The PAOLO effect...on our roster

[Skybox]

If we draft Jabari, he drops right in and shoots from range...he would have been the least disruptive/safest pick. Paolo brings an entirely different impact and, IMO, if we're serious about winning, it brings some roster shakeups too - that I believe will be well worth it. What effect do you think Paolo's placement as our "Alpha" offensive hub will have on each of the prominent Magic players, what roster questions will need to be answered, and what changes will need to be made?

Who will benefit the most...

Who are the guys whose futures here become uncertain suddenly (or specific concerns about fit) ...

Who is your dark horse candidate for Most Improved Player (due to Paolo-related changes)...

What's our FA/trade focus (as a result of the Paolo effect)...

[VFX]

If we draft Jabari, he drops right in and shoots from range...he would have been the least disruptive/safest pick. Paolo brings an entirely different impact and, IMO, if we're serious about winning, it brings some roster shakeups too - that I believe will be well worth it. What effect do you think Paolo's placement as our "Alpha" offensive hub will have on each of the prominent Magic players, what roster questions will need to be answered, and what changes will need to be made?

Who will benefit the most...

Who are the guys whose futures here become uncertain suddenly (or specific concerns about fit) ...

Who is your dark horse candidate for Most Improved Player (due to Paolo-related changes)...

What's our FA/trade focus (as a result of the Paolo effect)...

The primary reason I didn’t think Jabari made sense was due to his lack of ball-handling and playmaking ability. You don’t spend a #1 pick on that guy with the others on the board. Paolo does both of those things very well.

Orlando looks like a taller Celtics team IF everything breaks right. Suggs/Franz/Paolo definitely remind me of a taller version of Smart/Brown/Tatum to a varying degree.

Franz benefits the most here for a number of reasons. The dynamic between the two of them will give Mosely so many more options on offense. Franz won’t be targeted as easily with whoever the better teams defender is going to be locked onto.

In regards to fit I think Cole and Fultz are the odd ones out. Why? Because the ball needs to move between Franz, Paolo, and to whoever is going to be getting open from 3. These two dominate possessions and I think they limit the offense if the ball isn’t moving or they are playing off of it. Neither of them provide much else other than specifically that.

I expect Suggs and Franz to make significant improvements next season regardless of Paolo’s presence, but I truly believe Wendell Carter is going to benefit the most from him. Why? Because Paolo’s favorite target at Duke was a well positioned Mark Williams in the paint. He made a ton of easy short passes to him when he had any kind of pressure on the block. This will lead to a lot of mismatches down low. I’m expecting this pairing to be very beneficial for the offense.

Orlando’s FA focus should be a Shooting guard that can play off the ball at a very high level. Someone that doesn’t need to dominate possessions and can find open shots through movement. Ideally Simons, but I don’t think that is happening. Maybe Trent is this guy?

[fendilim]

Cole Anthony

Catch and shoot 3 - 36%
Off the dribble 3 - 28%

Wagner
37%
33%

Too lazy to check the rest but our top usage guys have leave close to league average numbers as catch and shooters. I think Paolo will give them better open shot.

Suggs is an abysmal 22% and 19% LOL

[p0peye]

a) no positional overlap with Wagner
b) rest is irrelevant

We're sitting pretty.

[swarlesbarkley]

If we draft Jabari, he drops right in and shoots from range...he would have been the least disruptive/safest pick. Paolo brings an entirely different impact and, IMO, if we're serious about winning, it brings some roster shakeups too - that I believe will be well worth it. What effect do you think Paolo's placement as our "Alpha" offensive hub will have on each of the prominent Magic players, what roster questions will need to be answered, and what changes will need to be made?

Who will benefit the most...

Who are the guys whose futures here become uncertain suddenly (or specific concerns about fit) ...

Who is your dark horse candidate for Most Improved Player (due to Paolo-related changes)...

What's our FA/trade focus (as a result of the Paolo effect)...

The primary reason I didn’t think Jabari made sense was due to his lack of ball-handling and playmaking ability. You don’t spend a #1 pick on that guy with the others on the board. Paolo does both of those things very well.

