Free Agent C.... if/when Mo Bamba doesn't stay

[drsd]

Bamba had a solid campaign last year, he looked like he can be a solid backup C or even a starting C in the right spots.

I do not think his on/off numbers or advanced stats support this at all.

Assuming Orlando does "nothing" (i.e let's Bamba walk), M-Wagner will be the primary C backup.
The 3rd string C will be all of what is said above. Isaac, Mr. Rookie, etc. Also, one of the 2W players from the second-rounders is likely to be an emergency Center. John Butler and Jaylin Williams are exemplar considerations. Or, as is discussed ad nauseam elsewhere, a trade of of Ross+32+35 can get Orlando in the range of Walker Kessler. He would be an excellent replacement of Bamba in my opinion.


.

[Skybox]

The only thing that worries me is forgetting WCJ's injury history. He was great last year and the future is bright, but I'm a little concerned about counting on him and, especially, Isaac at that spot. Could be a Top 10 Center rotation or could be Khem Birch coming back and starting 40 games...If we don't do anything more exciting than draft, I hope we take Koloko at #35 and see what he is. Also, if we don't do anything flashier than re-sign Harris with our cap, I really hope we at least SnT Bamba for a little something back...if we just renounce him, there's got to be something brewing, IMO.

[drsd]

The only thing that worries me is forgetting WCJ's injury history. He was great last year and the future is bright, but I'm a little concerned about counting on him and, especially, Isaac at that spot. Could be a Top 10 Center rotation or could be Khem Birch coming back and starting 40 games...If we don't do anything more exciting than draft, I hope we take Koloko at #35 and see what he is. Also, if we don't do anything flashier than re-sign Harris with our cap, I really hope we at least SnT Bamba for a little something back...if we just renounce him, there's got to be something brewing, IMO.

This is interesting:

The Knicks are expected to trade Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel to free up salary.

Orlando could trade Anthony, #32 and #35 for both Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel to get #11. If that is "fair", then that is an interesting path to whipping out the salary line Orlando amassed.

Noel then becomes the 3rd stringer C.

..

[Skybox]

The only thing that worries me is forgetting WCJ's injury history. He was great last year and the future is bright, but I'm a little concerned about counting on him and, especially, Isaac at that spot. Could be a Top 10 Center rotation or could be Khem Birch coming back and starting 40 games...If we don't do anything more exciting than draft, I hope we take Koloko at #35 and see what he is. Also, if we don't do anything flashier than re-sign Harris with our cap, I really hope we at least SnT Bamba for a little something back...if we just renounce him, there's got to be something brewing, IMO.

This is interesting:

The Knicks are expected to trade Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel to free up salary.

Orlando could trade Anthony, #32 and #35 for both Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel to get #11. If that is "fair", then that is an interesting path to whipping out the salary line Orlando amassed.

Noel then becomes the 3rd stringer C.

..

I'd do that in a second, but I'm not sure NY would if Brunson is the target for the cap space...Cole AND Brunson

If they're targeting a different FA, sure...and I don't think the value is that crazy. Cole could be really good if he tightens up his game, we just have too many PG prospects. He was drafted at 15 and has clearly outplayed his spot, IMO.

[cedric76]

The only thing that worries me is forgetting WCJ's injury history. He was great last year and the future is bright, but I'm a little concerned about counting on him and, especially, Isaac at that spot. Could be a Top 10 Center rotation or could be Khem Birch coming back and starting 40 games...If we don't do anything more exciting than draft, I hope we take Koloko at #35 and see what he is. Also, if we don't do anything flashier than re-sign Harris with our cap, I really hope we at least SnT Bamba for a little something back...if we just renounce him, there's got to be something brewing, IMO.

This is interesting:

The Knicks are expected to trade Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel to free up salary.

Orlando could trade Anthony, #32 and #35 for both Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel to get #11. If that is "fair", then that is an interesting path to whipping out the salary line Orlando amassed.

Noel then becomes the 3rd stringer C.

..

