PrimeThyme]

Just to be clear, I don’t think any of the hypotheticals I proposed will actually happen. I was just trying to come up with a massive shakeup scenario.

I do like the idea of pairing Fultz with a ton of shooters.

Shake Milton is a career 40% 3PT shooter.
Josh Green and Chuma Okeke project out as a solid 3&D guys.
Harrison Barnes is a career 37.5% 3PT shooter.
Dedmon might be washed, but he shot 38.5% from three just a year ago.

Then you’d have the opportunity to try and develop a couple of young wings in Okogie and Smith (plus Green) to see if you can tap into the potential that made them first rounders originally.

You’d have the wild card of Riller who could become the next VanVleet.

And you’d have Poku! He’s obviously sushi raw right now, but he would be given all the time in the world to figure it out.

Watch on YouTube

Full reset or not, I personally think Simons is a really interesting realistic target for us. Young hometown kid with an intriguing skill set. He's been inconsistent up until this point (as most young guards are) and is currently out of the rotation in Portland (who is in full win-now mode) but with his size and shotmaking ability I think he'd be the perfect type of combo guard to develop next to Fultz.

They are pretty desperate for forwards in Portland. Which makes me think they would have an interest in AG. Not sure what a deal for Simons would look like tho. I keep hearing from their fans how valued he is but he currently isn't even cracking the rotation in favor of Gary trent who's admittedly been playing really well so it's hard to tell.

[Def Swami]

Gordon would be extremely coveted by a team like the Blazers. He'd fit perfectly with Dame and CJ and Nurk. They need a forward who can defend opposing wings.

Poaching a young player like Simons is exactly what the Magic should look to do. Simons for AG doesn't work straight up in terms of value on the court or even financially. The Blazers don't have a lot of contracts that they can use to complete a deal like this. It might require a 3rd team. Maybe we would also have to take back Ariza's $24 mill/2 years, which is a clear negative for us. Perhaps the Blazers include a draft pick.

Maybe we can send them Aminu back.

[Knightro]

Full reset or not, I personally think Simons is a really interesting realistic target for us. Young hometown kid with an intriguing skill set. He's been inconsistent up until this point (as most young guards are) and is currently out of the rotation in Portland (who is in full win-now mode) but with his size and shotmaking ability I think he'd be the perfect type of combo guard to develop next to Fultz.

They are pretty desperate for forwards in Portland. Which makes me think they would have an interest in AG. Not sure what a deal for Simons would look like tho. I keep hearing from their fans how valued he is but he currently isn't even cracking the rotation in favor of Gary trent who's admittedly been playing really well so it's hard to tell.

Completely agree on Simons.

The Magic should be hunting for undervalued young guards and wings still on their rookie deals who haven't quite broken through yet and could potentially thrive with a bigger opportunity.

Like what Minnesota did with Malik Beasley.

How about...

Aaron Gordon 18.1M
Melvin Frazier 1.6M
TOTAL: 19.7M

for

Trevor Ariza 12.8M
Rodney Hood 6M
Anfernee Simons 2.2M
TOTAL: 21.M

Would work financially when the league year changes over to 2020-2021.

[Bensational]

Simons and NAW are both super interesting prospects to me. I think a team would have to overpay for them, relative to their current value.

Trading Gordon would be the move that really kills our playoff hopes, even if everything else stayed the same.

Gordon for Simons + Ariza + POR2020 1st.

Vuc/Birch/(Bamba)
Aminu/Okeke/Pokusevski (por pick)
Ariza/Ross/(Isaac)
Fournier/Simons
Fultz/Lewis

The starting 5 would be blown out of the water by every other starting 5. The young pieces on the bench wouldn't get much for touches with the Ross-centric 2nd unit, and there's probably too much youth.

[Knightro]

Simons and NAW are both super interesting prospects to me. I think a team would have to overpay for them, relative to their current value.

Gordon for Simons + Ariza + POR2020 1st.

I would be shocked if Portland gave up Simons *and* the 16th pick for Aaron Gordon.