Orlando looks like a taller Celtics team IF everything breaks right. Suggs/Franz/Paolo definitely remind me of a taller version of Smart/Brown/Tatum to a varying degree.

Franz benefits the most here for a number of reasons. The dynamic between the two of them will give Mosely so many more options on offense. Franz won’t be targeted as easily with whoever the better teams defender is going to be locked onto.

In regards to fit I think Cole and Fultz are the odd ones out. Why? Because the ball needs to move between Franz, Paolo, and to whoever is going to be getting open from 3. These two dominate possessions and I think they limit the offense if the ball isn’t moving or they are playing off of it. Neither of them provide much else other than specifically that.

I expect Suggs and Franz to make significant improvements next season regardless of Paolo’s presence, but I truly believe Wendell Carter is going to benefit the most from him. Why? Because Paolo’s favorite target at Duke was a well positioned Mark Williams in the paint. He made a ton of easy short passes to him when he had any kind of pressure on the block. This will lead to a lot of mismatches down low. I’m expecting this pairing to be very beneficial for the offense.

Orlando’s FA focus should be a Shooting guard that can play off the ball at a very high level. Someone that doesn’t need to dominate possessions and can find open shots through movement. Ideally Simons, but I don’t think that is happening. Maybe Trent is this guy?

And WCJ looks to be a much younger Al Horford. We're building a very similar team to the Celtics who just made the finals.

[Skybox]

Who will benefit the most...
-Franz, if they don't step on each other's toes and Franz' demeanor doesn't lead him to defer too much. Together, they could both be all-Stars. Hopefully, it's a true partnership and Franz continues to expand his impact rather than settle in as a passenger.
-I agree that WCJ's unselfish, heady team play will continue to grow and flourish, now catching lobs from two mobile bigs. Hopefully, his 3pt % continues to improve. Last year he showed more willingness to shoot

Who are the guys whose futures here become uncertain suddenly (or specific concerns about fit) ...
-Fultz needs to make spot up shots to round out his game or he has no spot here. He's very good at what he's good at, but now more overlap.
-Suggs...same story. His defense and age give him the long-term nod, but he's got to show more offense this year.
-Cole Anthony...just not enough balls to play the way he did last year. If he can adapt and be more efficient, there's no denying his talent and personality.
At least one of these guys should move on, IMO, and it might be a function of trade value. I don't know that Fultz brings much back.

Who is your dark horse candidate for Most Improved Player (due to Paolo-related changes)...
-the forgotten man, RJ Hampton...if he reins in his game to do just a very few things well...spot up 3's and defend, he could suddenly emerge as the starting 2. His speed with the ball will keep defenses honest on close outs. He's had great shooting spurts, we'll see.
-Chuma, he's not a personality that takes over games, which is now perfect, he just hits open 3's and D's up. He could thrive.

What's our FA/trade focus (as a result of the Paolo effect)...
-Shooters. Ideally, 2/3 good-sized 3 & D guys. Spot up and be a threat to hit 12 3's if the defense doesn't respect you. Young, old, rich, poor...we'll take any of them. My favorites would be young Huerter, Cam Johnson or Devin Vassel (oversized sharpshooting 2's who D) or Kispert, Moody, Nesmith (shooters who just haven't clicked yet). Next tier would be older, overpaid "I'll give you a pick to take my guy" guys -like Hayward, D. Robinson, even Fournier...although a guy like Fournier would have to know his role in the pecking order. I'd begin the FA season with Gary Harris, but I really think we need a few of these guys.

[J the Drafter]

I see redundancy as a good thing. The more players who can make plays the better. I’m certainly not going to ditch those players in the belief that Paolo and Wagner shouldn’t play alongside another ball-handler.

[VFX]

I see redundancy as a good thing. The more players who can make plays the better. I’m certainly not going to ditch those players in the belief that Paolo and Wagner shouldn’t play alongside another ball-handler.

Even if it means giving up other aspects of the game to other players that add more? Like defense, stretching the floor, and making plays off the ball?

