[high floorParticipant]

Orlando has had a controversial off-season to say the least.

The Good:  

1.) Hiring coach Frank Vogel. I think he is clearly an above average coach who will get this team playing great defense from the jump. Brings credibility to the franchise.

2.) Bringing back Evan Fournier. They paid a lot for him, but less than Crabbe got from Portland. I like Fournier a little more than Bazemore too, who was signed to a similar contract.

3.) Signing Bismack Biyombo. I think he can be a major deterrent to anyone trying to score in the paint if they give him a consistent 28+ minute role. IMO he still has upside to improve more on defense too. The question is though, will his role be consistent with Vucevic still in town? That’s a major issue GM Rob Hennigan & Vogel need to come together on.

The Bad:

1.) The Serge Ibaka trade. Originally I was excited about it beacause I’ve always thought that Serge brings more value to the team than Oladipo. But when I saw the overwhelming amount of negativity to the deal, I started to actually second guess the exchange. Serge’s numbers have declined over the past couple years, there are multiple reports that question his actual age, and his Unrestricted Free Agent status will make him a lot more expensive to retain than Oladipo since this is his 3rd contract. He helps the team next year, but beyond.. this deal could bite the Magic in the @ss.

2.) The Jeff Green signing, 1yr $15m. WTF?? I get that he adds defensive versatility and can play small ball 4 with some shooting range.. but is his defense really that much better than Tobias Harris’? And at the expense of giving minutes to Aaron Gordon & Hezonja? Lol.. that was a strange decision, unless Orlando signs a major FA next year after Green’s contract expires.

3.) Annoncement that Aaron Gordon will predominantly play SF. Now I absolutely think Aaron Gordon can guard 3’s defensively.. but offensively today he is much more naturally a PF. That’s the biggest drawback to the Serge & Biyombo signings…… figuring out AG’s role on offense. Also, I was really hoping to see 26-28mpg for Hezonja this year, and with their depth I don’t think that’s going to happen, which is kind of depressing.

4.) Where does Vucevic fit now? I love his offensive game, he’s top 5 on that end of the floor in the entire league. But I believe you have to craft a very specific roster around his deficiency to succeed. These moves seem to indicate that his days in Orlando are numbered, and I would miss him personally.

 

Honestly, I think Orlando’s ownership is putting too much pressure on the team to win-now. And situations like this can negatively affect the growth of young, impressionable players like Gordon, Payton & Hezonja. The one thing that gives me optimism though is Frank Vogel’s ability to develop young players. He’s done it with Hibbert, Stephenson, PG-13 & Myles Turner. But the Magic’s offseason moves are making that more difficult with each new signing.

[Anton123Participant]

I do think that some kind of move will still be made. Serge Ibaka, Aaron Gordon, Biyombo, Vucevic, Jeff Green and Stephen Zimmerman… They’ve got to move someone, right? I somewhat refrain from judgement until I see how they end their offseason. 

The Jeff Green signing looks crazy, but it won’t affect them long term. The team has A LOT of potential if they find the right trades. I am optimistic that they can do something, we’ll see.

 

[Anton123Participant]

I do think that some kind of move will still be made. Serge Ibaka, Aaron Gordon, Biyombo, Vucevic, Jeff Green and Stephen Zimmerman… They’ve got to move someone, right? I somewhat refrain from judgement until I see how they end their offseason. 

The Jeff Green signing looks crazy, but it won’t affect them long term. The team has A LOT of potential if they find the right trades. I am optimistic that they can do something, we’ll see.

 

[Anton123Participant]

I do think that some kind of move will still be made. Serge Ibaka, Aaron Gordon, Biyombo, Vucevic, Jeff Green and Stephen Zimmerman… They’ve got to move someone, right? I somewhat refrain from judgement until I see how they end their offseason. 

The Jeff Green signing looks crazy, but it won’t affect them long term. The team has A LOT of potential if they find the right trades. I am optimistic that they can do something, we’ll see.

 

[HobbyOGParticipant]

 Serge will be traded around the all-star break to a contender, he has an expiring contract, ORL will get a late first round pick or something. 