If they'd do that, I'd jump all over it in a second.

[Dubious Kitty]

I’m confused by the question. Stay the course Hennigan built? Not what we hired the new guys to do.

Rebuild? Why? Why not actually make some damn roster changes? We don’t need a total rebuild. We need actual roster changing moves. We need to stop putting tires on the team Hennigan failed to build.

[Bensational]

Simons and NAW are both super interesting prospects to me. I think a team would have to overpay for them, relative to their current value.

Gordon for Simons + Ariza + POR2020 1st.

I would be shocked if Portland gave up Simons *and* the 16th pick for Aaron Gordon.

If they'd do that, I'd jump all over it in a second.

If they didn't, then don't do the deal. Otherwise we're selling short on Gordon for a player who might only be Ross Jr.

Keeping Gordon and changing the dynamic of the team is a better option than selling low.

[Knightro]

If they didn't, then don't do the deal. Otherwise we're selling short on Gordon for a player who might only be Ross Jr.

Keeping Gordon and changing the dynamic of the team is a better option than selling low.

But how do you change the dynamic of the team in a meaningful way while keeping Gordon is the question?

[Bensational]

If they didn't, then don't do the deal. Otherwise we're selling short on Gordon for a player who might only be Ross Jr.

Keeping Gordon and changing the dynamic of the team is a better option than selling low.

But how do you change the dynamic of the team in a meaningful way while keeping Gordon is the question?

Moving Fournier first seems like the obvious option to me. We've seen the team look different when he plays because it forces the dynamic to change. Basic addition by subtraction and forcing Fultz to step into that #2-3 role is a start.

Ive said before that I think the Vuc/Gordon front court shows some real promise. It's been looking different, and much improved, since around the all-star break.

But, that might only be enough change to prompt Fultz to step up. So if a Vuc/Gordon/Fultz top three isn't enough of an improvement, Vuc should be moved next. That would bring the biggest change since he's such a crutch for everyone - coaches and players alike.

Then you're left with Gordon/Fultz who I'm not even sure they're the strongest pairing, alongside whoever replaces Fournier and Vuc. In which case, you want a wing who can become the 2nd if not 1st option in their wake.

Who that wing would be depends on trade returns, free agency and the draft. Probably won't be a name that excites anyone up front, because that's the calibre of players we're looking at in any return - even if we trade Gordon.

Long term, though, Gordon is a better piece to keep as core moving forwards until someone arrives who can replace him.

[MagicStarwipe]

Nothing will change until we fire Rob Hennigan.

[dsg2021]

We need to move on from Jacque Vaughn. "A perfect coach for a rebuild"..

[Xatticus]

Full reset or not, I personally think Simons is a really interesting realistic target for us. Young hometown kid with an intriguing skill set. He's been inconsistent up until this point (as most young guards are) and is currently out of the rotation in Portland (who is in full win-now mode) but with his size and shotmaking ability I think he'd be the perfect type of combo guard to develop next to Fultz.

They are pretty desperate for forwards in Portland. Which makes me think they would have an interest in AG. Not sure what a deal for Simons would look like tho. I keep hearing from their fans how valued he is but he currently isn't even cracking the rotation in favor of Gary trent who's admittedly been playing really well so it's hard to tell.

Completely agree on Simons.

The Magic should be hunting for undervalued young guards and wings still on their rookie deals who haven't quite broken through yet and could potentially thrive with a bigger opportunity.

Like what Minnesota did with Malik Beasley.

How about...

Aaron Gordon 18.1M
Melvin Frazier 1.6M
TOTAL: 19.7M

for

Trevor Ariza 12.8M
Rodney Hood 6M
Anfernee Simons 2.2M
TOTAL: 21.M

Would work financially when the league year changes over to 2020-2021.

I’d need a pretty good pick to even consider this. The luster has worn off of Simons. He can’t defend and what is he actually good at offensively? Portland was a disaster when he was on the floor. There might be some upside there, but he is far from useful right now. I think Portland would jump all over this.