Orlando Magic Podcast – Ep. 199 – “CXCIX“
live from Orlando Florida you’re listening to the Orlando Magic HQ podcast the voice of magic fans join us every week for a unique fan perspective on all of the latest Magic news and updates the show starts now what’s up magic fans welcome back to another episode of the Orlando Magic HQ podcast brought to you by the believe podcast Network in b online where your host Al myself Anthony today is Friday June 14th and the NBA Finals it’s it’s it’s almost done man it’s Boston you look you look at this playoff series and one could argue that Boston had a very very easy playoff series but it looks like they might just get it done uh Boston is looking like way too much for the Dallas Mavericks and this is without their starting center uh which is pretty crazy and the NBA season it’s it’s it’s officially done for everyone so which is great news because we can kind of speed this along a little bit right get get done with this NBA season we jump into uh you know the draft the free agency and and and the madness that comes with you know NBA offseason trade season so Al what’s going on man how excited are you for uh the next step I’m ready man I don’t know about you but I really haven’t been watching the NBA Finals like I really I’ve only watched maybe like five minutes um we talked about it on our last episode I just felt like the Celtics were going to win like I know the maps had a good chance they have a good team but something about it just told me it’s going to be the Celtics running away with it and uh here we are 3 already um so it hasn’t been exciting to watch so I’m ready to turn the page let’s get into the off season and let’s get closer to Magic Basketball man that’s that’s all I want to get to so I’m ready for that yeah definitely in today’s episode we’re we’re going to talk a little bit more about uh all the different things that we’re currently hearing um in the uh Orlando Magic Rumor Mill uh we’ll be discussing some some free agency topics and uh touch a little bit on the NBA draft but before we get into it just a quick word from our sponsors bet online bet online is your number one source for the NBA finals and Stanley Cup finals this season every stat every matchup and even live odds spreads while the games are being played when the game is over head on over to our online casino and get in on a game of blackjack or poker or unwind with one of our over 150 slot games head to the website today to get in on the action use promo code believe for your 50% off welcome bonus on your first deposit B online the game starts here so I mean yeah Ju Just to kind of wrap up the our NBA Finals discussion really quick um man it it’s been it I feel bad because I was really rooting for uh Kyrie Irving I I really was never been a Celtics fan uh you know obviously we’ve had our battles against Boston and it’s going to be like this NeverEnding uh you know battle in terms of what we hear from Celtics fans like we we’ve already bumped heads as much as we can with Eddie house and and and his crowd and you know any anytime we play against the Celtics the Amway Center or excuse me the Kia Center um gets filled with you know Celtics fans and um man good for them if they get it because they they finally got it done um but it it makes me feel it gives me a lot of Hope because if we’re looking a little deeper into the future the magic are sitting pretty man the magic have a great opportunity to be able to uh jump additional hoops and and get even further along and progress um and be more successful than what we’ve had this season and you look at the landscape in the East it’s starting to feel more and more wide open because you you look at the Celtics um their path you you look at what you know they were able to do against you know a team like Cleveland a team like Indiana like these are all teams that we have you know done extremely extremely well against and um the magic being able to to do what they’ve been able to do this season with what we have without really making any big trades or or signing really any big free agents um it it has to make you feel good of what the future looks like um in the East yeah I mean don’t forget that people keep saying that you know the magic are kind of being built like the Boston Celtics in a way right you think about you know Tatum Brown you think about you know Paulo and and and France you think about uh their Defenders on the wings you got Jaylen sus there Anthony black so a lot of similarities we’re much younger uh but the Celtics have been you know where we want to be and I think that’s the idea do we keep building like they have um so again even though we’ve had our battles with the Celtics the fact that we’re kind of go in the same trajectory as they were a few years ago uh it’s exciting for magic fans or it should be at least so um you know they’ve deserved it they’ve been in the finals before they’ve lost they’ve lost in the Conference Finals so they’ve gone through their struggles their pain points uh you know if they end up winning it it to well deserve to be honest with you I know we’ve had again our battles with Celtics fans but at the end of the day man you can’t deny it it’s a hell of a team they did a great job putting the team together building into the draft making smart trades uh they they’ve earned it yeah so obviously with this now finishing right NBA draft it’s is coming pretty close um after the draft and we start talking about summer league but before then you know the draft is really the first indication of you know NBA trade season really starting then we jump into free agency and then we we get an opportunity to really see um you know what our team will look like going into training camp they’ve already released a schedule for the preseason um in October our first preseason game will be October 