Franchise408

Did we really save money tho? Same # of years, and basically the same dollar amount, for a lesser player. After seeing the contract details, color me unimpressed by this trade.

Getting rid of Biyombo: + Bringing in Mozgov: - - - - -

The Lakers organization kind of is in shambles. Even with LeBron there, nobody wants to go play there right now. Even Khawi came out and said the Clippers are his preferred LA team. The Lakers are also a different situation from the Magic. The Lakers have always thrived off of media attention as it is anyways. Being the premiere team in LA, media attention is kind of their gig. So Lavar has less of an effect there. Try him in small town Orlando. He's gonna act like Lonzo is too good to be playing in a market like that on a team like the Magic. I can already see him constantly causing strife with the organization, coaches, and teammates. Didn't we do this song and dance already with Shaq, T-Mac, and Dwight? Players who got their egos too big for the small pond? With Lonzo, we are actively bringing that mentality into the team. And unlike the Lakers, who always have been a team focused on bringing in big names rather than developing a cohesive unit of small talent, the Magic are trying to develop a particular culture. One that is currently fragile, because unlike the Lakers, we don't have an established culture of being a premiere franchise in the league like the Lakers do. We are trying to build a culture for and around guys like Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac, Mo Bamba, etc. You guys already want to remove disruptions to that culture in guys like Vuc, but want to bring in the Balls? For what? No thanks. Isaiah Thomas may have personal motivations to come in the form of wanting to reprove himself for a big contract later down the line with someone else, but he won't disrupt the locker room. I don't want anything to do with Lonzo and Lavar.

Are you seriously asking me how Lavar Ball could be detrimental to the culture of a young and developing locker room? Have you watched ANY sports news the last year and a half or so?

I think it's funny that the people who are against IT because of "developing our young guys" want Lonzo. Lonzo is a package deal with Lavar, and Lavar is the absolute WORST thing that could possibly happen to a small market, growing, rebuilding team. I wouldn't touch Ball with a 10 foot pole. Want nothing to do with that family. I hope so. Hearing that talk that its fizzling out is about the worst news I could hear as a Magic fan (this side of trading for Lonzo)

About $80

Whoa! Now I feel less bad about trading for him in my 2K18 GM mode with the Magic Drop cable. I have Hulu live TV for TV ($44/month) and NBA League Pass to watch the Magic out here in Warriors Land ($18/month) That's $62/month to get everything I possibly need for TV

Well if they do start I wont be disappointed. And yes, growing pains are to be expected. Theres a difference between growing pains and not being ready. But I'm not suggesting that they arent ready. And considering that Vuc and Biyombo arent the future plans of the team, it might be best. Though Vuc is good enough that I could see him starting to begin the season.

And the future should be about not playing guys before they are ready and asking them to take on responsibilities and roles they aren't ready for. *I'm not saying Bamba and Isaac *aren't* ready to start. I'm just saying, we shouldnt force them in if they arent yet. And it's exactly the reason why I want IT here. I think he allows our guys to play a much more natural and appropriate role, and not have to carry more of a burden than they should be. Also, the idea of Vuc and Ross starting, gives us some excitement off the bench with Isaac and Bamba. I feel like with that rotation, we wouldn't lose much when some of the 2nd unit come in.

DJ

Dont scare me like that.

Wrong Isaiah >:( Wait, all these people citing sources. None of these sources are legit, right?

And given Mario's production up to that point, it's even understandable why they didn't pick up the option.

Hennigan is the worst thing to ever happen to this franchise. While I didnt hate his drafts, for reasons stated above, his trades and signings were absolutely atrocious. Now that hes gone, I'm actually excited for Magic basketball again.

An even better version of Jameer. And Jameer is one of my all time favorite Magic players. Am I okay with guys sacrificing shots for IT? Yes. That's the #1 reason why I want IT. Fournier and Gordon should not be our #1 #2 offensive options. They should be in a #2 #3 role. Bringing in Thomas accomplishes that by giving us a proven #1 scorer. And in turn, he can open it up for Fournier and Gordon to be more effective when defenses have to start focusing more on Isaiah and he's able to kick out to an open Fournier, Gordon, Isaac, or Bamba. And given that it's a 1 year contract on a team that otherwise isnt ready to compete anyways, if IT doesnt pan out due to injury, we lose nothing. But this team cannot and will not be successful as long as Fournier and Gordon are our top 2 offensive options. We need this move. This is the kind of move that's going to allow our guys to more properly develop, and make this team more efficient and effective. Without Thomas we will be lottery. Again. With Thomas, we will compete for a low playoff positioning, giving our guys additional growth and confidence, and better showcasing us to talent around the league to come join us.

And even if hes not, it's literally a 1 year contract that doesnt hurt us from finding someone next year. There is literally no risk here, and only possible upside.

We aren't signing Dwight Howard here. Should we just roll with no PG, because whoever we bring in might hurt team cohesion? Our guys gotta learn to be able to play with guys. Our guys gotta learn how to win. This roster can't stay in tank mode forever.

There's a first time for everything. When's the last time the Magic have won a championship? But we're still shooting for it, right? It doesn't happen til it happens.

This is why I am vehemently anti-tank. 1. History shows that tanking doesnt work as a reliable team building strategy 2. It develops a culture of losing for the young players you do end up drafting. Teams should be trying to win. (Shedding bad contracts or signing intelligently instead of just trading and signing willy nilly is not -tanking-) You can then add new pieces onto that core to supplement it and grow.

As long as we dont pass on Isaiah to do it. But I feel it's unnecessary. Lin and Vuc have the same expiring contract, and I see more use out of Vuc than Lin. Why does Vuc have to come off the bench? Is Bamba really ready to be our starter on day 1? If so? Sure. Move Vuc. Tho I'd rather it be for something other than Lin since both guys are about the same expiring contract.

I'm not even that big on Fournier, but I feel like with Isaiah's ability to penetrate, he'll command help defense which will leave guys like Fournier, Ross, Gordon, or Isaac open behind the arc. I feel like Isaiah is the kind of guy we need to make the rest of the engine go.

That's getting me turned on. I need to get that pic on it's own so I can put that as my Facebook cover photo lol

Curious why Ross would be preferred over Fournier in our starting lineup?

No Fournier in the starting lineup?? idk how I feel about that (unless he's being traded) He's our best scorer (Isaiah pending). *Also - Since I can't ACTUALLY CHANGE MY NAME TO IT408 (WTF IS THIS MADNESS????) I've updated the avy (until I can get one with him in a Magic uni)

God damnit I hate that guy. Okay, I don't hate Biyombo. I actually kinda like him tbh. But not at the contract Henny gave him. Henny is the guy that I hate. God damnit I hate that guy.