Magic GM John Hammond - In The Zone: Best of the Best

[cedric76]

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1248-in-the-zone-byte-sized-30599435/episode/magic-gm-john-hammond-84761333/?cmp=web_share&embed=true


Take away

It s 100% on MO to become great, We and the Coaching staff did everything we could

We ll likely keep our 2 picks

Pick BPA with #5
Pick a player that fit our roster with #8

[RookieStar]

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1248-in-the-zone-byte-sized-30599435/episode/magic-gm-john-hammond-84761333/?cmp=web_share&embed=true


Take away

It s 100% on MO to become great, We and the Coaching staff did everything we could

We ll likely keep our 2 picks

Pick BPA with #5
Pick a player that fit our roster with #8

No mention about our SRP? Thats like a 20s pick in any other draft with the quality if pkayers in this batch

[cedric76]

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1248-in-the-zone-byte-sized-30599435/episode/magic-gm-john-hammond-84761333/?cmp=web_share&embed=true


Take away

It s 100% on MO to become great, We and the Coaching staff did everything we could

We ll likely keep our 2 picks

Pick BPA with #5
Pick a player that fit our roster with #8

No mention about our SRP? Thats like a 20s pick in any other draft with the quality if pkayers in this batch

#33 will be traded or draft and stashed

we won't have 3 rookies this year

[jezzerinho]

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1248-in-the-zone-byte-sized-30599435/episode/magic-gm-john-hammond-84761333/?cmp=web_share&embed=true


Take away

It s 100% on MO to become great, We and the Coaching staff did everything we could

We ll likely keep our 2 picks

Pick BPA with #5
Pick a player that fit our roster with #8

No mention about our SRP? Thats like a 20s pick in any other draft with the quality if pkayers in this batch

He was asked specifically about 5 and 8.

I got the impression they were close to done with Bamba, from the tone of his reply. The question gave Hammond every opportunity to be optimistic towards Mo but it came over very clearly that Mo steps up or is gone.

[axl_c_cool]

What did he say about Mo? What time on it is it?

Sent from my SM-G996B using RealGM mobile app

[Bensational]

Well, sounds like Mo is really in the hot seat and time to step up or he’ll be shipped out.

Not loving the ‘positional fit’ talk about pick 8. What position is so secure someone needs to fit in with them? Also didn’t sound like he was in love with the prospects expected at 5, though that might’ve been a poker face. Not a very good one if he wanted to make moves, since he devalued the pick somewhat. I feel like they really wanted Cade or Green. Hopefully enough to move up for them.

I’m expecting Barnes and Wagner, maybe Barnes and Moody. Pure conjecture though.

[Tarheel]

I wouldn't put too much stock in what he says about the draft picks.

Even if they were trying aggressively to trade the picks they wouldn't say so publicly as it would weaken their negotiating position. It would also get the hopes of the fanbase up unnecessarily, leading to disappointment if they don't strike a deal.

[GelbeWand09]

Well, sounds like Mo is really in the hot seat and time to step up or he’ll be shipped out.

Not loving the ‘positional fit’ talk about pick 8. What position is so secure someone needs to fit in with them? Also didn’t sound like he was in love with the prospects expected at 5, though that might’ve been a poker face. Not a very good one if he wanted to make moves, since he devalued the pick somewhat. I feel like they really wanted Cade or Green. Hopefully enough to move up for them.

I’m expecting Barnes and Wagner, maybe Barnes and Moody. Pure conjecture though.

Still hope for Giddey or Sengün @ 8th, but expect Moody or Wagner. Not exciting but still better than gulp... Mitchell or Kispert.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

My Takeaways

Mentions what Trae Young is doing at his size, also says that Atlanta put him in that position EARLY and let him grow into it. Mentions Doncic and says he's more ready but Dallas committed to him and they were a good fit.

Mo Bamba is Mo Bamba's biggest enemy. Sounds like he is LAZY AF and just happy to be here.

Mentions Wendell Carter immediately after which makes me believe they have very high hopes for him & targeted him once Chicago became interested in Vuc.

Absolutely pains him that we dropped to 5th and you can hear it in his voice. 8th pick being somewhat fit is a solid idea and I doubt it's the #1 factor. However looking at who would be available at 8 it's somewhat clear it'll be a WING for sure.

My 2021 Phrase for Orlando will be "Let the kids PLAY"

[Def Swami]

They are for sure ditching Bamba after this year.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

They are for sure ditching Bamba after this year.

got the same feeling as well. He could end up being one of the most rumored trade pieces come ASB if things don't start well.

[Def Swami]

He straight up tells you the Magic draft strategy too. He says they're going for best player on the board at #5 and positional fit at #8. This is going to be a Kuminga vs Barnes discussion. And I think we need everything so I'm not sure how positional fit figures into that. SF seems like a spot of need, so maybe Wagner or Moody prevails there. I'd personally just go for best player available at both picks. That positional fit won't matter unless they hit a home run on one of those picks. And they get 2 swings at it this year.

[RookieStar]

Question : would any FO actually telegraph their moves like that or is it all smokescreen? I mean if we wanted to trade up/down you don't say it ahead to lower the price after all.

[drsd]

Not loving the ‘positional fit’ talk about pick 8.

For me it is about ensuring that #8 is not redundant to #5.

If Orlando drafts Kuminga at 5, I cannot see any value in Barnes, Johnson, or the other Johnson. It would be Moody, Wagner, or Bouknight. I think that is the point being made.

[Bensational]

Not loving the ‘positional fit’ talk about pick 8.

For me it is about ensuring that #8 is not redundant to #5.

If Orlando drafts Kuminga at 5, I cannot see any value in Barnes, Johnson, or the other Johnson. It would be Moody, Wagner, or Bouknight. I think that is the point being made.

See I’d see all those big wing guys being capable of sharing the court together depending on how their games develop. They can defend up and down positions with ease, it would just be the offensive end where they might find themselves with too many unreliable shooters.

I get the feeling they’re thinking about a big wing who could become a permanent 4 if need be, as insurance for Isaac. Or perhaps it’s more skill based than position based and they want more passing/playmaking out of 8?

[p0peye]

What Otis Smith said about Darko seems applicable to Mo as well:

Darko will only be as good as he wants to be.

[JF5]

Lol, my main take away from the Hammond interview is that it seems like they're completely done with Mo.

[SOUL]

Lol, my main take away from the Hammond interview is that it seems like they're completely done with Mo.

I think they just know this is a sink or swim year for him or else they would've traded him. I mean, they still can.

I think there's more regret in being one pick away from trading for Doncic or getting Trae.

[tiderulz]

Not loving the ‘positional fit’ talk about pick 8.

For me it is about ensuring that #8 is not redundant to #5.

If Orlando drafts Kuminga at 5, I cannot see any value in Barnes, Johnson, or the other Johnson. It would be Moody, Wagner, or Bouknight. I think that is the point being made.

See I’d see all those big wing guys being capable of sharing the court together depending on how their games develop. They can defend up and down positions with ease, it would just be the offensive end where they might find themselves with too many unreliable shooters.

I get the feeling they’re thinking about a big wing who could become a permanent 4 if need be, as insurance for Isaac. Or perhaps it’s more skill based than position based and they want more passing/playmaking out of 8?

isnt that kinda what Chuma is?

[CZ Eddie]

Holy crap, we're trading up to draft Evan Mobley.