7th against the New Orleans uh Pelicans will be facing off against San Antonio on the 9th New Orleans on the 11th Philadelphia on the 18th um I I know this is all the way in October but really man it’s it’s not I mean it’s far away and it’s going to feel like it’s far away because we’re really going to have like that empty space once all of this all dies down especially after summer league but then you have you know International games um with the Olympics so there there’s going to be enough um stuff for us to be able to absor um absorb until uh the new season starts but um it it is it is fun to know that man October is only four months away right so it’s it’s it’s a lot closer than we think now in terms of the rumors that we’ve been hearing um we keep hearing the same names and it’s going to continue to be that way um the here’s the here’s the issue when it comes to these rumors right is that there’s a obvious need for the Orlando Magic we know this right everyone knows our biggest struggle or Achilles heels has been our our perimeter shooting our three-point shooting and um anytime that there is a player that may be available and is a shooter there is is going to be some level of connection a name that we have heard throughout the season um and now we’re hearing in the off season is is body he uh buddy heeld and Buddy heeld is a player to watch for the Orlando Magic and honestly man um I’m a little I’m a little scared about Buddy heeld and let me tell you why um I I was one of the ones that said I really wanted buddy heeld he’s the type of player that we need a veteran um obviously one of the best shooters in the NBA the list goes on and on um but man he his his stent with Philadelphia was a little sluggish it it wasn’t anything that I was too impressed with and my issue is that if you’re going to be a specialist at something like you hope that that something is consistant that is impactful that can really elevate your your your team and that’s exactly what the Orlando Magic need now so when we ask ourselves you know is Buddy healed an elevation type of player could he really help out the Orlando Magic and could he of course because instantly you you add him to the Orlando Magic he’s your best shooter um but how much of that does the dynamic change so when you look at buddy heeld do you see a fit with Buddy heeld in Orlando I think it’s a it’s a natural fit right again we talk about shooting being our biggest weakness he is probably one of the best if not the best shooter in free agency right now outside of probably clay but clay again injuries have kind of derailed him a little bit um I think with Buddy the issue was he didn’t have that much playoff experience heading into this particular state with Philadelphia so I think it was all new to him a lot of pressure they were expected to advance with you know having the MVP in jool embiid so I really don’t put that against him too too much uh it was again his first time getting that exposure in the playoffs or you know in a big time series so I don’t know man I think in Orlando he could do really well what is surprising is it’s the first time I hear his name being brought up do during you know the off season we heard about it plenty in the in the trade that line heading into the trade that line but now in free agency we haven’t really heard his name very much so we’ll see I think it’s a natural fit for the magic if we go that route I see him more as a like Terence Ross type of role where he’s off the bench coming in and just you know gunning taking eight to 10 three-pointers a night that’s kind of the role that I see fit for him is he going to be a starting two in our team I don’t think so he is a defensive liability I know our our front office loves and our coaching staff they love that defensive mindset he is not that so I think that he would come in if he does come in I see Sixth Man seventh man coming in and again just shooting the ball lights out Off the Bench so we’ll see what happens but I wouldn’t be opposed to him being added to our team it would open up the floor drastically for France and for Paulo yeah 31 years old just coming off of a fouryear $94 million contract um the reputation of him being a shooter also was something that would open up the floor uh for Paul for France for them to be able to operate more so um definitely a name to to look at I mean when when you look at free agency man the the magic can go in so many different ways uh a name that I’m starting to hear more and more of not necessarily from a media standpoint but from the FR from from the fan base is is Gary Trent Jr another player that is able to stretch the floor and you know one one of the glaring holes that the magic have um is is our shooting guard position and this is this is the fun this is the fun part for me is that we we’re eventually very soon going to be able to get answers uh to questions that we have like how the magic are planning to uh you know roll out this team next season is really going to be telling with you know how they feel about certain players jayen Suggs um I if if you’re bringing in a a player like let’s say Klay Thompson let’s say you know Gary Trent Jr let’s say you know whoever um if you’re you’re you’re pretty much saying that I’m I’m going J Jaylen Suggs is a core is your core three on this basketball Jaylen Suggs is not going anywhere right nope so you bring in a big name at the two then you’re kind of deciding okay Jaylen sugs is going to be our point guard for the future right um and you can get away with it Jaylen Suggs isn’t you know by any means your traditional point guard right um even though he spent some time in Kaka doing that we drafted him thinking that that’s that’s what he was going to be um and he came into the NBA and he wasn’t necessarily that and that’s okay he he was better slotted at