[Duke4life831]

For Paolo I cant think of a much better big to share the frontcourt with than WCJ. That is going to be a fun duo to watch. Both are going to give each other good looks with their passing ability. WCJ's defense will be able to cover up Paolo's flaws there until he hopefully improves on that end. Hopefully WCJ continues to show the improvement with the 3 and Paolo continues to improve his 3pt shot as well. They really can be a perfect duo with each other.

Then with Paolo there, Franz will have an easier time on the offensive end and he should probably benefit the most.

[zaymon]

Wendell Carter jr should benefit the most. As MagicMatic said, Paolo is great at hitting the roll man, something Cole Anthony doesnt understand. If Banchero plays with Bamba he could be even bigger winner.
Overall all players should benefit becouse if Banchero hits, that places everyone in their optimal roles.
I am not quite sure how it impacts Suggs if his catch and shoot doesnt improve. He will have one more good target on hit on the drive, and Paolo is adept cutter so there is a chance he also benefits despite losing a bit of spacing with Bamba gone.
The biggest loser is Fultz, becouse he provides nothing off the ball right now, and he is not the best defender.
Second loser is propably Anthony, but he at least has potential as a shooter. He will have to adjust, and he wont have role he wanted but at least there is some place in our rotation for him.
Most improved i would say Carter once more. People just dont realize how good he already was this year. With more winning he will have more eyes watching him (and eyes will be on Banchero)
Our focus is bench center. Bamba is suprisingly back as viable option becouse Banchero need rim protection next to him.
Second focus is shooting guard. Miller is both Banchero and Hampton agent so there is big chance we wont resign Harris to give Hampton more chance. If we believe in him, its basically only backup center

[D12VCMagic]

The guard situation was weird last year when we ended up with Suggs instead of Scottie Barnes, it’s even weirder now with Paolo IMO. The FO has to decide between Suggs and Fultz within the next 12 months, if not sooner, I don’t think they fit together and especially not with a ball dominant forward that would benefit from floor spacing in the mix now. If Suggs can develop an outside shot you would prefer him since he can defend and probably add more off ball value. Problem is he shot the ball so miserably as a rookie that the improvement we need is very far from guaranteed.

Last year’s lottery really stings so bad.

[CZ Eddie]

If Suggs isn't a candidate for "Most Improved Player" with his shooting then he won't be starting for long.
There are some very nice shooting Guard options in the 2023 draft and a couple nice FA/Trade options coming up as well.

[RookieStar]

For Paolo I cant think of a much better big to share the frontcourt with than WCJ. That is going to be a fun duo to watch. Both are going to give each other good looks with their passing ability. WCJ's defense will be able to cover up Paolo's flaws there until he hopefully improves on that end. Hopefully WCJ continues to show the improvement with the 3 and Paolo continues to improve his 3pt shot as well. They really can be a perfect duo with each other.

Then with Paolo there, Franz will have an easier time on the offensive end and he should probably benefit the most.

I agree.

Also, while WCJ won't have the "intimidating" shot blocking presence of M.Williams, he would be a batter offensive threat than him. M.Williams was always only dangerous around the rim, this time Paolo knows he can pass that ball to WCJ in the 3pt line and he can make it.

[RookieStar]

Also, have most if you forgot? Sure, Franz showed incredible development when he could handle the ball and score from a variety of ways, but early in the season he was most dangerous cutting to the basket. With PAolo's ability to direct the offense and make the right pass, I think Franz numbers would go up.

[J the Drafter]

I see redundancy as a good thing. The more players who can make plays the better. I’m certainly not going to ditch those players in the belief that Paolo and Wagner shouldn’t play alongside another ball-handler.

Even if it means giving up other aspects of the game to other players that add more? Like defense, stretching the floor, and making plays off the ball?

Hmm…good point.