You could get that package without using Cole, NY needs to dump contracts



Trade #1

#32 and #35 for Alec Burks + Nerlens Noel+#11

NY uses +11 to dump bad contracts and get under the cap to go after the FA they want + NY gets valuable 2RP

Trade #2

#11 + Cole Anthony for #8 (IF and only IF Mathurin is still available) +#41+ future 2RP

New Orleans need a PG

Keep Noel if we don't retain ROLO


Fultz,suggs,FA vet(V)
Mathurin,suggs,burks(v)
Franz,chuma,ross(V)
JI,smith,moritz,bolbol
WCJ,MO,Noel(V)

[drsd]

The only thing that worries me is forgetting WCJ's injury history. He was great last year and the future is bright, but I'm a little concerned about counting on him and, especially, Isaac at that spot. Could be a Top 10 Center rotation or could be Khem Birch coming back and starting 40 games...If we don't do anything more exciting than draft, I hope we take Koloko at #35 and see what he is. Also, if we don't do anything flashier than re-sign Harris with our cap, I really hope we at least SnT Bamba for a little something back...if we just renounce him, there's got to be something brewing, IMO.

This is interesting:

The Knicks are expected to trade Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel to free up salary.

Orlando could trade Anthony, #32 and #35 for both Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel to get #11. If that is "fair", then that is an interesting path to whipping out the salary line Orlando amassed.

Noel then becomes the 3rd stringer C.

..

You could get that package without using Cole, NY needs to dump contracts



Trade #1

#32 and #35 for Alec Burks + Nerlens Noel+#11

NY uses +11 to dump bad contracts and get under the cap to go after the FA they want + NY gets valuable 2RP

Trade #2

#11 + Cole Anthony for #8 (IF and only IF Mathurin is still available) +#41+ future 2RP

New Orleans need a PG

Keep Noel if we don't retain ROLO


Fultz,suggs,FA vet(V)
Mathurin,suggs,burks(v)
Franz,chuma,ross(V)
JI,smith,moritz,bolbol
WCJ,MO,Noel(V)

Anything that leads to Smith and Mathurin without costing Fultz nor F-Wagner is a great management move!

In 2023/24
Fultz/Mathurin/F-Wagner/Smith/Carter. I am on board that train!



..

[cedric76]

This is interesting:


Orlando could trade Anthony, #32 and #35 for both Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel to get #11. If that is "fair", then that is an interesting path to whipping out the salary line Orlando amassed.

Noel then becomes the 3rd stringer C.

..

You could get that package without using Cole, NY needs to dump contracts



Trade #1

#32 and #35 for Alec Burks + Nerlens Noel+#11

NY uses +11 to dump bad contracts and get under the cap to go after the FA they want + NY gets valuable 2RP

Trade #2

#11 + Cole Anthony for #8 (IF and only IF Mathurin is still available) +#41+ future 2RP

New Orleans need a PG

Keep Noel if we don't retain ROLO


Fultz,suggs,FA vet(V)
Mathurin,suggs,burks(v)
Franz,chuma,ross(V)
JI,smith,moritz,bolbol
WCJ,MO,Noel(V)

Anything that leads to Smith and Mathurin without costing Fultz nor F-Wagner is a great management move!

In 2023/24
Fultz/Mathurin/F-Wagner/Smith/Carter. I am on board that train!



..

This is my thinking exactly

[jonbob17]

The only thing that worries me is forgetting WCJ's injury history. He was great last year and the future is bright, but I'm a little concerned about counting on him and, especially, Isaac at that spot. Could be a Top 10 Center rotation or could be Khem Birch coming back and starting 40 games...If we don't do anything more exciting than draft, I hope we take Koloko at #35 and see what he is. Also, if we don't do anything flashier than re-sign Harris with our cap, I really hope we at least SnT Bamba for a little something back...if we just renounce him, there's got to be something brewing, IMO.

This is interesting:

The Knicks are expected to trade Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel to free up salary.

Orlando could trade Anthony, #32 and #35 for both Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel to get #11. If that is "fair", then that is an interesting path to whipping out the salary line Orlando amassed.

Noel then becomes the 3rd stringer C.

..