the shooting guard position but because you know Paulo and and fron that both of them are so ball dominant um it allows the magic to be a little more flexible but the idea of them bringing in a player um you know permanently at that two spot um I think it’s it’s really telling on at least how comfortable they feel uh with jayen sug running the point guard now it’s a little on the back end of that is you know Pao B Caro had an interview where he talked about man he he would want a player that can come in and be able to set the table for them and and kind of take that pressure off you know him you know carrying the basketball so much more or leading the offense um in terms of you know getting everyone into their set so yeah let’s let’s see what they end up deciding with uh there there’s so many different routes that they’re they’re able to go right and Anthony Parker was just on the pot Squad with uh Dante marelli and the guys and was able to shed a little bit of light on not necessarily what the plans are but you know they they are looking to be aggressive um in free agency and and looking to find ways to better um to better enhance the team so what from that interview what were some of the things that really stood out to you from what um general manager Anthony Parker had to say yeah so I mean I like the fact that they did they did say they were going to be aggressive right they’re going to look at every option out there they’re going to see what they can do in free agency they’re going to explore every option um also like hearing the fact that jet Howard and Anthony black have been in the gym working out they’ve been you know getting ready minutes will not be given to them so they are trying you know their best to be in shape to be ready and he did say that you can see their body changing already kind of maturing a little bit so that’s that’s good to hear again we don’t know what their roles will be next season is Anthony black going to be you know the point guard of the future is j how going to be a sixth man seventh man next year who knows but they are out there grinding um but outside of that nothing really again eye opening I think the biggest thing was for me personally the fact that they will explore you know the free agency market that he did say they’re finally in a spot where they think they’re a destination that players want to explore coming to Orlando and I think that’s the first time since he’s been here so he’s excited to see kind of how that plays out as free agency goes on as traits are being discussed um so as magic fans man we gotta be excited again for me personally we had money back in 2016 and we unfortunately made a mess out of that free agency class when we you know got bio and all that stuff that we did so it’s really the first time that we got money with a really good team in place that we can build on it so hopefully we’ll do something smart this offseason seems like Walman Parker they’re ready for it so let’s see what happens yeah you’re just just kind of highlight it real quick uh the last time that we were Heavy Hitters and free agency where we’re spending crazy money on biombo crazy money on uh on Jeff Green DJ Augustine man good good time so obviously we’re in a different situation now um but reflecting it’s it is kind of crazy how different the team looks then compared compared to now and yeah man there again I I mentioned a few minutes ago the magic can go in so many different ways um and this is what what makes it so special is that um again if the magic decided not to do nothing at all we’re we’re still going to be a very very competitive team uh the magic will get better because they’re they’re another year uh of development another year of playing together another year of um you know uh uh Jaylen Suggs improving Paulo banero improving France Vagner who had a very up and down season you know I don’t expect him to have another season like he did I I think he’s going to improve this is somebody that we hold in in high regards that we believe should be an all star next to Paulo Bank Caroll um so the the idea really should be like what can we do now um to get the right guys around Paulo and France and Jaylen but primarily Paulo like there was just some news uh you know some Rumblings about how the the the NBA they’re they’re really pushing you know for the SE the city of Seattle uh to get their own basketball team again to bring back the I don’t know if they’re going to bring back the SuperSonics that wouldn’t make a whole lot of sense um but to give them a professional team and the minute that I I heard that I’m like nope I I don’t I don’t like that I don’t like that at all we we know how how much love that dude has for his City and for you to think that you know it wouldn’t be a dream of his to to be able to Dawn the the green and yellow you’re absolutely nuts he’s obviously in a great situation we’ll be able to pay him more like this is just me thinking in the future what can we do now to make sure that he is able to be competitive at the highest level deep into the playoffs for the next decade because he is that type of player um and that and that’s the part that you know is is a little scary when we talk about uh J Howard and Anthony black I was reading an article today uh from Bleacher Report uh where they came out with an article stating uh you know what is every NBA team’s biggest fears um and they went down the list of all the teams what what would be the worst thing that would happen to each team and uh for the magic they highlighted uh you know Jay Howard and Anthony black not working out a lot ofy picks not you know being flops right um and I looked at that and I’m just like well I don’t I don’t think that that would be the magic biggest fear like I If J if J Howard Anthony black didn’t pan out um that and that’s a great thing