TreyMachine

Didn't think about that. Absolutely could be the case. Putting Love and Kyrie in a pick-and-roll game would be deadly.

That's something I actually thought. Exum might get drafted over Parker, and if Embiid with his shot-blocking is taken (how many of those exist, and his upside is much higher than Noel's last year who fell), I could see this happening. Even more, Smart is outside of many analyst's top 10. This would legitimately happen and our starting line-up in 2 years could be Smart Oladipo Harris Parker Vuc That's scary.

I'm looking at analyst's draft boards (the one's on Sportscenter and prior to the NBA Draft Lottery) and none of them had Marcus Smart in the top 10. What is the likelihood that he could potentially drop to us? Does anyone think the LA Lakers trade the 7th pick? I feel like 7th pick for AA straight up would be even. AA + 12 I think would be asking for too much in this deep draft.

Are there any watch parties here in Orlando to watch the Magic Lottery drawing tonight? I'm honestly freaking out over our future being controlled through a lottery. 8PM cannot come soon enough.

Certainly, but he still isn't a player you can build an offense / team around (unless my limited watching of him is way off).

What do we get in return for aa and 12? They have very few bargaining chips.

We need locker room vets, but not necessarily vets on the court. It's still my opinion that there is no way that we trade Jameer unless he specifically asks for one, and from my understanding, he cares more about having his kids raised up in a stable environment and being a part of their lives rather than traveling for a year and not seeing them much. Additionally, I don't know how large of a role he would have on a veteran contending team. I feel he would only leave us for someone within the top echelon of the West or perhaps Indiana. No way he goes to the Heat. In the end, AA can (and will) get traded. Jameer is the locker room guy who will lead and make the transition.

Is the pick top 5 protected? I haven't seen anyone make that claim when talking about the possibility of getting two top 3 picks?

I clearly would be much more excited for a higher pick, and a 5th pick would just be terrible. However, I also know that A) While we might have a clear top 4, others might not see it that way. Additionally, Henny is a product of OKC, whom got great value out of guys without top picks. I'm looking at Westbrook with the #4 pick, Harden with the #5 pick, and Ibaka with the #9 pick. It would be my vote (just like anyone else) to get the lot of the litter, but in the end, I trust Henny no matter where we land. All that said, outside the top 4 would suck.

I think what I meant by my phrasing is that he doesn't seem overly driven or hyper competitive. Perhaps he's just more laid back and not as much of an alpha-dog as everyone would hope a superstar to be like Kobe or MJ or even LeBron. I'm sure he'll grow in time, but right now, I'm just very worried about his passivity on the floor and wondering how much it translates to his time in practice, you know?

What is his vertical? What amazes me is that he doesn't come off to me as a guy who is the first guy in the gym and last guy to leave. That picture is for the most part just his raw athleticism at work. Wow.

Have there been any updates to Wiggins / Embiid / Parker measurements?

Holy Cow. Did it say anything about his vertical? Sounds like he will play much bigger than he actually is.

Crazy wingspan, but I definitely thought he would be bigger than that. High on his character, not on his game/potential. That one goes to Exum.

What is the intention of skipping the draft combine? To control what teams know evaluate your talent?

Luol Deng and Kyle Lowry will take where there is money. Gortat, Collison, and Okafur I see all desiring to be on a championship contender, meaning the Magic are out of the running, unless the pay for these are ridiuculously higher for the non-championship contender. I see Gortat staying in WAS, Collison staying in LA, and Okafur going to somewhere like the Miami Heat.

I don't think SVG leaves for any team. He has enough money, and while he misses the competition, coming into either the Minnesota or Detroit situation is not optimal in terms of weather and raising a family. Perhaps he could coach Golden State, as that is a good situation, but something tells me his rough personality will rub Stephen Curry and Andre Igudala the wrong way, especially in comparison to Marc Jackson's "player's coach" personality they have enjoyed during the season.

You guys really think we pass on Wiggins/Parker/Embiid for Vonleh and a better version of Kyle Korver?

I'm with you. Great intangibles, but is a ball hog and is not a leader, especially if that meant one of our young pieces was gone (namely Oladipo). Westbook on a non-winning team would be a headcase.

Embiid has all the makings of a dominant big-man with his athleticism, strength, and jumping capabilities. To pair him with Nik Vuchevic (who has shooting range and touch) would be filthy both offensively (and even defensively in terms of length). Everyone is shying away from him because of his back, but if he checks out, it's much easier to sign a great wing-player than to sign a great center. I can believe this is true because I still think that Rob believes in Harkless and Harris. Sure, Harris isn't an elite athlete, but he's one hell of a scorer and competitor. And we have to remember, Harkless is our most athletic player and is only 20 years old with great length and as his maturity in the game develops, he could truly be a lethal slasher and finisher. Harris at SF would additionally make sense because of the help defense he could receive from having two 7 footers behind him. In any event, getting a top 4 pick in this draft is Gold to me.

I think Westbrook is a competitor, but I just don't think his chip-on-the-shoulder me-first mentality is conducive to the culture we've created with the Magic, especially with all the young pieces looking to grow. The Magic players are characterized by humility and hard-work, an essential carbon copy of the Spurs/Thunder model. I think Westbrook would bring a certain swagger and spark to the locker-room that we might need, but I also don't see him dealing with losing well (doesn't come off as a guy who would take responsibility like Durant does). I'm content with an Exum/Oladipo/Harris/Vuc core growing together and coming into their own in time, rather than stagnating their growth with a ball-hog scorer (as good as he is).

There has to be something going on there. There is no way a player, who has shown that much talent for so long, fell off the face of the earth like this. Either his physical or mental health is at play here. People don't just change as players like this overnight.

I just don't see the Thunder trading Westbrook for anything we offer. If they do, it would take most all of our good building blocks away (Vic/Harris/Vuc/Picks). R. Jackson maybe, but no way do we get Westbrook.

Parker scenario goes for Embiid as well, as Marcus Smart in 1st goes with the Exum scenario.

Would he be related to Emeka? I hope we get the #1 pick just to pass on him too. :shard: