I’m a firm believer we need to upgrade our 2. With that said, Lavine would do that; but it’s a HARD pass on on him for me.
-Buckaroo_Banzai-
LaVine is an outstanding professional. He adds scoring as well as shooting, however he’s on a different timeline than most of the core.
Adding a 28 year old All-Star to a group of players in their 1-4th season won’t work out.
Give the core group time to develop organically and rather add some good locker room vets on 2 year deals.
Demar DeRozan for example was an outstanding addition for the Bulls in terms of morale and player development. He really took the young players under his wing. Sadly Williams got injured last season.
But players with the work ethic of Demar or Jimmy Butler are what’s needed. Vets who add a certain amount of competition and work hard before and during the season.
However these players are tough to find.
millertyme365
I highly doubt Chicago wants to deal with us for a while for fear of getting absolutely fleeced again lol
StanVanGhandi
Let me guess, a multi time all star who can shoot and we could get, but no one on this sub wants said All Star bc they aren’t 100% perfect? Yep.
People on this sub are going to have to realize there are 3 ways to get stars and therefore get better when you are the Orlando Magic. You either overpay someone, trade some future assets for someone, or home grow your own. That last one is the best way, but it is also the most difficult to pull off.
GunStarGyro
I’m back and forth on this.
**The contract**
I don’t think the contract should be a deterrent; there are much worse contracts (see Beal, Dame, and what Jaylen Brown is about to get) for similar (or in the case of Beal, worse) production. If we waived Harris and waived and stretched JI, we could theoretically absorb him in a trade right now without sending any salary out. We’d still be $30M under the luxury tax; Fultz could get a payday this offseason, Franz could get an extension that kicks in 2 years from now (2025-26), Paolo an extension that kicks in 3 years from now (2026-27), and if Lavine picks up his PO in the final year (2026-27) then you have a worst case scenario of 3 max guys for 1 year (2026-27).
**The trade**
I don’t want to speculate too much on what a trade package would look like. I’d just start with the ground rules that Paolo, Franz, WCJ, and one of Markelle/Suggs is untouchable (Cole just doesn’t make sense as a starting PG next to Lavine).
**The outlook**
Lavine is locked up for 3 years, 4 if he opts in to the final year. If he joins this squad and we roll out **WCJ / Paolo / Franz / Lavine / Fultz** and retain some sort of depth we are absolutely making the playoffs this year. We’re talking guaranteed playoffs for the next 3-4 years with one of the brightest young cores in the league. Paolo and Franz will only get better. Lavine raises the ceiling right now and gets us to the stage. If he’s gone when Paolo and Franz enter their prime, so what?
**Concern**
Would Lavine willingly take a step back and let the young guns grow/develop? We’re gonna go as far Paolo/Franz take us, and Lavine would have to know that and accept it early on. If we acquired him right now, sure he might be the #1 option, simply b/c he’s better than the other guys, but by next year he should be the #2 option at best, and be ready to soon take another step down the ladder. He seems like a good guy and a professional, so I’m not saying he wouldn’t, but sometimes those things are easier said than done, especially when you’re used to being the star.
5 Comments
I’m a firm believer we need to upgrade our 2. With that said, Lavine would do that; but it’s a HARD pass on on him for me.
LaVine is an outstanding professional. He adds scoring as well as shooting, however he’s on a different timeline than most of the core.
Adding a 28 year old All-Star to a group of players in their 1-4th season won’t work out.
Give the core group time to develop organically and rather add some good locker room vets on 2 year deals.
Demar DeRozan for example was an outstanding addition for the Bulls in terms of morale and player development. He really took the young players under his wing. Sadly Williams got injured last season.
But players with the work ethic of Demar or Jimmy Butler are what’s needed. Vets who add a certain amount of competition and work hard before and during the season.
However these players are tough to find.
I highly doubt Chicago wants to deal with us for a while for fear of getting absolutely fleeced again lol
Let me guess, a multi time all star who can shoot and we could get, but no one on this sub wants said All Star bc they aren’t 100% perfect? Yep.
People on this sub are going to have to realize there are 3 ways to get stars and therefore get better when you are the Orlando Magic. You either overpay someone, trade some future assets for someone, or home grow your own. That last one is the best way, but it is also the most difficult to pull off.
I’m back and forth on this.
**The contract**
I don’t think the contract should be a deterrent; there are much worse contracts (see Beal, Dame, and what Jaylen Brown is about to get) for similar (or in the case of Beal, worse) production. If we waived Harris and waived and stretched JI, we could theoretically absorb him in a trade right now without sending any salary out. We’d still be $30M under the luxury tax; Fultz could get a payday this offseason, Franz could get an extension that kicks in 2 years from now (2025-26), Paolo an extension that kicks in 3 years from now (2026-27), and if Lavine picks up his PO in the final year (2026-27) then you have a worst case scenario of 3 max guys for 1 year (2026-27).
**The trade**
I don’t want to speculate too much on what a trade package would look like. I’d just start with the ground rules that Paolo, Franz, WCJ, and one of Markelle/Suggs is untouchable (Cole just doesn’t make sense as a starting PG next to Lavine).
**The outlook**
Lavine is locked up for 3 years, 4 if he opts in to the final year. If he joins this squad and we roll out **WCJ / Paolo / Franz / Lavine / Fultz** and retain some sort of depth we are absolutely making the playoffs this year. We’re talking guaranteed playoffs for the next 3-4 years with one of the brightest young cores in the league. Paolo and Franz will only get better. Lavine raises the ceiling right now and gets us to the stage. If he’s gone when Paolo and Franz enter their prime, so what?
**Concern**
Would Lavine willingly take a step back and let the young guns grow/develop? We’re gonna go as far Paolo/Franz take us, and Lavine would have to know that and accept it early on. If we acquired him right now, sure he might be the #1 option, simply b/c he’s better than the other guys, but by next year he should be the #2 option at best, and be ready to soon take another step down the ladder. He seems like a good guy and a professional, so I’m not saying he wouldn’t, but sometimes those things are easier said than done, especially when you’re used to being the star.