with the Orlando the position that the Orlando Magic are in is that it they it wouldn’t hurt us right it obviously wouldn’t make us better and that would be you know a terrible way to waste you know two picks in a draft where there was really some great quality players and it’d be disappointing but the magic would be all right why because we just proved that we were we were all right um but I am expecting more from Anthony black I I am expecting more from from Jay Howard Jay Howard was a player that and our opinion if you remember our reaction from draft night we picked him way earlier than what we thought right and we were we were a little disappointed right because you know you could have got him later on same with Anthony black he was not a player that we wanted to draft the minute that we drafted him we we’re all Anthony black team Anthony black right and we’ve seen all the great things that he’s done and if they can find a way to be able to really incorporate him he develops into a player that can really be uh if he can develop his shooting and and be able to be there with jayen Suggs man that would be amazing like talk about a perfect situation so Anthony black makes everything very um intriguing because you know this offseason we’re able to see how the front office really feels with the trajectory of Anthony black like if if you believe he’s your future then why are you going to invest so much um on a on a big name player for the next three to to four years you know so it it really it really just it really does depend um because now with this draft pick what the hell do the Orlando Magic do do they draft a player well that doesn’t make sense because you red shirted Anthony black pretty much a majority of the season and you did the exact same thing with Jay Howard Jay Howard got barely any breathing room um there was no Menace for them rightfully so there there just wasn’t right um so if you do keep your draft pick which I don’t think they we’re going to do um you’re drafting for aola 100% you’re you’re not drafting a player that I believe would be able to come in and make an immediate impact yeah I mean the only thing I can think of is you draft someone because you have bigger plans of perhaps signing again a guy like Paul George Klay Thompson like a big money guy so you have to fill in your roster and you need a che contract to kind of just keeping you know in there that’s the only logic behind it or trades but I truly believe again I my feeling really is we end up trading the pick this year I I again I don’t see a need for us to add another rookie to our to our team in my mind Jay Howard is our rookie this year um so again I truly don’t think the magic will go the route of drafting someone so much so which again we’ll talk here in a few minutes about this but I really have not spent more than like two minutes looking at a draft board or looking at prospects and the range that we’re in I’m like it doesn’t matter I really don’t think that that will draft someone and if we do watch it be some random guy that we never heard about and we’re like why are we doing this let’s just trust wman like let’s let’s trust the guys they they must know what they’re doing so the draft is coming it’s less than two weeks away but in my mind again I I’m not excited for it this year I am excited about potentially trading that day and seeing what we do trade-wise but not so much uh actually drafting someone yeah I mean uh to shout shout out to yach we he sent us a text message earlier today and we were uh Al you were suggesting that we go watch the uh NBA draft and Parkplace in in the Lona area and man you know how disappointing it would be if we we went out to celebrate the NBA draft obviously this year is going to be a lot different than other years because we had more skin in the game and this year it’s a it’s a later draft Pig but imagine we we go through all that right and and for anyone also watching it and and being excited because at the end of the day you’re you’re it’s a draft pck right you’re you’re still excited um and we end up trading our draft pck for like you know three future second round picks like that that would be that would be brutal and it’s something that I can totally see the magic do yeah or or we are there and we see the magic you know announce a trade and they have traded for I don’t know Trey young they’ve traded for some other shooter that we’ve craved for years so it could go with way I I truly believe again if we do something draft day again it would not I have my odds higher on making a trade for a role player or a starting C player then I do thinking about the magic drafting someone to just stash you noola like I really don’t think that’s a plan I still have PTSD from uh draft night trades of Serge Baka and Victor Oladipo I I don’t I’m not crazy about draft DS 201 I’m not I’m not especially man that the draft has been so watered down too because you really don’t even need to watch a draft if if you really want just set set your notifications on for for chance and and W and you you’ll get it so funny cuz every year they they try to find ways to n like last year wge was like oh I’m not going to be on my phone I want to enjoy the draft or whatever the case may be but we’re still getting we’re finding out who’s getting drafted beforehand uh which is pretty crazy I mess with my wife because G I make her I make it seem like I am an expert NBA giraffe an analyst because I always get every pick right every single time it’s because I get the notification um but yeah man the the draft the draft is going to be pretty crazy because you just you just don’t know that the the magic have to worry about so many different things and really it it’s sensitive because if the magic make the wrong move it could it could hurt us and it can set us back and it can really hurt you