ShefGator2

Jonathan Isaac, T Ross, and two 1st round picks?

Lack of any playoff success in over a decade. DJ Augustin's 3 ptr at Toronto in Game 1 of 2019 playoffs and our Game 1 thumping of the Bucks in 2020 are the only playoff highlights since Dwight left. I think this group will start a playoff run for several years and then the free agents will want to come to O-Town, a la Horace Grant and Rashard Lewis, when we were relevant.

I like this deal a lot. As a back up Center for not a lot of money, He can continue to improve and the relatively small contract gives the Magic some good options

Tobias has career stats of 16/6/2. So, a taller version of Tobias is not a bad thing. But, Jabari is a better, more consistent outside shooter than Tobias has ever been. So, a taller, better shooting Tobias would likely be a perennial All-Star. In a draft where there is no MJ/Shaq/LeBron/sure thing franchise changer, Jabari is a really good option for #1 pick.

With Isaac's repetitive injury issues a real question mark moving forward, I really like the idea of Jabari Smith. He is a true stretch 4 that would make a very good complement to Wendell at the 5 and Franz at the 3. While that frontline would be far from elite defensively, and none are real shot-blocking threats, all three of them are good, sound team defenders. On offense, however, Jabari has qualities that are Kevin Durant-ish. A 6'10" sniper who can fill it up from the 3-point line and would be hard to defend for opposing 4s. There aren't many NBA PFs that possess that type of elite shooting skill set, especially at Jabari's size. There are questions about Jabari's drive skills, but I believe he didn't rely on his athleticism at Auburn because he could get off his shot so easily in college. If he tests well on athleticism in pre-draft workouts, then ball-fake and drive skills can evolve with coaching and that would make him an even more dangerous scorer IMO.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/263501/Magic-Active-In-Terrence-Ross-Trade-Discussions

I think this would be a really good scenario. Moody can shoot and play D. I think he'd be as good a fit as anyone else we might get at #8 and, in this hypothetical, we get another #1 pick for next year.

While I agree with your premise that veteran players can provide leadership, this particular group of veterans (Vuc, AG, and Fournier) have had the opportunity to lead the team to success for approx 7 years and the best they could muster was a 7 seed and 5 of those 7 years of missing the playoffs. Therefore, getting rid of this particular group of vets is not a bad thing. If Isaac, Ross, and Fultz are not ready to lead the young guys to a winning culture, then the GM can look to bring in a couple of vets who can handle those responsibilities. Either way, I think this path gives the Magic a good chance of rebuilding the team and culture to rise above the decade-long string of topping out at being mediocre.

We got more athletic and ceased the decade-long cycle of being weak to mediocre at best.

The Bulls also have the 7th toughest remaining schedule in the league. http://www.tankathon.com/remaining_schedule_strength Fingers crossed that the Bulls get hammered just enough for the rest of the season to end up with the #5 pick.

Possibly. But, the Bulls are already 24th in points per game allowed, giving up 113.7 PPG. Vuc is not going to help that poor defense. Of course, he should help their scoring which might lead to more wins.

https://twitter.com/LeBatardShow/status/1375111754544463879?s=20

Based on record right now, the Bulls pick would be #9. Add that to our pick (which right now would be #4 based on record), and we could end up with 2 impact players in this supposedly "loaded" draft. Next season, add those 2 picks plus Isaac, Fultz, Okeke, Bamba, and Anthony, and this team could get a lot better really quickly. Of course, it comes down to picking the right players and the others getting healthy and improving. I'll say this, the potential to get a lot better is a lot more exciting than continuing to roll out the same core that hasn't gotten past a #7 seed in more than a decade.

"Listening to offers" is something that occurs 12 months a year, not just on Trade Deadline day. If an offer is made for Vucevic that gives the team a great chance at substantial improvement for the future, then of course you make a deal.

Bring Vic Oladipo back home!

I like the way you think! https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/254648/Warriors-Expected-To-Eventually-Trade-DAngelo-Russell

Agree. Either utilize Vuc for this season to help us get to the playoffs and then let him walk after the season or hope another team is willing to trade a player at a greater position of need for Vuc on a deal that makes sense beyond this season. Wish there was a team with an expendable (but good fit for us) PG of equal salary value that needs a center. Not sure that dream scenario exists. Bamba is the future center and the Magic can't justify tying up long term cap space for Vuc, and blocking Mo's path to starter, no matter how well he is starting to play under Clifford. So, Vuc's value may simply be the amount of cap space freed up from him walking at season's end.

Thanks. Just logged on to ESPN WATCH website and the game is live on ESPN 3. Logged on with my Spectrum cable username and password and good to go! Thanks again for the info!

Thanks very much!

NBA TV's website says no live stream of the game. Anyone have any links to watch the game?

NBA TV's website says no live stream of the game. Anyone have any links to watch the game?

At work so can;t watch NBA TV on a television. Does anyone have a link to watch the game online?

Amazing how things can turn around when you have competent management making roster decisions. Whether or not Weltman and Hammond ultimately do a great job, at least they appear to be trying to build a roster with a game plan of similar skill sets; i.e., lengthy athletes who can play multiple positions. Outside shooting is an obvious question mark right now, but IT could really help in that regard and take pressure off Fournier and Ross and theoretically get everyone more open shots. The days of playing 4-on-5 on offense, with Payton left alone because he couldn't shoot, might actually be over. Hallelujah!

I'd be surprised if DJ is the starter by the start of the season. It would seem the starter will be either IT, or another starting caliber PG that would be acquired in a trade (Ball?), someone in a trade for Vuc?

DJ Augustin? He's training for the season in the Stuff Kid Zone on the Promenade level of the Amway Center.