TrueBlueDrew

^^^^ Not saying he loses his minutes this season or even next season. But if we have to be patient with Bamba, then why not have Vuc continue to thrive in Cliffords system if he is willing to work on his weaknesses like defense. At his age, he may not be able to improve by leaps and bounds, but at least to a point where he isn't a liability. I think it's the smart move personally.

I think the quality of players Utah offer are better than what we can offer outside of Fournier/Vuc. Because I don't think Memphis will give him away and neither do I think they want to send him into a bad situation because they respect what he has done in the past for their franchise. What would be your offer? I know you've said it before, I just can't remember what it was.

I agree. I wonder how much of Vuc's play is connected to contract year or thriving under Cliffords system. I saw somewhere on Twitter that Vuc has apparently said before that he would be willing to take less money to stay with the Magic because he likes it so much here. If that is true (of course you say a lot of positive things in a contract year) I'm finding it harder and harder to trade him. If he is willing to accept a role change (split with Bamba and eventually back him up) and take less money. Why would we just casually discard him? If he continues to develop and grow his game, I'd love to see him stay and commit to building something here.

Just saw this trade offer (not official, just an idea) Clippers: SGA, Gortat, Harrell, Heat 1st rd pick, and multiple of their own Pelicans: Davis I vote we jump in on this and see if we can snag someone: Clippers get: Davis + Hill Magic get: SGA Pelicans get: Fournier, Gortat, Harrell, Teodosic, Thornwell, and multiple picks.

Can we? Without giving up BIG? I mean, if they wanted to replace Gasol with Vuc. We could trade Fournier + Vuc for Conley. Salaries match but I don't know if Memphis is that interested in that. They do have A LOT of SF/PF so maybe they need some shooting.

Jazz offer Rubio + Favors + 1st round for Conley. Bet that is accepted.

Is that just a hiring issue? Not having the right development team around our guys? Is that on the head coach? GM? I would think that needs to be one of our top priorities. Any team under a "rebuild", especially one that has been in the top 10 draft picks multiple times, needs to worry about developing those young guys.

Fournier+Simmons+2018 1st rd protected+future 2nd For Danillo Gallinari and SGA what say you?

If you didn't know, I'm a Kentucky fan, so I watch them really closely. Keldon Johnson has been projected to be a top 10 pick but will probably be somewhere in the lottery. PJ Washington has been playing like a lottery pick the last 3 games (avg 22ppg + 10rbg), but he could go anywhere from top 10 to mid second round. Tyler Herro looks like he could be a pretty solid ball player. Pretty good shooter, gets into the lane and finishes at the rim really consistently. The name I think we should keep our eye on if he slips into the 2nd round is Ashton Hagans. He became the starter a few weeks ago. His last 10 games he has put up 11.6 PPG on 50% FG, 3.5 steals pg and 5.6 apg, 3.6 rbg He has been an absolute menace on the defensive end. Jumping in lanes and predicting passes like crazy. His shot isn't there just yet, but he can be a pretty decent facilitator. I don't think any of the first 3 guys will be in our range (maybe Keldon if he keeps improving) for our first pick...I know we need to address the PG/SG spot anyway. But for our second round pick...I think Hagans could be a steal if he is there at #33 or wherever we are.

Hence why he just needs to focus on his shot all off-season. But I think we are seeing the gradual development, especially considering he was injured a lot of his rookie year so he is really just getting his first taste of a full NBA season.

They've literally had 1.5 years. You can't give them that kind of deadline, especially when you consider the mess that they have been trying to clean up since Henny left.

