New Guy

If it has to be Houston...I would love the idea of doing a trade swap (best) with our first round pick and Houston’s in this upcoming draft. it would greatly improve our odds of getting the number one overall pick...and thus...Cade Cunningham.

They better be rockets picks and not nets picks lol.

Lol 8 straight losses...and then like 10 straight playoff teams after this knicks game tonight. yerp...playoff bound. Sounds legit. Lol.

I think comparatively...probably somewhere between Dillon Brooks’ contract which is about $11.6 annually and Malik Beasley which is about $15 million. Trent Jr is going to get you 20+ PPG where he can be more of a focal point offensively. He was eligible for a four year ; $54 million extension...so he’s going to be seeking more than that after betting on himself this season. So you figure that would’ve been $13.5 million

If Gary Trent Jr could be had in a deal...it’s an absolute no brainer, or it should be. Rodney Hood’s contract, Zach Collins expiring, and Gary Trent Jr for Aaron Gordon works financially. They’d probably lose him to FA next year anyway. He’s going to receive a big deal from someone, he’s playing outstanding. and honestly...they don’t even need him. With CJ McCollum returning, Anfernee Simmons potential, and still have Derrick Jones in the fold as well. Trent Jr gives you all of Fournier’s scoring output but with a much much higher ceiling as a go to scorer with a real mean streak to him. If that deal is out there...you have to make it.

He’s a massive headcase. But he’s gonna be special if he doesn’t go off the deep end

I’m gonna be so mad if we get Rubio. It’s not even an expiring contract. Why on earth would we want Rubio, Dwight Powell, or Bol Bol? ugh.

If the blazers are serious, the conversation needs to start with Gary Trent Jr or at least to a lesser extent, Anfreenee Simons. hearing names like Powell, Rubio, or Bol Bol is just depressing

A Gordon for Levert swap would have been lovely, in hindsight. Levert was blowing up this year before the tumor news. Great to see him back now with no real restrictions. Getting excited hearing all the Gordon talk. I just hope they don’t mess it up. I don’t want just cap relief and future “draft capital”. I want some damn young talent back. Haha.

Pistons traded for Hamidou Diallo. Didn’t even know he was available and it didn’t cost much. Would have loved him on Orlando. Potential, potential, potential. Sigh.

Sitting at the top end of the east? That sounds more than a little farfetched. I don’t see how you can have such optimism. There are so many question marks for this team next season. Markelle more than likely won’t even be ready for the start of the year and will be closely monitored and on a minute restriction following major knee surgery whenever he even returns, Isaac has a much better shot of being ready early...but certainly going to be eased back into things before starting again and again, minute restriction for sure. Unless Orlando does the unthinkable...and re-ups Fournier...who even is our starting two guard next season? Birch is also a free agent. Even before the injuries this year, Orlando has been trending downward for the last couple of seasons...while a plethora of teams in the east have gotten younger and more athletic and are currently battling it out for the rest of those playoff spots. Realistically when healthy, this teams peak has got to be what? A 6th seed at best? Orlando in no shape or form has the makeup to be seen in the same class as say Brooklyn, Philly, Boston, or even Miami...who has playoff pedigree, two all-star caliber players and cap space to burn. Orlando is pretty much in no mans land right now. The front office doesn’t want to commit to a rebuild. But winning now is going to be difficult as well...when your two young building blocks are facing slow methodical returns and you’re already struggling to compete/score as it is and about to lose your second leading scorer to free agency. (I don’t like Fournier and don’t want him back...but in any case...still leaves an obvious hole at SG)

Oh and please no on another Fournier deal. That’s one of my biggest fears right now.

I was def in the excited Nesmith was still on the board one pick away from ours camp. I like Cole, but I never wanted him. Nesmith was my guy. So potentially acquiring him for Ross would be welcomed from me. As far as that deal...it makes sense. But Ross is a little undervalued, imo. I’d be nice to add another young piece to Nesmith. But Orlando could do worse than Nesmith and cap relief for Ross...who really has no place on a team as bad as Orlando. He’s a wonderful trade chip for playoff teams in need of a scoring punch.

Michael Porter Jr seems untouchable these days. He looks like he’s gonna be a big part of their future.

Orlando has something like 14 straight games against currently positioned playoff teams, as soon as the league starts up again. pretty much in a prime spot to convince this front office to be sellers. I’ll believe it when I see it, but I’m personally so primed for a rebuild.

And if I’m trading Ross to the Nuggets. They better pony up some kind of combo of Dozier, Hampton, or Nnaji.

Spurs would def be the most intriguing. No thanks on Tyler Herro being the face of the magic. Bleh. He’d obviously be the primary return chip. Spurs have drafted very well and are loaded with prospects... at least if you shipped him there you can shed Vooch’s contract quicker by absorbing Aldridge’s expiring deal. Even Buy him out. Then net some kind of combo of Walker Jr, Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Trey Lyles, Luka Samantic, Jakob Poeltl. They have a deep young talent pool.

