Official Speculation Thread '19-'20 V: Purgatory

[VFX]

It's not what I would do, but would we be any worse off than we are right now? I'd probably actually enjoy watching next season. Right now, I'm wondering whether I will have the stomach for it. It sort of depends on who we draft.

This. I'm not a big Westbrook fan but I'd be much more interested to watch him next year than to watch what we have been putting on the floor.

WeHam get their Kyle Lowry piece, they just need to rush to add the supporting cast whilst Westbrook remains athletic enough.

What pieces on our team do we keep to out around him? Bamba + Gordon + Okeke + Ross/Fournier + Westbrook? Draft another SG prospect for the future like Haliburton.

Westbrook would carry the team much further than Vuc has been doing. Again, not into real contention, but if we can look relevant enough and winning enough perhaps the FA appeal of the team takes a jump?

Westbrook ran off Durant and now he and Harden can play together. No star is going to want to come play with 32 yr old Westbrook eating up $44mil+ in cap space

While I agree in principle, the simultaneous talk of moving AG for draft position signifies this is more of a rebuild, rather than acquiring a competitive advantage.

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y2gty5u5

Maybe something like this will happen to go with moving up and acquiring Houston’s 2021 pick.

Westbrook/MCW
Fournier/Hayes
Ross/House
Okeke/Aminu
Bamba/Birch

That’s a pretty tank-tastic roster for a season without Isaac. At least it’s an exciting team to watch while we wait for next years very good draft.

[Bensational]

This. I'm not a big Westbrook fan but I'd be much more interested to watch him next year than to watch what we have been putting on the floor.

WeHam get their Kyle Lowry piece, they just need to rush to add the supporting cast whilst Westbrook remains athletic enough.

What pieces on our team do we keep to out around him? Bamba + Gordon + Okeke + Ross/Fournier + Westbrook? Draft another SG prospect for the future like Haliburton.

Westbrook would carry the team much further than Vuc has been doing. Again, not into real contention, but if we can look relevant enough and winning enough perhaps the FA appeal of the team takes a jump?

Westbrook ran off Durant and now he and Harden can play together. No star is going to want to come play with 32 yr old Westbrook eating up $44mil+ in cap space

While I agree in principle, the simultaneous talk of moving AG for draft position signifies this is more of a rebuild, rather than acquiring a competitive advantage.

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y2gty5u5

Maybe something like this will happen to go with moving up and acquiring Houston’s 2021 pick.

Westbrook/MCW
Fournier/Hayes
Ross/House
Okeke/Aminu
Bamba/Birch

That’s a pretty tank-tastic roster for a season without Isaac. At least it’s an exciting team to watch while we wait for next years very good draft.

That team isn't tanking. What do you do when they become a 40-49 win team and keep us in the same draft odds? Are you happy to continue the ascent from there?

[MasterGMer]

This. I'm not a big Westbrook fan but I'd be much more interested to watch him next year than to watch what we have been putting on the floor.

WeHam get their Kyle Lowry piece, they just need to rush to add the supporting cast whilst Westbrook remains athletic enough.

What pieces on our team do we keep to out around him? Bamba + Gordon + Okeke + Ross/Fournier + Westbrook? Draft another SG prospect for the future like Haliburton.

Westbrook would carry the team much further than Vuc has been doing. Again, not into real contention, but if we can look relevant enough and winning enough perhaps the FA appeal of the team takes a jump?

Westbrook ran off Durant and now he and Harden can play together. No star is going to want to come play with 32 yr old Westbrook eating up $44mil+ in cap space

While I agree in principle, the simultaneous talk of moving AG for draft position signifies this is more of a rebuild, rather than acquiring a competitive advantage.

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y2gty5u5

Maybe something like this will happen to go with moving up and acquiring Houston’s 2021 pick.

Westbrook/MCW
Fournier/Hayes
Ross/House
Okeke/Aminu
Bamba/Birch

That’s a pretty tank-tastic roster for a season without Isaac. At least it’s an exciting team to watch while we wait for next years very good draft.

One, I do not think we are going to rebuild.

Two, I would not give up Vuc. Vuc and Westbrook combo is a killer

[VFX]

Westbrook ran off Durant and now he and Harden can play together. No star is going to want to come play with 32 yr old Westbrook eating up $44mil+ in cap space

While I agree in principle, the simultaneous talk of moving AG for draft position signifies this is more of a rebuild, rather than acquiring a competitive advantage.

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y2gty5u5

Maybe something like this will happen to go with moving up and acquiring Houston’s 2021 pick.