[Lebron’s HairlineParticipant]

 Then why did Orlando trade Oladipo AND their lottery pick for him if he’s just a half rental? I doubt Serge gets moved I believe Orlando wants to hold onto him rather than trade him for a late first

[high floorParticipant]

Moving Serge for the suggested late first round pick would get Hennigan fired, as that would mean he essentially parlayed Oladipo, their lottery pick, and Ersan’s expiring contract for a future late 1st rounder.. not happening.

I think Orlando wants Serge to stay for the long haul, unless the team underperforms and they don’t feel like he’s worth the $20+ million he’ll likely command on the open market after this season.

[high floorParticipant]

Moving Serge for the suggested late first round pick would get Hennigan fired, as that would mean he essentially parlayed Oladipo, their lottery pick, and Ersan’s expiring contract for a future late 1st rounder.. not happening.

I think Orlando wants Serge to stay for the long haul, unless the team underperforms and they don’t feel like he’s worth the $20+ million he’ll likely command on the open market after this season.

[high floorParticipant]

Moving Serge for the suggested late first round pick would get Hennigan fired, as that would mean he essentially parlayed Oladipo, their lottery pick, and Ersan’s expiring contract for a future late 1st rounder.. not happening.

I think Orlando wants Serge to stay for the long haul, unless the team underperforms and they don’t feel like he’s worth the $20+ million he’ll likely command on the open market after this season.

[HobbyOGParticipant]

 If they’re not competeing for a playoff spot in Feb AND he hasn’t agreed to an extentstion, why would they not trade him?? He’ll walk for free in the summertime like KD did. I don’t see the Magic being a playoff team this year. 

[HobbyOGParticipant]

 If they’re not competeing for a playoff spot in Feb AND he hasn’t agreed to an extentstion, why would they not trade him?? He’ll walk for free in the summertime like KD did. I don’t see the Magic being a playoff team this year. 

[high floorParticipant]

Whether you think they’re a playoff team or not, the trade you proposed is not enough strictly related to asset exchange. Orlando would get buried by the media and fan-base trading Oladipo (#2 pick), Sabonis (#11 pick) & Ersan Ilyasova (8.4 million expiring contract) for a single pick in the late teens or 20’s…

I happen to think different and that they will make the playoffs this year.. giving Ibaka reason to strongly consider re-upping with the Magic at season’s end. That strong consideration alone is worth the gamble more than a trade for a late 1st for a team that hasn’t been competetive in 4 years

[high floorParticipant]

Whether you think they’re a playoff team or not, the trade you proposed is not enough strictly related to asset exchange. Orlando would get buried by the media and fan-base trading Oladipo (#2 pick), Sabonis (#11 pick) & Ersan Ilyasova (8.4 million expiring contract) for a single pick in the late teens or 20’s…

I happen to think different and that they will make the playoffs this year.. giving Ibaka reason to strongly consider re-upping with the Magic at season’s end. That strong consideration alone is worth the gamble more than a trade for a late 1st for a team that hasn’t been competetive in 4 years

[high floorParticipant]

Whether you think they’re a playoff team or not, the trade you proposed is not enough strictly related to asset exchange. Orlando would get buried by the media and fan-base trading Oladipo (#2 pick), Sabonis (#11 pick) & Ersan Ilyasova (8.4 million expiring contract) for a single pick in the late teens or 20’s…

I happen to think different and that they will make the playoffs this year.. giving Ibaka reason to strongly consider re-upping with the Magic at season’s end. That strong consideration alone is worth the gamble more than a trade for a late 1st for a team that hasn’t been competetive in 4 years

[HobbyOGParticipant]

 If they’re not competeing for a playoff spot in Feb AND he hasn’t agreed to an extentstion, why would they not trade him?? He’ll walk for free in the summertime like KD did. I don’t see the Magic being a playoff team this year. 

[Lebron’s HairlineParticipant]

 Then why did Orlando trade Oladipo AND their lottery pick for him if he’s just a half rental? I doubt Serge gets moved I believe Orlando wants to hold onto him rather than trade him for a late first

[Lebron’s HairlineParticipant]

 Then why did Orlando trade Oladipo AND their lottery pick for him if he’s just a half rental? I doubt Serge gets moved I believe Orlando wants to hold onto him rather than trade him for a late first

[HobbyOGParticipant]

 Serge will be traded around the all-star break to a contender, he has an expiring contract, ORL will get a late first round pick or something. 

[HobbyOGParticipant]

 Serge will be traded around the all-star break to a contender, he has an expiring contract, ORL will get a late first round pick or something. 