know the trajectory of uh this team um but one thing that you can really hang your hat on is that no matter what your feelings are of you know Jeff Walman um I I have a whole lot of trust in him like you you look at uh the team that he got when he first joined to the team that we have now N9 day took us a long time man like Jeff wman you’re the man but damn man you your feet like crazy and and you know mind you a lot of luck that landed you know getting the number one pick is is helpful but the magic didn’t go Pao ban Caro and they went with Al guy Jabari Smith you know it it would have been another you know really really bad few years because uh you know obviously th those two players are are not the same so um it’s it’s it’s crazy now let’s let’s say right uh because the more more that people are talking about uh this free agency class we’re hearing more of the name Paul George and Klay Thompson we continue to hear their names being connected to the Orlando Magic um Mark s recently said Orlando continues to be mentioned by various League observers as a natural Suitor for George as well as going to say Klay Thompson the Clippers are certainly hoped to retain George in free agency but they made it clear by letting negotiations drag out to the point that they want to do it it at their price here’s my thing is um my fear is I don’t I don’t think Paul George wants to come to orlandoo like I I really I really don’t I I think that he’s comfortable in LA and I would hate for the magic to be utilize as a um way to you know get a bigger contract with the Clippers um because the magic are able to spend um but in free agency especially with these order veterans I I think that for the Magic in order for them to really be able to realistically convince any of these guys to meet us at the table and have a conversation the magic I mean we we have to be prepared the magic are going to have to overpay I’m talking about like Rashard Lewis overpay like it’s just something that unfortunately we we talk about all the reasons why uh a free agent would come to Orlando coach weather uh no state taxes team youth but it’s also it’s the money imic got money to spend yeah yeah I mean 100% I think uh I’ve said it before in the podcast you know as we as we’re leading here until the draft in free agency I really don’t see again the magic going for a big fish I don’t think that’s the route they’re going to take I don’t think they think they’re ready yet for that move and if they do I don’t think it’ll be free agency I think it’ll be via trade so as much as I’m enjoying this trust me when I get news like this on on Twitter X and you see the magic being linked to Paul George Klay Thompson buddy hee like it’s exciting man we we’ve waited many many years for the magic to be able to be linked to to names like that in free agency or via trade so you love to see it as a fan but as you said earlier our front office do not move very fast I don’t think they’re they’re ready yet to to hit that panic button and say hey we’re GNA go for this and we’re gonna try to you know build a winner now if they do don’t get me wrong I will celebrate don’t get me wrong I’ll be super excited if we wake up you know on July 1st to the news that Paul George signed with the magic or Klay Thompson for that matter That’ll be amazing but the realistic part of me says the magic do not go that route I think they do go more conservative they may add a couple role players um they keep building within and again add pieces of fit to Paulo France sus and the rest of the core um but we’ll see I I just don’t see it again paying you know 3540 $50 million to Klay Thompson and Paul George at this particular moment I don’t see the magic doing that yeah and you you take a look at some of the free agency class I mean I mean who’s to say that this isn’t the year for the magic to decide that we want to give all this money to you know Clay or or to Paul when next year frea I haven’t I haven’t even taken a look at what next year’s free agency class looks like but maybe there’s a player that the magic want that they have their eyes on like there there’s no there’s no need to rush the magic are not going to make they we’re not going to win the finals next year and not not to put negativity in the air but let’s let’s be realistic about this right uh the magic went you know seven games against the Cleveland Cavaliers and who knows what moves the magic will make but the the plan isn’t to make the the finals you know next year and and and be done with it the the plan is to to create a competitive team where you’re able to compete for finals for years to come um and that all needs to be that all needs to be thought out there has to be strategy there has to be uh factors in that you know maybe the magic front office don’t see this player develops this person like look looking going into the season the synopsis of the Orlando Magic at least from a front office perspective had to change because of you know the the rise of jayen Suggs you know it’s not something that they were I would imagine either were expecting uh a lot later on but there’s no way that they expected it to be you know this nobody did nobody did no you you’re talking about all defensive player nobody expected that if you if you were a betting man no matter how you felt about jayen the sus because the way that people felt about Jay the Suggs before the season it’s a completely different tone than than the way that people feel about him now people are ready to ship him off they were ready to write him up I I I hear dude I here the spaces and how bad people were talking about Jaylen Suggs right and then now he’s your he’s your Harden Hustle Man he’s he’s he’s everything to this team he’s he’s a big factor of what our identity is um so it’s it it’s it’s going to be interesting I would just say you know the the good news is for magic fans the magic have to spend their money whether it’s this offseason or next off season that’s right before Paulo gets paid France or already going to get paid this offseason so they only really have this this summer and next summer to make a big move uh free agency wise or acquiring a big salary player so you know if it doesn’t happen this off season let’s see what happens it will have to happen next offseason so that’s the good news if the team continues you know to do well to continue to win and they want to make a big a big move next year then we’re only a year away from that but the good news is that we are heading in the right direction the team continues to get better they’re going to continue to win more games um it’s unfortunate cuz all of us want to you know get to the the end already know what the team will look like you know a full strength and with a superstar on it but again I I just feel like this front office is doing it the right way it may not be our favorite way as fans but it’s it’s shown that it’s working um and again we have a lot of pieces and again Anthony black J Howard that we don’t know enough about are those guys you want to build around or those guys that you’re ready to ship off you know maybe next year if things don’t work out the way that we intend so we’ll see what happens but the good news is that all this will play out over the next you know you know a year or so yeah just kind of taking a quick look at uh 2025 free agency I mean you’re you’re looking at uh Paul I mean uh Rudy Gober Kyrie Irving Ben Simmons Zin Mitchell Jason Tatum Jamal Murray brenon Ingram Chris Middleton Chris Paul Julius Randle Jaylen Brunson like you got you got a lot of big names out there that you know the the magic could be in play for not saying that they’re they’re good matches just kind of shouting out some of the free agents um that would be available in 2025 um in terms of other names that we’ve heard um what makes this NBA draft pretty cool is the fact that uh the Atlanta Hawks have the number one pick and with the number one pick especially for a team that you know you were expecting for them to be competitive and um be able to make into the postseason because they got a big name like Trey young and they got dejonte Murray and whatnot um they have a a a very unique opportunity where they can say all right Trey young just isn’t working did jonte Murray that experiment just isn’t working they could really they’re in a position where they can take a very quick uh jump into their next step their future with a number one pick um and then be able to trade Trey young or dejonte Murray to be able to bring a more of a youth movement um for them to position themselves better than where they’re at for the future with that being said the big topic that we that there that the big debate that we’ve had that we’ve seen that we’ve read is should the magic trade for Trey young or should the magic trade for dejonte Murray if you had the option to choose between the two um who would you like for the Orlando Magic to bring in out of those two who would you trade for so that it’s it’s tough you’re asking me that question is tough because I remember clearly 200 what was it 18 NBA draft wanting Trey young so bad just because again if you guys listen to the podcast you know I’m a big Steph Curry fan Trey young was the next like closest thing to Steph coming out of college this dude was shooting from half court his whole entire offensive game was three-point shooting we needed shooting badly that’s s that’s off season 2 so he made so much sense and he wanted to be in Orlando like he seemed excited to come to Orlando because that was a big rumor at the time and then Mo Boma was the guy that we drafted so since back then Trey young has been my guy I’m like I I wish it was way to get him to Orlando so a part of me says he’s the one however thinking about how we’re building our team defens if minded size and scoring in my mind Murray is more of a complete player so if you can get him instead you’re getting a guy that can play defense that it’s a I mean we’ve seen it firsthand he can beat you in the fourth quarter time and time and time again he’s a clutch player he can score he can shoot the three so a better fit for us today if you were to ask me I think it’s Murray but a selfish ask and and if I was in the front office I’ll probably just straight for him because I like him as a player it’ll be Trey young just because again he brings something that we’ve never had in Orlando or haven’t had in many many many years so again if you’re thinking offense only that’s that’s really what you was trying to to go after Trey Young’s your guy for better fit I think Murray is more of a a a natural fit to to this roster today has constructed yeah I think Trey young would be Hollywood I really do I think that it would it would be the Talk of the Town I think that we would get more respect from a uh media perspective um I I think that we will be looked at as a as a team to fear um my my issue with Trey young is that you know you you could Trey young is is a player that has been especially for the Hawks he he was he was your franchise guy he he was your number one option you bring Trey young to this team he is not your number one option the magic are not going to change the way that they play uh you know to to either entice or or to you know suck up to a player like Trey young like Pao B Carroll that’s that’s your guy um and nobody’s taking that from him right um my my issue with Trey young is that Trey young is too much of a polar player like um he he changes the dynamic of your team like when you talk about your identity the the Magic’s I the the magic identity is you know being able to defend on uh being able to play both sides of the floor being able to defend