I think Isaac is really starting to get the flow of the game. He's looked good for the last few games. Last 10 games, he's averaged 10 pts, 7 rbs, 2 ast, 1 blk. I think that only grows and grows. He just needs to lock himself in the gym and shoot and shoot and shoot in the off-season. If Vuc is willing to accept a different role, I'm okay with resigning him. If he isn't, try and move Vuc, Fournier, Simmons, Grant for something. Even if we have to throw in a pick. However, I do like that Weltman has said that the Magic will make the right move, not just any move and that they want long-term assets if they're giving up a rotation player. I hope we can find someone to trade with. Ntilikina, Conley, Russell, Rozier, Smith Jr -- those are names that have been circled around for other trades, but I'm not sure how available they are (doubt Smith is moved again)

That's a whole lot of bad decisions and poor judgment in 6 years. Add on top of that Stan Van Gundy (2007-2012) Jacque Vaughn (2012-2015) James Borrego (2015) Scott Skiles (2015-2016) Frank Vogel (2016-2018) Steve Clifford (2018-present) Having the right man at the helm means something...Also have to wonder about... Otis Smith (2005-2012) Rob Hennigan (2012-2017) Matt Lloyd (2017) Jeff Weltman (PBO) /John Hammond (GM) (2017-present) Executives Dan DeVos - Chairman/Governor (2011-present) Alex Martins - CEO - former president and COO (2006-present) Jeff Weltman - President of Basketball Operations (2017-present) John Hammond - General Manager (2017-present) Matt Lloyd - Assistant GM (2012-present) <-- our college scout Pete D'Alessandro - Assistant GM (2017-present) Jim Fritz - CFO (1995-present) Pat Williams - (1996-present) More here if you're really interested Owners DeVos family I really wonder what type of influence DeVos and Martins are having these days. I know they were really involved with the Dwight saga and Skiles...but haven't heard much of them since Weltman/Hammond joined. Would the Magic be benefited by a shake up in our Executive Branch?

Also, here is a breakdown on the head coaches. Pretty interesting if you ask me East Bucks -- 37-13 (Head Coach: Mike Budenholzer -- 5 sesaons) Raptors -- 37-16 (Head Coach: Nick Nurse -- Rookie) 76ers -- 34-18 (Head Coach: Brett Brown -- 5 seasons) Pacers -- 32-19 (Head Coach: Nate McMillan -- 14 seasons) Celtics -- 32-19 (Head Coach: Brad Stevens -- 5 seasons) Nets -- 28-25 (Head Coach: Kenny Atkinson -- 2 seasons) Heat -- 24-25 (Head Coach: Erik Spoelstra -- 10 seasons) Hornets -- 24-26 (Head Coach: James Borrego -- 2 seasons) Pistons -- 22-28 (Head Coach: Dwane Casey -- 9 seasons) Wizards -- 22-29 (Head Coach: Scott Brooks -- 9 seasons) Magic -- 21-31 (Head Coach: Steve Clifford -- 5 seasons) Hawks -- 16-34 (Head Coach: Lloyd Pierce -- Rookie) Bulls -- 12-40 (Head Coach: Jim Boylen -- Rookie) Cavaliers -- 11-41 (Head Coach: Larry Drew -- 4 seasons) Knicks -- 10-40 (Head Coach: David Fizdale -- 2 seasons) West Warriors -- 36-15 (Head Coach: Steve Kerr -- 4 seasons) Nuggets -- 35-15 (Head Coach: Michael Malone -- 5 seasons) Thunder -- 32-18 (Head Coach: Billy Donovan -- 3 seasons) Trailblazers -- 32-20 (Head Coach: Terry Scotts -- 10 seasons) Spurs -- 31-22 (Head Coach: Gregg Popovich -- 22 seasons) Rockets -- 29-21 (Head Coach: Mike D'Antoni -- 14 seasons) Jazz -- 29-23 (Head Coach: Quin Snyder -- 4 seasons) Clippers -- 28-24 (Head Coach: Doc Rivers -- 19 seasons) Lakers -- 27-25 (Head Coach: Luke Walton -- 2 seasons) Kings -- 26-25 (Head Coach: Dave Joerger -- 5 seasons) Timberwolves -- 25-26 (Head Coach: Ryan Saunders -- Rookie) Mavericks -- 23-28 (Head Coach: Rick Carlisle -- 16 seasons) Pelicans -- 23-29 (Head Coach: Alvin Gentry -- 15 seasons) Grizzlies -- 20-32 (Head Coach: Jerry Bickerstaff -- 2 seasons) Suns -- 11-42 (Head Coach: Igor Kokoskov -- Rookie)

I was just looking at Trade Machine. Is it a player option? It says 2 years left. I honestly didn't do much research past that.