Westbrook/MCW
Fournier/Hayes
Ross/House
Okeke/Aminu
Bamba/Birch

That’s a pretty tank-tastic roster for a season without Isaac. At least it’s an exciting team to watch while we wait for next years very good draft.

That team isn't tanking. What do you do when they become a 40-49 win team and keep us in the same draft odds? Are you happy to continue the ascent from there?

It’s not? Unproven Okeke, Bamba, and Hayes... to go with streaky Ross, no Isaac, Fournier, and a 32 year old Westbrook id hardly call contending.

In the off chance that team outplays expectations it would mean that the unproven guys are thriving.

[VFX]

Westbrook ran off Durant and now he and Harden can play together. No star is going to want to come play with 32 yr old Westbrook eating up $44mil+ in cap space

While I agree in principle, the simultaneous talk of moving AG for draft position signifies this is more of a rebuild, rather than acquiring a competitive advantage.

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y2gty5u5

Maybe something like this will happen to go with moving up and acquiring Houston’s 2021 pick.

Westbrook/MCW
Fournier/Hayes
Ross/House
Okeke/Aminu
Bamba/Birch

That’s a pretty tank-tastic roster for a season without Isaac. At least it’s an exciting team to watch while we wait for next years very good draft.

One, I do not think we are going to rebuild.

Two, I would not give up Vuc. Vuc and Westbrook combo is a killer

Propose a trade for a Westbrook, not involving Vuc, that isn’t classified a “rebuild”.

So we are dismissing two open rumors about being interesting in Westbrook and attempting to trade AG +15 for draft position? Usually the FO is tight lipped, but how do you not classify that as attempting to rebuild?

[Bensational]

While I agree in principle, the simultaneous talk of moving AG for draft position signifies this is more of a rebuild, rather than acquiring a competitive advantage.

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y2gty5u5

Maybe something like this will happen to go with moving up and acquiring Houston’s 2021 pick.

Westbrook/MCW
Fournier/Hayes
Ross/House
Okeke/Aminu
Bamba/Birch

That’s a pretty tank-tastic roster for a season without Isaac. At least it’s an exciting team to watch while we wait for next years very good draft.

That team isn't tanking. What do you do when they become a 40-49 win team and keep us in the same draft odds? Are you happy to continue the ascent from there?

It’s not? Unproven Okeke, Bamba, and Hayes... to go with streaky Ross, no Isaac, Fournier, and a 32 year old Westbrook id hardly call contending.

In the off chance that team outplays expectations it would mean that the unproven guys are thriving.

Why do you jump from me talking about playoffs to 'contention'? Who said anything about contending? Playoff contention is an absolute possibility with Westbrook in the East, if the team has cohesion. It wouldn't have anything to do with the youth thriving, and more that they just aren't bad enough to tank Russ' impact.

I can just tell you'll end up sulking about the team when they start winning and aren't in the higher lottery odds once more.

[VFX]

That team isn't tanking. What do you do when they become a 40-49 win team and keep us in the same draft odds? Are you happy to continue the ascent from there?

It’s not? Unproven Okeke, Bamba, and Hayes... to go with streaky Ross, no Isaac, Fournier, and a 32 year old Westbrook id hardly call contending.

In the off chance that team outplays expectations it would mean that the unproven guys are thriving.

Why do you jump from me talking about playoffs to 'contention'? Who said anything about contending? Playoff contention is an absolute possibility with Westbrook in the East, if the team has cohesion. It wouldn't have anything to do with the youth thriving, and more that they just aren't bad enough to tank Russ' impact.

I can just tell you'll end up sulking about the team when they start winning and aren't in the higher lottery odds once more.

Maybe, maybe not. Having an capped out roster, with little to no room for advancement, doesn’t leave Orlando with many options regardless.

We both know one thing : There is no Isaac next season. So are you saying you’d rather watch this roster make the 8th again, or that you think they’d overachieve with a vastly different roster? I don’t know if you watched Westbrook last season, but i wouldn’t say he’s in his prime anymore. On top of that, eastern teams are going to get better. You’re overrating WB and I’m not, maybe that’s the difference.

I’m not even saying I’m sold on the Westbrook experiment. I’m just glad there are rumors that the FO are finally attempting to get rid of Hennigan players for once.

[Knightro]

Personally, I have zero interest in Westbrook.

But if the Magic were going to make that move, I'd offer Fournier-Fultz-Aminu and nothing more.

