sagegrouse
Member
I think (ergo sum) JJ and LeBron have talked about this for hours.
NBA 2024 Offseason Discussion Thread
- Thread starter nmduke2001
- Start date
No doubt. But LBJ has been known to have shifting views. Let's see how it goes. I'm happy to eat crow if Bronny doesn't get off the bench much...
kAzE
Member
5 years $224 for Franz Wagner seems like a massive overpay… I hate this for the Magic. You can understand why they had to do it, but that price for a pretty mediocre shooter really hurts. That’s the price tag for an all-star, and I think Wagner is more of a 3rd or 4th option on a contending team.
The question is what will that contract go for after the new TV deal? It might seem like a bargain relative to what’s coming in the near future.
kAzE
Member
It could be a fine deal from a vlue standpoint, but I just don't like the fit with the team's franchise player (Paolo). To me, Wagner is basically a bigger (and better defensive) version of Josh Giddey. OKC's best player, SGA, is similar to Paolo in that they both do most of their damage in and around the paint offensively. Giddey being on the floor effectively allowed Dereck Lively to sit in the paint and constantly disrupt OKC's ability to get to the rim. Maybe they will eventually trade Franz, but giving him a long term deal kind of hurts Paolo's potential while he's on the team IMO.
So, they did the right thing by retaining an asset, but I kind of hope they trade him.
SkyBrickey
Member
I'd be surprised if some version of this conversation hasn't already happened.
Bron, I'm excited to have him on the team and I think he's got a bright future, but you know everybody's got to earn their playing time. That's only fair to all the other guys. And I know that's how Bronny wants it.
Yep, Coach, I got it.
Of course, doesn't mean they won't disagree midseason on whether Bronny has earned minutes.
The more concerning conversation will be the one LeBron has with Jeannie Buss after the above conversation. Maybe we can roleplay it. I'll be LeBron. I have the same hairstyle and physique*.I'd be surprised if some version of this conversation hasn't already happened.
Bron, I'm excited to have him on the team and I think he's got a bright future, but you know everybody's got to earn their playing time. That's only fair to all the other guys. And I know that's how Bronny wants it.
Yep, Coach, I got it.
Of course, doesn't mean they won't disagree midseason on whether Bronny has earned minutes.
Hey Jeannie. Isn't the coach supposed to do exactly what I say?
*If LeBron weighed what he does but was, say, six feet tall.
SkyBrickey
Member
That's the SNL skit version...
Nah, I really am 6'. Unfortunately, I really am 260.
DBKilby
Member
It is a massive over pay. The new CBA basically caps teams to 2 max guys so Paolo will be the other which means they don't have a chance at a title with no elite guards. I just saw the Raptors give Barnes and Quickly a combined $400 million and I think those 2 are at best 4th and 5th best players on a championship team so there window is closed before it even got started. These contracts are out of hand.
SkyBrickey
Member
Wow. So the Magic just bet their future on a SF who shot 28% from 3 last season. That's quite a gamble. He is only 22 years old. Right place at the right time.
JasonEvans
Host, The Duke Basketball Roundup
Well, I will pen a bit of a defense of this signing...
Wagner was considerably better from 3 two years ago than last season when he hit a reasonable 36% from deep. He has consistently been an 85% FT shooter in his career which indicates a guy who has the mechanics to be a pretty decent 3-point shooter. How does this deal look if Wagner is a consistent 35-37% from 3? Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are right in that 35-37% from 3 range and no one complains about their results.
Wagner was considerably better from 3 two years ago than last season when he hit a reasonable 36% from deep. He has consistently been an 85% FT shooter in his career which indicates a guy who has the mechanics to be a pretty decent 3-point shooter. How does this deal look if Wagner is a consistent 35-37% from 3? Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are right in that 35-37% from 3 range and no one complains about their results.
SkyBrickey
Member
All good points. I'm a Magic fan because of Paolo and Wendell. This just seems like a big gamble to make on Wagner at this stage at age 22 with his productivity. The Magic must feel really confident in his future.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have ourselves a Magic fan! Now that that mountain has been climbed we should next endeavor to find a Hornets
fan!Their Hairnets, like their NFL cousins, do a good job of providing the foundation for the respective league standings...the ownership ineptitude is impressive.Ladies and gentlemen, we have ourselves a Magic fan! Now that that mountain has been climbed we should next endeavor to find a Hornets
SkyBrickey
Member
Haha. Am I really the only one?? Ok, maybe I'm just Paolo and Wendell fan.Ladies and gentlemen, we have ourselves a Magic fan! Now that that mountain has been climbed we should next endeavor to find a Hornets
No, you’re not the only one; I like them, too, though not nearly on the same level as the Celtics.
As for the Magic, I just really like Paolo Banchero’s game. He has elite talent. I’m especially impressed by how well he sees the floor and passes; that’s my favorite part of his game.
like Wendell Carter okay, but that’s entirely due to the fact that he went to Duke. I don’t enjoy watching him play. He’s no Paolo. And Carter’s mom kind of killed it for me.