Thinking about my thoughts: redundancy is an important engineering concept, and I see no reason why redundancy wouldn’t have some importance to basketball schemes. A team that forces opponents to guard the Paolo-big pnr, the Wagner-big pnr, the Fultz-big pnr and the Cole-big pnr is a tougher cover than a team that only has the Paolo-big and Wagner-big pnr’s at their disposal (for the moment, ignore guard-forward, forward-guard, guard-guard and forward-forward pnr’s). If we surround Paolo and Wagner with perimeter shooters who can’t handle the ball, then foul trouble or injury to either of our forwards cuts the team’s playmaking in half.

I don’t want to overvalue ball-handling. I don’t want to overvalue any one skillset but plenty of people here see the redundancy of having Fultz and Cole as a negative which must be fixed, and I can’t agree.

[VFX]

I see redundancy as a good thing. The more players who can make plays the better. I’m certainly not going to ditch those players in the belief that Paolo and Wagner shouldn’t play alongside another ball-handler.

Even if it means giving up other aspects of the game to other players that add more? Like defense, stretching the floor, and making plays off the ball?

Hmm…good point.

Thinking about my thoughts: redundancy is an important engineering concept, and I see no reason why redundancy wouldn’t have some importance to basketball schemes. A team that forces opponents to guard the Paolo-big pnr, the Wagner-big pnr, the Fultz-big pnr and the Cole-big pnr is a tougher cover than a team that only has the Paolo-big and Wagner-big pnr’s at their disposal (for the moment, ignore guard-forward, forward-guard, guard-guard and forward-forward pnr’s). If we surround Paolo and Wagner with perimeter shooters who can’t handle the ball, then foul trouble or injury to either of our forwards cuts the team’s playmaking in half.

I don’t want to overvalue ball-handling. I don’t want to overvalue any one skillset but plenty of people here see the redundancy of having Fultz and Cole as a negative which must be fixed, and I can’t agree.

I guess the line of thinking with this is that Cole and Fultz skill sets are primarily focused on creating their own shots at volume whether it is successful or not. That’s important for a team that finished second to last in offensive efficiency last season.

Well, Orlando doesn’t really need that as much If Franz and Paolo are getting the majority of touches on offense. If anything, being ancillary scorers that can defend would be way more beneficial. Neither of those guys have shown that ability. Ideally they want to put the best basketball players on the floor.

It’s not so much that having many ball handlers and creators on the floor is a bad thing per se, but it comes at a detriment if those players do nothing else but require the ball to be effective.

The guard spots on this roster will be up for debate moving forward. We are only a few days removed from the draft and people are going to pick sides.

[RookieStar]

What the most important " Paolo Effect" that I want on this roster is the "gravity" he will command IF he fulfills the offensive predictions we anoint him with.

I get nostalgic watching our old D12 era team where every time we throw Dwight the ball inside, the entire opposing teams defensive scheme collapses and we see Hedo, Meer and Shard just camping in the 3pt line wide open.

The same feeling when Curry , Luka , KD, etc has the ball. The gravity they command is something we forgot we used to have. Hopefully Paolo can command that same level.

[thelead]

For Paolo I cant think of a much better big to share the frontcourt with than WCJ. That is going to be a fun duo to watch. Both are going to give each other good looks with their passing ability. WCJ's defense will be able to cover up Paolo's flaws there until he hopefully improves on that end. Hopefully WCJ continues to show the improvement with the 3 and Paolo continues to improve his 3pt shot as well. They really can be a perfect duo with each other.

Then with Paolo there, Franz will have an easier time on the offensive end and he should probably benefit the most.

The front court is certainly set between Paolo, Franz, WCJ, JI, and possibly Bamba if we bring him back.

[Ducklett]

Paolo shot the 3 better during the tournaments against higher level competition. Many of the scouts I have listen to discuss this said this was because bad teams would zero in on him on defense, causing him to shoot bad shots early in the season. Dude was unconscious from 3 in the ACC/Big Dance.

[Skybox]

Last year, I assumed Franz takes another step, and, with increased confidence, approaches 20 ppg…I really hope he can still progress with PB having a similar, but more overpowering game. I really hope their sum is greater than their parts and they don’t marginalize each other.