Official Speculation Thread ‘18-19’: XIX: Rise of the BIG

[Catledge]

I have a very clear memory of everybody persuasively declaring that Wiggins and Parker would be sure-fire superstars before they were drafted. There were disagreements about which would be better, but very few people doubted that they would be stars. The consensus on this was so strong that I believed it must be true. Obviously, everybody was wrong.

My point is that I think it would be a mistake to make long-term strategic decisions based on our assessments of players about whom we know even less than we knew (or thought we knew) about Wiggins and Parker when they were drafted.

[Knightro]

This is why I am very happy we got AG back on a tradable deal. I still think he and Vuc could be key pieces in a trade for us - if a major piece is available at the deadline.

I'm with you here.

The only core players are Isaac and Bamba. Everyone else is very expendable.

I would very quietly be shopping Gordon hard. Pretty much starting now.

[Knightro]

Just thinking out loud here...

Would you guys do Aaron Gordon and Jonathon Simmons to Phoenix for Ryan Anderson and Josh Jackson (or Mikal Bridges) and a 1st?

[PennytoShaq]

I think that would be a downgrade for us. Josh Jackson is not as good as AG, and Anderson is far too slow to be effective for us. The first is the only intriguing part there.

I also think if we only got those pieces back, the general fan base would probably set the arena on fire.

[Optimus_Steel]

Just thinking out loud here...

Would you guys do Aaron Gordon and Jonathon Simmons to Phoenix for Ryan Anderson and Josh Jackson (or Mikal Bridges) and a 1st?

I wouldn't do it because we need guards.

[OrlandO]

Just thinking out loud here...

Would you guys do Aaron Gordon and Jonathon Simmons to Phoenix for Ryan Anderson and Josh Jackson (or Mikal Bridges) and a 1st?

Neither of those players are appealing to me. That pick would have to be unprotected for me to even entertain it, and I'd want to wait until summer to make the trade to make sure it's a great pick.

[fklt]

I have a very clear memory of everybody persuasively declaring that Wiggins and Parker would be sure-fire superstars before they were drafted. There were disagreements about which would be better, but very few people doubted that they would be stars. The consensus on this was so strong that I believed it must be true. Obviously, everybody was wrong.

My point is that I think it would be a mistake to make long-term strategic decisions based on our assessments of players about whom we know even less than we knew (or thought we knew) about Wiggins and Parker when they were drafted.

i will never let a chance to brag about the fact that i've rated embiid, gordon, and smart higher (in that order) than parker and wiggins back then go. i was mocked pretty heavily back then for my big board, and to this day i'm pretty proud of it. sorry for hijacking your post

[GatorbaitDD]

We need a guard. No more excuses. It needs to get done before we waste Bamba's development year. It pains me, but we should evaluate what the return is for AG at the deadline. Isaac and Bamba is a front court you can actually compete with. But they will never reach their potential without a clear cut lead guard to help them get into their spots.

[swarlesbarkley]

Aaron Gordon + DJ Augustine for Kemba Walker + Marvin Williams

Charlotte gets something for an expiring Kemba who's about to walk anyway and Orlando takes a chance on Kemba staying since we traded for him (aka the Paul George effect).

Probably the only way we'll get a decent free agent right now. Plus, we're not really sure how much WeHam likes Gordon... they might be looking for a way to cut him loose.

[Tarheel]

If the 1st is a 2019 unprotected, then probably. I think Josh Jackson fits better with JI and the first would be very high.

You then have 2 lottery picks and subsequent shots at Barrett/Langford/Reddish et al, which locks down your core at positions 2-5, while maintaining the capspace to maneuver into a starting PG (either via trade or FA). If the chips fall correctly, that trade could lock us into a highly cost-controlled core starting 5 by the end of next summer, with Ryno & Fournier coming off the books the year after.

I don't think our FO would pull the trigger though as it would effectively be an acceptance that we're punting the 18/19 season.

[Knightro]

I understand the Magic need a guard, but more than a guard they need elite talent regardless of position.

Getting Phoenix's unprotected or very lightly protected 2019 first in a deal Gordon is an absolute home run.

As far as the rest of the deal, Anderson is nothing more than salary filler and Jackson or Bridges are just young guys on rookie contracts.

It's all about having as many chances as possible to add young, elite talent. Getting another lotto pick and adding a former lotto pick still early on a rookie deal seems like an ideal return for a guy like Gordon even if the players don't necessarily play the positions the Magic really need most right now.

[Knightro]

Aaron Gordon + DJ Augustine for Kemba Walker + Marvin Williams

Charlotte gets something for an expiring Kemba who's about to walk anyway and Orlando takes a chance on Kemba staying since we traded for him (aka the Paul George effect).

Probably the only way we'll get a decent free agent right now. Plus, we're not really sure how much WeHam likes Gordon... they might be looking for a way to cut him loose.

I would definitely do this, but I don't think Charlotte would even consider it unless their season completely fell apart before the deadline and even then I think they'd just roll into free agency looking to keep Kemba.

[Tarheel]

Also, we all know we need a guard. That doesn't mean that we shouldn't take opportunities to improve the team in other areas if they arise.

[YosemiteSam]

Just thinking out loud here...

Would you guys do Aaron Gordon and Jonathon Simmons to Phoenix for Ryan Anderson and Josh Jackson (or Mikal Bridges) and a 1st?

I wouldn't do it because we need guards.

Agree - though we do need dynamic wings I think those are more available in the draft - if we trade AG I really hope for a PG in return - don't want to risk a PG coming available in the draft

[OrlandO]

I understand the Magic need a guard, but more than a guard they need elite talent regardless of position.

Getting Phoenix's unprotected or very lightly protected 2019 first in a deal Gordon is an absolute home run.

As far as the rest of the deal, Anderson is nothing more than salary filler and Jackson or Bridges are just young guys on rookie contracts.

It's all about having as many chances as possible to add young, elite talent. Getting another lotto pick and adding a former lotto pick still early on a rookie deal seems like an ideal return for a guy like Gordon even if the players don't necessarily play the positions the Magic really need most right now.

But it depends when such a trade would go down. You have to ask yourself what Booker, Ayton and AG can do together. AG with two star scorers could be deadly. What we don't need is to make a trade early and then that Suns team clicks and wins 30 or more games.

[swarlesbarkley]

Aaron Gordon + DJ Augustine for Kemba Walker + Marvin Williams

Charlotte gets something for an expiring Kemba who's about to walk anyway and Orlando takes a chance on Kemba staying since we traded for him (aka the Paul George effect).

Probably the only way we'll get a decent free agent right now. Plus, we're not really sure how much WeHam likes Gordon... they might be looking for a way to cut him loose.

I would definitely do this, but I don't think Charlotte would even consider it unless their season completely fell apart before the deadline and even then I think they'd just roll into free agency looking to keep Kemba.

Yeah it's definitely based on the thought that Kemba tells them he's not going to return. Right now it seems the general consensus ::salute:: is that Kemba is leaving but it all depends on the internal conversations.

[PennytoShaq]

I thought I read somewhere that Kemba is expected to stay? I guess there is no sure answer right now.

[Knightro]

But it depends when such a trade would go down. You have to ask yourself what Booker, Ayton and AG can do together. AG with two star scorers could be deadly. What we don't need is to make a trade early and then that Suns team clicks and wins 30 games.

That's what makes it fun

Trades involving picks are always going to have an element of the unknown in them.

If you do that deal sooner than later, the Suns are probably more likely to make the pick unprotected or very lightly protected since they will get 60+ games of Gordon this year.

The longer you wait... say you wait until the deadline and they're already dead in the water. They'd only going get like 25 games of Gordon this year at that point, the odds of them giving up their unprotected pick are basically zero.

[PennytoShaq]

The Suns are definitely a team who would value Gordon. I would ask for TJ Warren though. He has improved his 3 point shooting a lot and works as a SF.

Here is the trade I would offer:

AG plus Vuc for TJ Warren, Mikal Bridges and Tyson Chandler

I also love Warren’s contract. If he continues to improve as a shooter, he is a legit SF for our team. Also taking a chance on a guy like Bridges is totally worth it for the Magic, imo.

[rcklsscognition]

Why would anyone want Gordon though? What is the appeal? We screwed him up and they can fix him? What GM is going to look at him and say, "that's exactly what we need!"?