And Minnesota absolutely has more talent than Orlando. Has it amounted to wins? No. But seriously? KAT when healthy is a 25 and 11 player in his mid 20s. D-Lo is an all-star guard...who is literally far and away more talented than any player on Orlando. Beasley same case. and Edwards is a Dwayne Wade starter kit...who again...is more talented/gifted than any player on our team. Indivisual talent...they have a lot more than Orlando and it’s not even close. to say otherwise is blatant homerism. Teams can be incredibly talented and still lose games. The Bulls are absolutely loaded with talent and they’re in the same boat. They may be losing...But who is in better shape for the future? It ain’t us. Orlando’s cupboard is absolutely bare...outside of guys like Fultz, Isaac, and Cole. Jury is still out on what Chuma can do and we won’t even talk about Mo.

How is their front office tanking? They had legitimate injuries to Russell and KAT. And had continued to play Beasley who was breaking out, opposed to Edwards...which would probably equate to more losses initially. that team is uber talented. They’re just incredibly young and have had some bad breaks this year. It’s completely feasible that healthy, they can certainly finish better than last. Not light the league ablaze....but win some games. They legitimately have three players capable of playing at an all-star level right now, and last years top pick, getting by on pure athleticism. They could right the ship...a bit. And orlando needs to just stop the charade. Going into this season...the teams ceiling was probably no better than a 7th seed, and that’s fully healthy. Im thankful for all of Voochs work and accolades but the full rebuild needs to be embraced...not remain with the status quo and add an “all-star caliber” rookie to that mix. orlando is in for a couple rough years ahead...and Vooch’s trade value has never been higher. Big time rookie or not...that one player will not change the entire landscape of the franchise. At least as far as this team being truly competitive within the next few years with Vooch. This team desperately needs a clean slate. Obviously this includes the likes of Fultz and Isaac, who the team has identified as key structural cogs in the machine...but even these two aren’t going to just be good to go next year. Major surgery, difficult rehabilitation. Isaac May be ready early on but will be eased back in...Fultz May not even be ready until a couple months deep and again minute restriction. It would equate to another wasted year of Vooch’s golden years, which will probably see a steep decline sooner than later, as he progresses into his 30s. now all that said....I highly doubt Orlando trades Vooch any time soon, which would be a mistake

As far as Jaylen Green...the 3 point ball lacks consistency, but it’s terrence Ross quick at times. He doesn’t need much space to sink it and it’s incredibly high arcing. His athleticism really pops off the screen. Jaylen Brown comps are mentioned with regularity. He’s an exciting talent and he has an array of moves to beat you, and he’s a very creative finisher at the basket as well. He does have that perennial all-star, leading/go to scorer ceiling. Cade is much more methodical in his approach and his offensive game is extremely well rounded. Admittedly he does look a little slower at times or average-ish as far as foot speed...but it’s not a detriment to his game. It’s kind of like when you see Durant, set up his opponent. Despite the quality of defense, they make the hard ones look easy. Doesn’t need much room to get the look he wants, but can easily create his own offense. Cades offensive game is impressive and polished in all facets. He looks like a seasoned professional against college ball players.

Don’t get me wrong...they’re terrible. But it doesn’t really make sense for them to be THIS terrible, with all their talent. I really do think the smart money is on them winning enough not to have the worst record. Orlando has a horrendous stretch coming up where they may easily reel off like 8-10 straight losses or worse. I haven’t peaked in a minute, but it’s like a 10 game stretch against all playoff teams...and then a couple “winnable games” and then more bleh. Lol

Minnesota isn’t “tanking”, so their pick and team success don’t really coincide at all. They’re trying to win games...none of those players care if that pick stays with them or goes to golden state. Game in and game out their best players are on the floor. Talent wise...they’re actually pretty loaded. I really don’t see them finishing in the basement when they have the likes of two all-stars, the number one overall pick out there, and get Beasley back. The math doesn’t add up. That team is more talented than ours on an individual talent level...they just have to learn to play cohesively. From a pure talent level...they’re def a notch above the likes of Orlando, Cleveland, and Detroit.

Buddy Hield will be 29 next season. Obviously that’s not incredibly up there or anything, but I don’t know if he’d be on the same plain of development...if the plan would be to build around guys in their early 20s...ala Fultz, Isaac, Cole, and probably a top 5 pick.

In hindsight I wonder if Orlando could have had the opportunity to land Gary Trent Jr or Anfreenee Simons when they were dangling Gordon to Portland. i would kill for a skilled two guard with a nice ceiling.

I really doubt Orlando deals Vooch this year...but if they did....the two teams you keep hearing are Boston and Charlotte. Bleh. Boston literally has nothing I would want in return. And any picks you get from these guys are going to be damn near useless in the late 20s probably with Vooch in the fold. at the very least in charlottes case...you can build something around Miles Bridges, PJ Washington (who just scored 42points in a start), and picks that could still potentially be of value. Maybe even ask for Malik Monk or something. still not super ideal or anything tho. Now if the Knicks called with Barrett and Toppin...I may listen. Lol.