That is a huge gamble that Orlando would decline in those years when their stars will be in their prime. That trade does not excite me at all.
Well we'd have unprotected picks from all of MIL, BOS, ORL all in the east. With so many it starts to become very likely one of them is a good lottery pick.
Why not? If they're no good we'll get another high pick next year. This isn't complicated. Get a lot of chances to swing high in the lotto. You only have to hit big once or twice, the rest you really just need talent and athleticism. Which, you'll get by default high in the lotto, unless your scouts and GM are just terrible. We're going to suck for a while.
@SharpesTriumph--just want to say that I appreciate the effort you're making in generating content for this thread that is relevant to its actual purpose. For the Orlando idea, what I've really been wanting, rather than more picks, is Anthony Black. I think he's got a chance to be an excellent backcourt complement to Scoot/Sharpe(/Banton). AB/WCJ for Ant works in either league year, and makes sense for both teams (IMO). Would also shave >$6M off next year's salary.
This is pretty close to what the Locked On guys proposed today. Mike Richman and the Orlando podcast guy proposed this trade:
If they're getting Ant I don't think there's any reason to think they will keep Fultz, I don't think they'll keep Gary Harris either and they haven't found much use for Okeke. So if they renounced those holds and keep the holds they have on the rest of their guys they could do something like this that would allow them to keep their starting C, who I don't think they'd be keen on giving up... maybe they'd even add another FRP.
Probably replace that 1st with the 2025 DEN 1st. But yeah, this is a deal I would like. I don't think it would be their first option though. Probably something they would explore if they strike out on a few targets.
Take a look at the available and more specifically the unrestricted free agents that will be available. https://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/_/year/2024 Who on that list would the Magic take a swing on, let alone wait to strike out on before pursuing Ant with Black and a pick (either their's or the Nuggets) that projects to be in the bottom third of next year's draft???
That's fair because the opportunity there is pretty wide open but I think if they haven't found a better trade than Ant for Black and one of their 2025 FRPs then they'd pull the trigger on that the second day of the draft if Joe makes it available.
I suspect Cronin and the Blazers wont make Ant available - they didn't get to see any of him with Sharpe last season and want to see how all 3 of our guards work together first. Who knows though - if Ant's comments at the end of the season of wanting to win are something he's expressed to Joe and not just a passing thought maybe the Blazers pursue something. Also I'd imagine Joe and the Blazers now know their last season win with vets plan won't work. So perhaps they commit to tank for Flag from the get go.
I have no idea what they're going to do, but this is the summer to blow it up. Trade Simons/Brogdon/Grant/Thybulle and whoever. Go all-in on the youth and tank to try to get Flagg.
Simons/RWIII to Orlando for WCJ/Black/2025 FRP Brogdon/Grant to Pistons for Fournier/Ivey/#5 Draft Risacher at 5 Draft BPA at 7 Draft BPA at 14
I can't remember which podcast I was listening to, but essentially the thought is that the GM is desperate to make a move that makes them relevant. Or he's likely dead man walking.
I watched that locked on Blazers podcast and his ( Richman's ) take on Ant was correct that Ant is a good player but not good enough to lift this team to the next level ( play in team for starting point ) at least how the team is built now. The problem is he is prolly the best trade chip they have atm so they have to use it AFTER this draft. I think this draft will give us a clue to how they plan to proceed like if they draft a guard with one of the two picks then Ant has to be gone this summer BUT if they take a forward and a center maybe power forward type then Ant is prolly here to stay for another year. I want to make something clear I do like Ant but I am coming around to the idea that kind of like Dame but different his time on the Blazers might need to end for the team to move forward. I am not totally sold on this but I am coming around but I would like to see a clearer picture on how they plan to build this team.
He may be, but dealing 2 #5 overall picks for a guy they previously traded away for a late-future-first sounds like the kind of thing that would nail his coffin shut.