being versatile being able to play different positions being a big size 6′ 10 having three four um 6′ 10 players on the court at one time and just being able to have a big presence like this is this is our identity right Trey young does not fit that identity he just doesn’t right so I don’t I don’t see try young to me isn’t isn’t a realistic option yeah the magic needs shooting um but uh even an article that I read earlier today they’re Atlanta they’re not they’re not just going to give Trey young away they’re expecting a major hall for Trey Young And even though the magic have more than enough assets um is it is it worth it like are are is the Magic in a position right now to to need forget want do they need to morgage your future do they need to give up future first round picks for Trey young now now respect to Tre young man this is a multiple uh time Allstar this is someone that can drop 30 40 points a night for you um you we talk about reputation with with with the your way of playing like you’re not going to leave him open you have to if anything he’s probably one of the players outside Steph Curry and Dame who stretches the floor out even more because you do have to guard him so far out behind the three-point line but he just changes the way that you play so much that I don’t I don’t think I don’t think Jeff Wilman would would risk messing it up right I I think that you you have something that’s good and I think that de jont Murray would be one the safer pick and I think would be a better fit as well because you know he he can play both ends of the floor um yeah he played you know shooting guard in Atlanta but in San Antonio throughout his whole San Antonio career he played the point guard so uh him and Jaylen they they could you know go back and forth and and to to think of of the tool them defending oh my God like you like they they would they would create Jaylen SS by himself creates Havoc right so I I can only imagine right um and then just kind of thinking about what you would have to give up for for Trey young uh you would have to assume that Anthony Black is gone you would have to assume that you know multiple draft picks multiple swaps whole bunch of second round picks and then you got to make the contracts work um who that that and that that’s the biggest thing when when people talk about I want to trade young I want to trade for this player I want to trade for that player players are going to have to leave like who are you willing to you’re going to have to give something up that the other team wants like are you are you ready to you know part ways with Co Anthony uh is is is Jonathan Isaac a player that from a contract wise like it is is the risk and reward you know are you are you confident in him being able to play another you know healthy season on minute restrictions that’s something that you want like you know it’s so many different things that you want to weigh out but I I I think that definitely between the two I would I would probably risk it on Murray than I would more Trey as much as I would I would not I know a lot of people are against Trey young I would take Trey young but how much he would cost that would be the the biggest thing the cost and you know he would take away too much of what makes us successful so quick follow-up question to you there so would you rather trade assets to get one of them or would you rather overpay Paul George or Klay Thompson oh overpay Magic haven’t paid nothing in the last decade we paid nothing to nobody in the last decade you know it’s it’s it’s just one of those things like for me in a in a perfect world man I I I like the idea like I like I like hearing other teams fear in the fact that man you got you got 6’1 Paulo B Caroll you got 6’1 France Vagner you got 6′ 10 you know Wendell Carter uh you got Jaylen Suggs who’s a dog like the idea of being able to add a 6′ s 68 point guard in the midst of all that who’s also a dog defensively I think what is is is it’s what you want like it’s it’s you want you want to be able to have a a massive point guard that that can play one two and three like like you you want to talk about breaking the the spectrum of positions playing position basketball the magic have an opportunity to do that like we we really we really do um and I would love to see it um so man I I would rather magic not make a crazy trade I I would rather spend money in free agency maybe make a a some tweaks here to be able to bring some uh support Off the Bench um and not not mess with it too much because the what the magic have built has been good and again this is this is a majority coming from the development of our players and our players playing you know uh improving from last season yeah that’s what makes it so tough man again to to your point you want to trade for a player you got to trade some assets and that includes again call Anthony Anthony black Jed Howard whoever it might be it’s picks so it’s it’s a tough I I’ve said it before I wouldn’t want to be you know Jeff wman and Anthony Parker right now because you got to make some tough decisions as you’re trying to you know Round Up This roster and continue to build and and take this team forward it’s not easy you have some big decisions to make but again that’s what they can pay the big bucks for so let’s see what they do yeah so we we had a segment today uh to talk about the NBA draft and we’re going to be honest with you I don’t I don’t know like I don’t I don’t know I don’t know any of the guys I I I really don’t and I I personally um I I feel I feel amazing at the fact that I’ve spent zero time researching cuz normally last decade you know the the giraffe has been like a big a big deal for us like we’re we’re breaking down videos we’re we’re doing reactions we’re we’re liking this player like every time the ringer came out with a new article