TreyMachine

Are we just assuming Ross is gone at this point? Haven't heard a peep about him.

I'm not at all saying there is any truth to the rumors. Just saying the resigning would make sense on an inverse contract.

We've never really attracted big FA signings. If we're going to get good, it will be because Gordon, Isaac, Bamba, Fultz, and Okeke all develop. In my mind, Vuc helps keep us competitive as that time grows. Because we aren't signing any big-name FA's and don't have a lot of cap to sign someone better fit for this team, I could see a slide scale deal that is ballooned this year and slowly gets smaller - and more trade-friendly - as Vuc becomes less effective or less involved depending on development. None of us believe Vuc is an All-Star who will takes us even into Round #2, but he could be a solid role player (and good locker room guy) on a winning team with explosive, young talent - which we should be in 1-2 years.

Is this serious? No way Derozen can be had that easily.

Is the assumption right now Fultz won't be given the keys come Game 1 next year? Are there still concerns he won't be ready and Augustin won't be enough of a serviceable stand-in?

With the alternatives, I'm very certain we will pay Ross. Vuc on a short deal makes sense. I don't think he will take it though. He did terribly against Gasol but honestly you can never guarantee money in the NBA like you can after being an All-Star, even if you falter in the playoffs. He could get hurt next season. He'll get offered a 4/80 deal I think by someone, of which he will take.

That entire game was incredible. To cap it with that shot was Dame.... WOW. I would say 100% of the time that’s a terrible shot. But he took it. And he made it. Then he immediately waved the Thunder goodbye. Best clutch player (and stone-cold assassin) in the game today.

Also remember the Magic - generally speaking - have a really good team culture, with Steve Clifford as a great leader. Every person is given a chance and the benefit of the doubt. Believe me - I’m skeptical too.

You know a man can never reveal his sources. Lol Here’s the thing: Bamba is still a young kid. I believe he definitely can still grow. However, I know plenty of people whom I was went along with on the sidelines whom I didn’t enjoy in the locker room or in my personal life. From my source, Bamba had two in-team suspensions for disciplinary reasons at the beginning of the season. While it’s gottem better, it’s still not stellar. Again - with that being said - he’s only 20 years old, and Lord knows I grew a lot from 20 to 25 or so.

I think this is important to identify. Do you want to have enough money available to sign our good players as they mature into great players. Stretch signing a 28-year-old Might be good now, but it limits the development of other players who could become even better, and will therefore tie us up so that we cannot pay those players when they inevitably become great. I think Jonathan Isaac is a prime example of this.

INSIDER INFORMATION: A) Vuc is very well-liked amongst Magic management and teammates. While Vuc was seen as potentially too pricey to keep, it has been known that Vuc wants to stay (his family has become very rooted in Orlando). Not only does his price go down with this playoff series, but it is thought that he would choose us over any team should the price be relatively the same. He isn’t seen as a star, but one of the most consistent big men in the NBA - which has value on a budding young team. B) Magic are also willing to shell out more cash for Vuc to continue to be our center of the present and near future because Mo Bamba is still under review, not because of his skill set, but because of his attitude. While there have certainly been quiet, more reserved stars (think Tim Duncan), Mo is rumored to - as was noted in his draft combine - have little natural interest in basketball and even more so, doesn’t mesh well with other teammates. This was so much so that he was even considered to be shopped around before the trade deadline. So if we do indeed sign Vuc, it is expected to be a friendly deal, and if not very much so, then it will be due to managements insecurity about handing the reigns to Bamba and what he brings to the locker room. I find part B) to be fascinating. My source is very reliable.

I think we can identify equally its important for player analysis for Vuc. I was even on him staying/leaving before this series. He can't be a reliable piece of a deep playoff team. His skillset conquers mid-to-low level players / teams but he's exposed against bigger / stronger teams. This series only reinforced my thinking that he isn't worth more than $10M-$12M per year. Most certainly not worth near the max, which I can image some team will throw at him this summer.

I was front row at the Game 1 watch party and I'll be there tonight as well. Rain or Shine, BLUE AND WHITE WILL IGNITE!!

Ben Simmons came to play with a vengeance. If we get lucky enough to get to the 2nd round, we should all be reminded to not insult Ben Simmons as the NJ Nets and national media has. He's been on a tear since Game 1 when he was called out.

Good to see Markelle happy and pumped for teammates. I really think he's going to flourish here under Clifford's "Team first" culture rather than what is looking to be some unhealthy individualistic culture in Philly.