If you're trading for Westbrook and committing to that taking on that salary for the next three years, you're also 100 percent committing to trying to be as competitive as possible at the same time. No way around it. You can't willingly acquire a guy making 40+ million a year and also tank.

That means they'd need to keep Gordon, Ross and Vucevic, sign someone for the full MLE, the whole nine yards.

[OrlChamps2030]

I’d be more interested in Westbrook or CP3 (moreso CP3 I think) if Isaac was playing next season.

Next season is a complete wash. Its as good of a season as ever to pull off a “sneaky” tank job. No fans = no hiding behind the guise of increased ticket sales from “competitiveness” . Possible lowered salary cap. A very competitive eastern conference. Most promising young player out with injury. A head coach that’s going to get canned in a season or 2 regardless. Stacked upcoming draft.

Let’s evaluate and see what Fultz, Bamba, and Okeke can do.

[VFX]

I’d bet Westbrook ends up in New York when it’s all said and done.

[MasterGMer]

Personally, I have zero interest in Westbrook.

But if the Magic were going to make that move, I'd offer Fournier-Fultz-Aminu and nothing more.

If you're trading for Westbrook and committing to that taking on that salary for the next three years, you're also 100 percent committing to trying to be as competitive as possible at the same time. No way around it. You can't willingly acquire a guy making 40+ million a year and also tank.

That means they'd need to keep Gordon, Ross and Vucevic, sign someone for the full MLE, the whole nine yards.

I'd rather trade for Harden with that. But I know Rockets will want more.

Maybe we can do a three team trade with NO.2 to Houston and Aaron Gordon plus Evan Fournier to GSW. And we get Harden.

Houston is rebuilding after this. A NO.2 pick, hopefully, can entice them

[jonbob17]

Personally, I have zero interest in Westbrook.

But if the Magic were going to make that move, I'd offer Fournier-Fultz-Aminu and nothing more.

If you're trading for Westbrook and committing to that taking on that salary for the next three years, you're also 100 percent committing to trying to be as competitive as possible at the same time. No way around it. You can't willingly acquire a guy making 40+ million a year and also tank.

That means they'd need to keep Gordon, Ross and Vucevic, sign someone for the full MLE, the whole nine yards.

I'd rather trade for Harden with that. But I know Rockets will want more.

Maybe we can do a three team trade with NO.2 to Houston and Aaron Gordon plus Evan Fournier to GSW. And we get Harden.

Houston is rebuilding after this. A NO.2 pick, hopefully, can entice them

Unfortunately we don't have what it takes to get Harden, and if he becomes available, there are enough teams that will.

[pepe1991]

Evan, Aminu Fultz for Westbrook isn't worst trade team can make.
Magic give up exp contract, pending UFA and underperforming vet for player that walks in and from a gates is probably top 5 greatest players in Magic history

[Ducklett]

Evan, Aminu Fultz for Westbrook isn't worst trade team can make.
Magic give up exp contract, pending UFA and underperforming vet for player that walks in and from a gates is probably top 5 greatest players in Magic history

He makes AG's 3 point shooting look like Steph.

[pepe1991]

Evan, Aminu Fultz for Westbrook isn't worst trade team can make.
Magic give up exp contract, pending UFA and underperforming vet for player that walks in and from a gates is probably top 5 greatest players in Magic history

He makes AG's 3 point shooting look like Steph.

He sucks from 3 point line. But man, guy can drive.

[Knightro]

Read on Twitter

Notes
-Lowe says there's only 4-5 teams where it wouldn't be crazy for them to trade for Westbrook and the Magic are one of them.
-Clark wants Westbrook. Doesn't necessarily think Westbrook would want to come, but he's all for it.
-Dan Devine suggested Gordon-Ennis-Fultz for Westbrook on Twitter and Magic fans gave him hell over it.
-Clark says the Magic are begging for an all-star.
-Clark thinks Weltman and Hammond are much better than Hennigan, but both regimes have fallen victim to the idea that shooting and scoring can be developed over time.
-Lowe says the Magic have no timeline and are on the "escalator to nowhere".
-Lowe says the challenge for the Magic acquiring Westbrook is being able to field a competitive team around Russ given how much money they would need to send out.
-Lowe says it wouldn't make sense to send out Fournier and Gordon and a third contract because the Magic wouldn't have enough pieces left to play with Westbrook.
-Clark and Lowe both agree the Magic need a significant shakeup.
-Lowe asks if Westbrook makes the Magic any better than the 8 seed. Clark says maybe not next year, but with a healthy Isaac they would be a higher seed.