I think it is pretty crazy to look at the NBA standings. In the East -- the 7th team has a losing record. You have to go to the 11th spot to find a losing record in the West and Minnesota won't be there for long. The Magic are 21-31. That would put them one game ahead of the Grizzlies for 3rd worst in the West. The talent difference between the conferences never ceases to amaze me.

I'm just saying...he'd probably put us in the playoffs haha he has 2-3 years left on his contract. So, who knows. Maybe.... just maybe he could bring in another stud at SG or Brown develops into one.

So... Vuc and Fournier for Kyrie and Brown? Throw in the OKC pick just to make it fun

I don't think that is the case. They know that we desperately need a PG. There have been multiple reports of the Magic asking about a few around the league. If the deadline comes and goes and they haven't done anything to address the PG spot, I'll be shocked. I think the real question is Vuc. What will they do with him? I think as well as Ross is playing, I'll be surprised if Fournier is on the team past the deadline too.

This is Khris Middleton -- we need more of this on the smaller market teams.

I know I'm throwing everyone back a few pages... but with that proposed Laker/Pelican/Magic deal...I'd make one change. I wouldn't mind the Magic acquiring Lonzo + Darius Miller. We need additional scoring help on the bench. I'd love to see him and Ross come off the bench with some fire in their belly. Lonzo/DJ/Briscoe Fournier/Ross Isaac/Miller/Frazier Gordon/Martin Vuc/Bamba/Birch I'm happier with that team to be honest. If you move Fournier + Grant for a shooting guard or Vuc + Fournier for an some kind of superstar if possible. I think you start to see some potential there.

Also I'll through this out there... If we trade Vucevic...who wants him? The Clippers? Celtics? Lakers? Spurs? Kings? Those are all teams I've seem rumors about, however unlikely those rumors are. I just don't know what type of value we'd get back for him. I'd love to see Tobias Harris back in a Magic Uni but I don't think they'd want to part with him or SGA. The Lakers are going to be all in for Davis, unless we can hop in and trade Fournier for Ball and other pieces to help the Lakers get AD. Spurs would probably dump Pau on us nothing else really excites me on their team outside of their big names. Kings? I wouldn't know what type of offer they'd give... Vuc/Grant for Maclemore/Yogi/Bogdanovic?

I wasn't. I'm just saying you finally get a player who is worth something and then they traded him. While I agree, Vuc is slow, bad in the PNR, and an overall liability on defense...I think he's done well under Clifford (which I am sure being a contract year has its own motivation too) and at least worthy of a fresh look. Would the Magic really be THAT bad if they resigned him on a 3+1 contract and as soon as Bamba overtakes him for the 5 spot, Vuc becomes the backup and if he complains, we trade him then. I think you can have a 1-2 punch with Bamba and Vuc...each one can help the other in their areas of weakness -- offense for Bamba and defense for Vuc. I don't know if he'd be willing to come off the bench at some point though, would that change people's mind about him if he was willing to take a lesser role and help out our bench play?

I don't know. I think you have to consider what it looks like to other orgs. I understand he was literally the last one added on but he's still considered one of the best players this season. I think that carries weight in the minds of other players. I mean, in a bigger way, I think you can compare this to NYK. They finally get Porzingis, a player worth building around...and they trade him for a player they passed on in the draft to clear cap space for 2 max contracts in the summer. There is a reason people think the Knicks Front Office are a joke. There is a reason why players aren't flocking to go to NY. How you treat players means something to others.

So someone explain this to me... How do the Magic who are already struggling to appear like a competent organization and front office... How do they survive the embarrassment of finally having an All-Star post Dwight...but then we trade him? I know I said we should resign him while Bamba is developed...but I think this question needs to be considered more than just saying "trade him to make room for Bamba."