You could get that package without using Cole, NY needs to dump contracts



Trade #1

#32 and #35 for Alec Burks + Nerlens Noel+#11

NY uses +11 to dump bad contracts and get under the cap to go after the FA they want + NY gets valuable 2RP

Trade #2



#11 + Cole Anthony for #8 (IF and only IF Mathurin is still available) +#41+ future 2RP

New Orleans need a PG

Keep Noel if we don't retain ROLO


Fultz,suggs,FA vet(V)
Mathurin,suggs,burks(v)
Franz,chuma,ross(V)
JI,smith,moritz,bolbol
WCJ,MO,Noel(V)

Alec Burks was really good this year. And cheap (2/20). Noel is fine but always hurt. (2/18). I guess you could say Noel is a bit negative, depending on how healthy he is at the moment

Regardless we are not getting 11 for taking on these guys on. That's ballpark how much it might cost for the Lakers to dump Westbrook, not that they have it.

If the Knicks were infatuated with Cole, maybe i could see a deal like Cole + our 2nds for 11 and Noel. They'd really have to like Cole, though. Draft picks are worth more than underwhelming players. There is always that hope and unknown.

[Skybox]

Agree...we might snag a late first for helping someone clear enough cap for a big signing, but #11 is worth more. Cole or a future pick, etc might be the bridge.

[fendilim]

Bol bol

[Magic#1]

I would just bring in ROLO. While a guy like Hartenstein would be nice, I'd rather save cap room and try to bring in a bigger fish after a year of development. ROLO + a potential second rounder works for me.

[Skybox]

I LOVE RoLo...but after a year of growth from WCJ, I think the need for RoLo's guidance is not necessary. If we don't have alternatives, I'd be fine with him in the same 3rd spot, but why not use our seconds this time? Koloko from Arizona will very likely be there (or someone from anywhere in the world with an NBA body). I don't know that it's worth the vets minimum for a guy to warm the bench. Moe Wagner can fill the 10th man, tough guy vet role, even at his relatively tender age.

[drsd]

I LOVE RoLo...but after a year of growth from WCJ, I think the need for RoLo's guidance is not necessary. If we don't have alternatives, I'd be fine with him in the same 3rd spot, but why not use our seconds this time? Koloko from Arizona will very likely be there (or someone from anywhere in the world with an NBA body). I don't know that it's worth the vets minimum for a guy to warm the bench. Moe Wagner can fill the 10th man, tough guy vet role, even at his relatively tender age.

At this point, I am hoping for Orlando letting Bamba walk to create a larger role for M-Wagner. i.e. Doing nothing is really OK here for the Magic's depth chart.

..

[Skin]

If there is no plan to sign a stud FA then bring Mo back

[Last Guardian]

I don't mind going with WCJ and Moe Wagner at C. Yes, almost no rim protection, but physical and competitive players who don't back down from anyone. If Isaac is actually around this season, rim protection shouldn't be too much of a problem. I'm with the "find a C in g-league or second round" crowd. Get yourself a 7 footer somewhere and stash him on the bench just in case. Like nick Richards or Neemias Queta type. Yea there is also Bol Bol but despite his height he really has no business playing C. Assuming Jabari is the pick and Isaac is playing:

JSJ/Isaac/Bol Bol
WCJ/M.Wagner/other

[Howard Mass]

At the very least, The Magic should make Mo Bamba a Qualifying Offer to make him a Restricted Free Agent.

If The Magic take Jabari Smith Jr. as expected. that is a Frontcourt of F. Wagner, Smith and Carter with Issac, Okeke and M. Wagner off the bench.

While I would like to have Bamba back, do The Magic want to commit another long-term deal to a frontcourt player with that starting Frontcourt locked in for years?

My hope is they can get him back on a reasonable deal to be the backup center or possibly get something in a sign and trade for him.

Once The Draft ends, the biggest Question Mark shifts to Bamba.

[Skybox]

At the very least, The Magic should make Mo Bamba a Qualifying Offer to make him a Restricted Free Agent.

If The Magic take Jabari Smith Jr. as expected. that is a Frontcourt of F. Wagner, Smith and Carter with Issac, Okeke and M. Wagner off the bench.

While I would like to have Bamba back, do The Magic want to commit another long-term deal to a frontcourt player with that starting Frontcourt locked in for years?

My hope is they can get him back on a reasonable deal to be the backup center or possibly get something in a sign and trade for him.

Once The Draft ends, the biggest Question Mark shifts to Bamba.

Agree...if they straight up renounce him, there had better be a bombshell signing following it (even if at another position). Just asset management 101.