Listen Here: https://dcs.megaphone.fm/ESP4792600374.mp3?key=853ceb6bdca9916d5c68dd5f704f1bf2

[Ducklett]

Read on Twitter

Notes
-Lowe says there's only 4-5 teams where it wouldn't be crazy for them to trade for Westbrook and the Magic are one of them.
-Clark wants Westbrook. Doesn't necessarily think Westbrook would want to come, but he's all for it.
-Dan Devine suggested Gordon-Ennis-Fultz for Westbrook on Twitter and Magic fans gave him hell over it.
-Clark says the Magic are begging for an all-star.
-Clark thinks Weltman and Hammond are much better than Hennigan, but both regimes have fallen victim to the idea that shooting and scoring can be developed over time.
-Lowe says the Magic have no timeline and are on the "escalator to nowhere".
-Lowe says the challenge for the Magic acquiring Westbrook is being able to field a competitive team around Russ given how much money they would need to send out.
-Lowe says it wouldn't make sense to send out Fournier and Gordon and a third contract because the Magic wouldn't have enough pieces left to play with Westbrook.
-Clark and Lowe both agree the Magic need a significant shakeup.
-Lowe asks if Westbrook makes the Magic any better than the 8 seed. Clark says maybe not next year, but with a healthy Isaac they would be a higher seed.

Listen Here: https://dcs.megaphone.fm/ESP4792600374.mp3?key=853ceb6bdca9916d5c68dd5f704f1bf2

Good lord. If Russ doesn't make us better immediately why in the world would we trade for him.

[cedric76]

Read on Twitter

Notes
-Lowe says there's only 4-5 teams where it wouldn't be crazy for them to trade for Westbrook and the Magic are one of them.
-Clark wants Westbrook. Doesn't necessarily think Westbrook would want to come, but he's all for it.
-Dan Devine suggested Gordon-Ennis-Fultz for Westbrook on Twitter and Magic fans gave him hell over it.
-Clark says the Magic are begging for an all-star.
-Clark thinks Weltman and Hammond are much better than Hennigan, but both regimes have fallen victim to the idea that shooting and scoring can be developed over time.
-Lowe says the Magic have no timeline and are on the "escalator to nowhere".
-Lowe says the challenge for the Magic acquiring Westbrook is being able to field a competitive team around Russ given how much money they would need to send out.
-Lowe says it wouldn't make sense to send out Fournier and Gordon and a third contract because the Magic wouldn't have enough pieces left to play with Westbrook.
-Clark and Lowe both agree the Magic need a significant shakeup.
-Lowe asks if Westbrook makes the Magic any better than the 8 seed. Clark says maybe not next year, but with a healthy Isaac they would be a higher seed.

Listen Here: https://dcs.megaphone.fm/ESP4792600374.mp3?key=853ceb6bdca9916d5c68dd5f704f1bf2

Good lord. If Russ doesn't make us better immediately why in the world would we trade for him.

I can't see us making a trade for westbrook, it would be too short sighted

[drsd]

Trivia questions whilst we wait five-more days. Please do not look up the answers.

1) Orlando's most games played list is i) Nick Anderson-692, ii) Jameer Nelson-651, iii) Dwight Howard-621, and iv) Nikola Vučević-547. Who is next at #5 with 513 games played?

2) What Magician has the most 2-point FG attempts at 7278?

3) Dwight Howard-1344 and Shaquille O'Neal-824 lead the Magic in blocks. Who is third at 536?

4) Who leads the Magic in total triple doubles?

And an easier one:
5) Who leads the Magic in minutes per game?




..

[Knightro]

Let's get weird...

-Trade Evan Fournier, Markelle Fultz, Al-Farouq Aminu for Russell Westbrook
-Draft Aaron Nesmith at 15 (I don't like him, but you need shooters with Westbrook)
-Draft Tre Jones at 45
-Resign MCW for the veteran minimum
-Sign Justin Holiday for some of the MLE (again shooters)

G: Westbrook, MCW, Jones
G: Holiday, Nesmith
F: Ross, Ennis, Iwundu
F: Gordon, Okeke, Clark
C: Vucevic, Bamba, Birch

IR: Isaac

The Magic could spam 1/5 pick and rolls with Westbrook and Vucevic with two shooters on the floor at all times (Nesmith, Holiday, Ross, Okeke, even Clark) and then one cutter (MCW, Gordon, Ennis, Iwundu).

Contender? No. More interesting than last year? Definitely.