[juves4783Participant]

i actually like their offseason.  i think throwing in the sabonis pick in the trade was a little much but i understand the justification for moving oladipo.  his game was not good with payton and gordon.  fournier fits better and is just as young.  likewise…adding a stretch 4 like ibaka and retaining fournier; justifies a move of gordon to sf.  he’ll have more opportunity to post up smaller defenders and take defenders off the dribble to get to the rim or set up shooters.  

i don’t think biyombo affects vucevic.  he’s part of their foundation and gives them a precense in the post.  i think biyombo will be used with vucevic at times and may only affect minutes if a team heavily goes into a small ball type lineup.  even in that case though, vucevic can reek so much havoc on offense that teams may resist that move.

the green signing doesn’t affect them long term and gives them some more roster flexibility so i’m not sure if that’s a bad thing.  adding an under the radar guy like jodie meeks for next to nothing was a pretty solid move too.  the augustin contract was a bit much but he did play for vogel in indy so there must have been some merit to adding him.  i still think hezonja is a year away which is why they added meeks and green with 1-year deals.

 

[juves4783Participant]

i actually like their offseason.  i think throwing in the sabonis pick in the trade was a little much but i understand the justification for moving oladipo.  his game was not good with payton and gordon.  fournier fits better and is just as young.  likewise…adding a stretch 4 like ibaka and retaining fournier; justifies a move of gordon to sf.  he’ll have more opportunity to post up smaller defenders and take defenders off the dribble to get to the rim or set up shooters.  

i don’t think biyombo affects vucevic.  he’s part of their foundation and gives them a precense in the post.  i think biyombo will be used with vucevic at times and may only affect minutes if a team heavily goes into a small ball type lineup.  even in that case though, vucevic can reek so much havoc on offense that teams may resist that move.

the green signing doesn’t affect them long term and gives them some more roster flexibility so i’m not sure if that’s a bad thing.  adding an under the radar guy like jodie meeks for next to nothing was a pretty solid move too.  the augustin contract was a bit much but he did play for vogel in indy so there must have been some merit to adding him.  i still think hezonja is a year away which is why they added meeks and green with 1-year deals.

 

[juves4783Participant]

i actually like their offseason.  i think throwing in the sabonis pick in the trade was a little much but i understand the justification for moving oladipo.  his game was not good with payton and gordon.  fournier fits better and is just as young.  likewise…adding a stretch 4 like ibaka and retaining fournier; justifies a move of gordon to sf.  he’ll have more opportunity to post up smaller defenders and take defenders off the dribble to get to the rim or set up shooters.  

i don’t think biyombo affects vucevic.  he’s part of their foundation and gives them a precense in the post.  i think biyombo will be used with vucevic at times and may only affect minutes if a team heavily goes into a small ball type lineup.  even in that case though, vucevic can reek so much havoc on offense that teams may resist that move.

the green signing doesn’t affect them long term and gives them some more roster flexibility so i’m not sure if that’s a bad thing.  adding an under the radar guy like jodie meeks for next to nothing was a pretty solid move too.  the augustin contract was a bit much but he did play for vogel in indy so there must have been some merit to adding him.  i still think hezonja is a year away which is why they added meeks and green with 1-year deals.

 

[steviechillzParticipant]

As Jalen Rose says, positions are for novices to follow the NBA game…with the shooting abililty of Ibaka, Hezonja, and Fournier, there is no reason to believe Aaron Gordon couldn’t coexist with them at the “3/SF” position.

[steviechillzParticipant]

As Jalen Rose says, positions are for novices to follow the NBA game…with the shooting abililty of Ibaka, Hezonja, and Fournier, there is no reason to believe Aaron Gordon couldn’t coexist with them at the “3/SF” position.

[steviechillzParticipant]

As Jalen Rose says, positions are for novices to follow the NBA game…with the shooting abililty of Ibaka, Hezonja, and Fournier, there is no reason to believe Aaron Gordon couldn’t coexist with them at the “3/SF” position.

[Lebron’s HairlineParticipant]

 You’re treading on thin ice there by quoting Jalen Rose lol

[220Participant]

 "Agreed!" Said everyone who saw Jalen Rose’s player comparisons in the 2016 NBA Draft.

[220Participant]

 "Agreed!" Said everyone who saw Jalen Rose’s player comparisons in the 2016 NBA Draft.

