2024 Off-season Thread

[Jay Magic 1,334]

1 minute ago, CTMagicUK said:

There isn't a free agent out there who'd be the long term solution for this team at starting PG. 

Yep. IF we want that it's via trade as it stands.. 

 

[Forumreader 13]

Most of us wanted that blockbuster deal, but we all know it’s not the answer to win it all.

c’s jrue dwhite

denver ag kcP

[Jon 36]

24 minutes ago, Jay Magic said:

I hear you. But we actually do have it.

Franz will handle more.. AB will.. Jett will and Tristan.. Jalen and also KCP

Lastly Paolo will handle more but will have snipers finally...nobody is defending him nor Franz 1 on 1

I don’t see it that way. I see our clear number 1 with Paolo then it goes to a bunch of 3rd options.

This was evident in many games and especially noticeable in playoffs.

We need that 2nd option preferably at PG. It’s still early so maybe they have a plan.

[All Eyes On Me 1,347]

Really have no idea what we’re gonna do with the rest of the cap space. Nobody left that we could get moves the needle for me at that price. Maybe we make a trade 

[CTMagicUK 1,623]

1 minute ago, All Eyes On Me said:

Really have no idea what we’re gonna do with the rest of the cap space. Nobody left that we could get moves the needle for me at that price. Maybe we make a trade 

It looks like Hartenstein has to be the target and I'm not saying that as someone who especially wants Hartenstein, as you know from our conversation yesterday, but because I have no idea what else it would be if not? Overpay Mo and Joe again? 

[tkranole 24]

Signing Hartenstein and trading WCJ+Cole for a primary ball handler is a good move considering the free agent class. 

Realistically it comes down to the core making the next step in their developments. Paolo/Franz/Suggs/AB/Howard all have to take steps forward this offseason for it to come together down the road. Also excited to see what Isaac can do with a full offseason to not need to rehab over. 

[Shine88 121]

Free agent center Jalen Smith has agreed on a three-year, $27 million contract with the Chicago Bulls, sources tell ESPN. Smith’s agents at

@KlutchSports

reached deal with Bulls front office overnight.

 

[TreyMachine 423]

5 minutes ago, CTMagicUK said:

It looks like Hartenstein has to be the target and I'm not saying that as someone who especially wants Hartenstein, as you know from our conversation yesterday, but because I have no idea what else it would be if not? Overpay Mo and Joe again? 

I think we fill up our Cap Space with 2 year deals to remain flexible this season and next. Mo Wagner (backup center) and another backup guard for insurance on Jett (I'm not convinced he's NBA ready). You can bring in Hartenstein but does he want to just sit not the bench and if so, how does that affect the minutes of Mo and JI? I just don't see it unless we're about to do a trade. If I've learned anything, it's that the Magic brass really value good contracts that keep them flexible outside of their core.

The Magic don't want to get stuck with terrible contracts for aging players (Lavine, Beal, Russell Westbrook, Harden, John Wall type of contracts that are basically untradeable). 

[TreyMachine 423]

5 minutes ago, tkranole said:

Signing Hartenstein and trading WCJ+Cole for a primary ball handler is a good move considering the free agent class. 

Realistically it comes down to the core making the next step in their developments. Paolo/Franz/Suggs/AB/Howard all have to take steps forward this offseason for it to come together down the road. Also excited to see what Isaac can do with a full offseason to not need to rehab over. 

Cole just feels like such a good locker room guy for our young locker room and a great 6th man off the bench. I get he can be erratic, but both WCJ+Cole are on good contracts for their talent levels. Who do you realistically trade them for and does it really get you net better as you're likely looking at a backup Guard unless you want KCP coming off the bench or Paolo playing the 5. 

[tkranole 24]

1 minute ago, TreyMachine said:

Cole just feels like such a good locker room guy for our young locker room and a great 6th man off the bench. I get he can be erratic, but both WCJ+Cole are on good contracts for their talent levels. Who do you realistically trade them for and does it really get you net better as you're likely looking at a backup Guard unless you want KCP coming off the bench or Paolo playing the 5. 

Agreed but realistically Cole and WCJ are not guys who will get top minutes on a true contender. Gotta be willing to make the move if you can. I’m sure they are looking at deals to do so if they sign Hartenstein. 

[Shine88 121]

Hartenstein to OKC.

Isaiah Hartenstein to sign a 3-year, $87M contract with the Thunder

[CTMagicUK 1,623]

4 minutes ago, TreyMachine said:

I think we fill up our Cap Space with 2 year deals to remain flexible this season and next. Mo Wagner (backup center) and another backup guard for insurance on Jett (I'm not convinced he's NBA ready). You can bring in Hartenstein but does he want to just sit not the bench and if so, how does that affect the minutes of Mo and JI? I just don't see it unless we're about to do a trade. If I've learned anything, it's that the Magic brass really value good contracts that keep them flexible outside of their core.

The Magic don't want to get stuck with terrible contracts for aging players (Lavine, Beal, Russell Westbrook, Harden, John Wall type of contracts that are basically untradeable). 

There really is not a lot of flexibility left after this summer.

Even with a limited amount of long term salary committed we have to pay Franz and Jalen and even if we take it to next summer (which they might not be happy doing) they have large cap holds that will make it quite unlikely we're major players in free agency. 

Provided the roster remains roughly as currently constructed, if we let JI leave and trade both 2025 first round picks (for future picks I guess since we're remaining as currently constructed) we could probably get to 25-28m in cap space. 

A JI extension eats into that. Letting JI get to free agency and trying to sign him as a free agent wipes that out entirely. Draft pick salary would eat into it further.