Leaderboard

This is basically a no risk move for us. No impact on long term cap, we still have plenty of space. Can trade Bamba at some point if there's a market for him. Less exciting than a new face but reasonable.

It’s hard not to respect Cole’s leadership and initiative here. Good for him. I’ve wanted to trade him, but it looks like I just need to hope he improves this year.

I’d still prefer Fultz starting as he’s a more natural PG and facilitator. Anthony running our second unit would give him more leeway to be the score first guard that he is.

Easy answer …culture and losing/tanking

Bringing back Bamba was a no brainer. When we drafted him he was always gonna be a long term project, can’t give up now. Really believe he will get better and better. Could still be an absolute force very soon.

The morning shift is just me reading a bunch of stuff from the night and commenting like 14 comments in a row while nobody else is online lol

Simons has signed an extension with Portland.

Sign me up

I hate the fact that we’re a young team and makes close to zero sense to trade for KD. One of my all time favorite players

Ah gotcha my bad I misread your post. I’d definitely look at Curry or Harris. I’d say Nic Claxton as well if we don’t sign Hartenstein or resign Bamba.

Yeah and I just don’t know who would add him. What if he’s traded back to Oklahoma City haha

I liked the guy at the beginning of his career, but he has an ego like no other (even Lebron) and is not worth the headache. I don’t think he’s ever going to win another championship, and those two in GS in my mind have asterisks.

I’d trade Isaac and Ross for a S&T Anfernee. Then go get Hartenstein. Doesn’t really affect our cap flexibility, gives us a young core who’s oldest players are like 24

I’d be shocked if we didn’t bring back Moe. Kids earned a seat on the bench and is a depth piece and occasional spark plug. Seems to genuinely want to be here too.

I think shooting is the only thing Bamba is better at and I don't think his shooting is so impactful that it outweighs all the other stuff he's not that good at.

And guys I’m not trying to be a Debbie Downer …but I keep reading posts about our culture and leadership from various players …we have the worst record in the league since Howard left …how do we have a great culture and great leadership knowing this ? I wanna win some dam games …this Magic product has not even been watchable the last few years . And just to keep it completely real I’m trying to decide if I wanna be a season ticket holder again …but jeez only if we’re trying to be competitive and not throwing stupid lineups out at end of games …at least attempting to get back in the playoff hunt .

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CfaNUUEp2a1/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Cole and Paolo working out together. Cole looks so smooth

If we give Bamba the qualifying offer he's got like a 22 million cap hold until he signs a new deal (and the qualifying offer is like a 10+ million 1 year deal if he signs it). If we don't think Bamba is worth a deal over 10 million it doesn't make sense to offer him the qualifying offer both for the value of it and for the cap space it eats up until the contract is signed. The reported Hartenstein number is like 8 million a year (but we'll see both if that happens and what the number ends up being). And in my opinion Hartenstein is a better player than Bamba.

Guys…. I think I want Simons

For as much as I hate Cole's general game (streaky, hero ball, ball movement goes to die), the guy is really good at building excitement and fun amongst teammates. Never bad having a great "culture guy" as long as he humbly embraces the role he's given by the team (in my mind, 6th man).

If true, this makes me think much better of RJ, both as someone who is hungry and who is a leader. I’m not big on RJ - I think he has a low BBIQ and got by most of his career on great athleticism. I still don’t know if he’s in the league in 3 years, but this is much better news than my assumption of “no one play summer league except RJ… we need you to get more reps.” Perhaps he’s spinning it that way but that was my natural assumption when I saw the roster.

Strap in! Multiple ships coming!

Apparently RJ asked to play in Summer League so he could get more reps and connect with the rookies. Good for him for putting in the work to improve his game over the summer. https://instagram.com/stories/orlandomagichq/2871426569986760117?utm_source=ig_story_item_share&igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

I think he’s out of position also, but slightly different take. I think he’s a G-league player, playing out of position in the NBA.