[220Participant]

 "Agreed!" Said everyone who saw Jalen Rose’s player comparisons in the 2016 NBA Draft.

[Lebron’s HairlineParticipant]

 You’re treading on thin ice there by quoting Jalen Rose lol

[Lebron’s HairlineParticipant]

 You’re treading on thin ice there by quoting Jalen Rose lol

[Al PerezParticipant]

 PG – Elfrid Payton, DJ Augustine

SG – Evan Fournier, Mario Hezonja, CJ Wilcox

SF – Aaron Gordon, Jeff Green, Mario Hezonja

PF – Serge Ibaka, Jeff Green, Aaron Gordon, Stephen Zimmerman

C – Nik Vucevic, Bismak Biyombo, Stephen Zimmerman

 

with Frank Vogel as a head coach

 

I like how this roster is constructed and I think Vogel can get the most out of this team..

[Al PerezParticipant]

 PG – Elfrid Payton, DJ Augustine

SG – Evan Fournier, Mario Hezonja, CJ Wilcox

SF – Aaron Gordon, Jeff Green, Mario Hezonja

PF – Serge Ibaka, Jeff Green, Aaron Gordon, Stephen Zimmerman

C – Nik Vucevic, Bismak Biyombo, Stephen Zimmerman

 

with Frank Vogel as a head coach

 

I like how this roster is constructed and I think Vogel can get the most out of this team..

[Al PerezParticipant]

 PG – Elfrid Payton, DJ Augustine

SG – Evan Fournier, Mario Hezonja, CJ Wilcox

SF – Aaron Gordon, Jeff Green, Mario Hezonja

PF – Serge Ibaka, Jeff Green, Aaron Gordon, Stephen Zimmerman

C – Nik Vucevic, Bismak Biyombo, Stephen Zimmerman

 

with Frank Vogel as a head coach

 

I like how this roster is constructed and I think Vogel can get the most out of this team..

[DolanCareParticipant]

It’s very rare to trade someone you just signed. So even though Biyombo and Serge overlap, I don’t see either of them being moved. I think Vucevic is the likely piece to be swapped…. Hopefully for a point guard who is able to put the ball in the hoop from a distance beyond 5 feet. 

[DolanCareParticipant]

It’s very rare to trade someone you just signed. So even though Biyombo and Serge overlap, I don’t see either of them being moved. I think Vucevic is the likely piece to be swapped…. Hopefully for a point guard who is able to put the ball in the hoop from a distance beyond 5 feet. 

[DolanCareParticipant]

It’s very rare to trade someone you just signed. So even though Biyombo and Serge overlap, I don’t see either of them being moved. I think Vucevic is the likely piece to be swapped…. Hopefully for a point guard who is able to put the ball in the hoop from a distance beyond 5 feet. 

[pokieParticipant]

There is still no one on this team who can create their own shot. If you are going to trade your best young player and a lottery pick you should expect to get a player back who can close games for you. I thought Oladipo and Harris were as solid a pair of young players to build around as I have seen a small market team come across in some time. I would have moved everything around those guys, not those guys. They just needed to be developed. Oh, well… Lucky for the Magic, it’s going to be a monster draft next year. Very guard heavy. I have a feeling Orlando has just positioned themselves to be right at the top of the lottery.

[pokieParticipant]

There is still no one on this team who can create their own shot. If you are going to trade your best young player and a lottery pick you should expect to get a player back who can close games for you. I thought Oladipo and Harris were as solid a pair of young players to build around as I have seen a small market team come across in some time. I would have moved everything around those guys, not those guys. They just needed to be developed. Oh, well… Lucky for the Magic, it’s going to be a monster draft next year. Very guard heavy. I have a feeling Orlando has just positioned themselves to be right at the top of the lottery.

[pokieParticipant]

There is still no one on this team who can create their own shot. If you are going to trade your best young player and a lottery pick you should expect to get a player back who can close games for you. I thought Oladipo and Harris were as solid a pair of young players to build around as I have seen a small market team come across in some time. I would have moved everything around those guys, not those guys. They just needed to be developed. Oh, well… Lucky for the Magic, it’s going to be a monster draft next year. Very guard heavy. I have a feeling Orlando has just positioned themselves to be right at the top of the lottery.

[Author]

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