The Close Up - Offseason Outlook with Keith Smith

In this episode of The Close Up we are joined by Keith Smith and we discuss:
- Magic cap space situation heading into the offseason
- Franz and Suggs extensions
- Magic rumors
... and much more.
***
The conversation with Keith Smith focuses on the Orlando Magic's performance during the season and their potential moves in the upcoming summer. The Magic showed significant improvement throughout the season and exceeded expectations. The team has a bright future with young players like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
The conversation then delves into the new CBA agreement, which aims to bring spending teams down and lower spending teams up. The agreement introduces penalties and restrictions on high-spending teams and encourages teams to spend in the offseason. The Magic have a clean cap sheet with several options for creating cap space. The discussion also touches on cap holds and bird rights, which impact a team's ability to re-sign their own free agents. The Orlando Magic have a two-year window of flexibility in the upcoming offseasons to make moves and bring in new players. They have significant cap space this summer and next summer, allowing them to potentially sign or trade for big-name players.
The team is well-positioned to make offers for stars that become available. However, the availability of star players in free agency is limited, so trading for a star player is more likely. The Magic have the draft capital and cap flexibility to make a trade for a star player if the opportunity arises. They also have the option to sign solid free agents using the room exception if they go under the cap. The future of players like Gary Harris and Goga Bitadze is uncertain, but there is a possibility they could return to the team.
***
Timeline:
00:00 Introduction and Recap of the Magic's Season
14:09 Understanding the New CBA Agreement
28:12 The Significance of Cap Holds and Bird Rights
33:29 The Orlando Magic's Two-Year Window of Flexibility
42:43 Trading for Stars: A More Likely Scenario
53:38 Draft Capital and Cap Flexibility for Big Moves
56:41 Signing Solid Free Agents with the Room Exception
59:05 Uncertainty Surrounding Gary Harris and Goga Bitadze
***
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[@blaisereed-jenkins8362]

Paolo can easily become an MVP candidate not being bias I'm speaking facts I'm aware of the competition but Paolo has what it takes to be an MVP

[@YourWorstNightmare3333]

Facts

[@blaisereed-jenkins8362]

@@YourWorstNightmare3333 Yes indeed

[@maniacslap1623]

💯 knew he was a star in the regular season. Then the playoffs happened. Bruh legit legit. He gone be in the high 20s next year definitely but I wouldn’t be surprised if he average over 30 either. A good point guard could really open up the whole offense.
We in this bih!!!

[@blaisereed-jenkins8362]

@@maniacslap1623 I agree Paolo is on the rise for sure

[@kindstakepool8185]

Love Keith Smith

[@louisrosario9522]

If we don’t see the writing on the wall of what we need to get past the teams in front of us lm going to give up on the front office!!!

[@courtcousinsnba]

Great stuff! Forgot to link Keith's work in the info from what I see

[@danielhicks4040]

If Markelle Fultz is on our roster next season I’m gonna lose my shit

[@maniacslap1623]

Facts. And I had a lot of hope for bruh but after that last injury it’s like the mf forgot how to pass lol

[@danielhicks4040]

Caleb Houston is not good. I just don’t see it

[@AngelRivera-uv3zw]

I'm over Caleb Houstan too. It's time to move him.

[@judelag7271]

He's 21 years old and he doesn't get enough opportunities. As a 3 point shooter, he needs consistent minutes to get a flow of the game. I'm willing to bet a 21 year old player is not yet finished.

[@maniacslap1623]

Naw we gotta keep Caleb. It’s not bad if he’s the end of the bench right now.
Chuma can go. They clearly like Caleb more than him and Jett’s going into year two.
So Cole, Moe, AB, JI, Jett and Caleb would be your bench. With either Caleb or Jett being the odd man out in the playoffs.
Gary, Kelle, Jingles, Goga. Gone.
And then we sign a point guard to replace Gary.
Championship.