of a new mock draft where we’re all hyped about it um there’s been none of that zero uh and a big reason for that is one is is a Non-Stop communication about how they’ve talked about this draft being a a weaker draft um and then two I really I I feel it in my heart man we it doesn’t make you did not play Jet Howard and Anthony black enough to be able to go out and draft another player like there’s not enough development for more young guys the only way that it makes sense for the magic to draft a player is if you make a big trade and you send out a lot of players and we have to fill those roles other than that I don’t see the I don’t see the magic drafting like wait I don’t see them making a pick I really don’t you want to know you you want a rookie this year for this upcoming season you know who your rookie is J Howard J Howard is your rookie it’s the way that I see it je Howard was was your red shirt for last season he’s going to be your rookie next year like next year next season is is a season that you you plug him more plug him more in into you know what you’re doing and I still see him spending more time with the osola magic I I really do it’s going to be a good little minute for J Howard um but man if if if you’re watching our podcast on YouTube throw some names at us who you think the magic might I mean uh we’ve talked a little bit before the episode you you were talking about your guy from uh Tristan the German kid from Colorado uh is a name that we’ve we’ve heard um we’ve heard some others but I I personally I think I think it’s it’s it’s a waste of time man all for what for the magic to uh to trade their first round pick for a bunch of seconds like I don’t I don’t I don’t think that I I just I I don’t see us doing anything with the draft I really don’t yeah I’m on the same boat man I think I’ve spent five minutes looking at prospects and it’s mainly come on Twitter when I watch someone’s video like SC report a certain player no more than five minutes to be honest so again I like a few players nothing really concrete but I’ll tell you what one little kind of thing that I’m thinking about is if we do end up drafting someone again that may mean that we’re throwing big bucks at someone in free agency and we need that player to fill the roster or we’re making a trade for multip where we’re sending out multiple players and we need that guy again to fill a roster spot that’s kind of my my behind the scenes kind of look at what may go down because again it doesn’t make any sense to bring another young player unless you’re okay with that unless you just want to have another rookie there on a cheap contract that you can kind of develop again I don’t see it but what I do think is if we do end up drafting someone it’s because we have some bigger things coming on the next day or in free agency yeah or they just don’t like the the negotiations that they’ve had in free agency or they don’t like any trade options that’s that’s the only way but again whatever player if the magic keep the draft pick whoever they draft they’re drafting for Al see the magic 100% um big big key dates for the 2024 NBA offseason you got June 26 is the NBA draft the first round at 8:00 remember that they split the first round and the second round so the day after the NBA draft second round will be at 400 p.m June 30th will be the start of free agency at 6 PM we’ve talked about it before I really wish it would go back to the midnight free agency was it was fun that way um July 12th to the 22nd NBA Vegas Summer League uh already expect did did they confirm any guys who are going to be in the summer league I think we saw names predictions usually decile like the day after the draft so we should be hearing something in the next couple of weeks okay then uh followed by October 7th first preseason game and then October 21st last day for the magic to agree to a contract extension extension with fron vogner and Jay the sug so some key dates to remember um and then that’s that’s pretty much it man so um any big things that that pops up if there’s there’s any breaking news man we’ll we’ll be jumping on and and doing a podcast if not um we we’ll see you guys in two weeks man it’s it’s a RAB anything you want to add Al no man to your point our next episode will drop on NBA draft day so after the draft first round of the draft we’ll be recording once again unless something crazy goes down between now and dead which I don’t expect um and then from there we play the free agency game and we talked about it before the episode uh if something crazy goes down that that weekend that Sunday right at 6 p.m. we’ll be jumping on the recording as well so much more to come from us otherwise again X Instagram we’ll got you guys covered there as well Orlando Magic HQ podcast presented by B online catch you guys next week for all the latest Magic news and updates visit Orlando Magic hq.com and follow us on Instagram at orlandomagic HQ and on Twitter at om magicq also remember to to subscribe to our YouTube channel And subscribe and leave a five-star review on your favorite listening platform
In this Orlando Magic HQ podcast episode:
– Latest rumors
– What will the Magic do on Draft night?
– Will the Magic go for a big fish in free agency or via trade this offseason?
– Trae Young or Dejounte Murray a better fit?
… and much more
Timeline:
00:00 Rumors and Excitement for the NBA Offseason
07:04 Addressing the Need for Perimeter Shooting
12:30 Player Development and Future Prospects
21:52 Exploring Potential Moves in the NBA Draft and Free Agency
24:46 Debating Between Trae Young and Dejounte Murray
32:59 The Magic’s Defensive Identity and Size
39:19 The Uncertainty of the NBA Draft
41:53 The Magic’s Cautious Approach to Free Agency
46:14 Looking Ahead to the Future of the Team
***
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