2016/2017 Orlando Magic Press Conference

[false9]

Greetings, everyone. As always, let's take a look back at last season first.

We continued building on the foundation last season. Our young players got heavy minutes and an opportunity to grow, and we were positioned for another top five lottery pick. But, in some aspects, last season was a disappointment. We attempted to be active in the trade market with our veteran pieces, but we did not have as much turnover as I was aiming for. Welcoming Andrew Bogut back raised some eyebrows, but we also received a draft pick in return. Most painfully, we tried maneuvering out of the tax with the Haddadi trade and a mass exodus of cuts, but an ill timed injury led us right back to it. This bad break wound up costing us more than if we had just processed a few releases, but c'est la vie.

While we had the second best lottery odds, we were concerned with falling out of the top three. Luckily, we landed the third pick and we were elated to selected Vernon Desantis. We also packaged Jordan Clarkson with two draft picks to bring in Tyreke Evans. We're looking forward to Tyreke bouncing back and demonstrating his value to the league. Additionally, Sherwood Winger is a long term project we're intrigued by. And allow me to make it unequivocally clear- we are actively shopping Tim Mozgov.

This season should be another step forward. Expect Evans to lead the way with Desantis, Ellinger, and Saric playing heavy minutes as well. We're nearly there with the young core- I know I've been impatient at times, and I can imagine how the fanbase and ownership feels. We're not done building yet, but we're in a better position compared to two seasons ago. The dawn is coming in Orlando.

I'll go ahead and take your questions now.

[NOLa.]

What was the thought process when trading for Tyreke Evans? Ellenger and Desantis still have a few seasons to go before they can be options to rely on, so the Evans acquisition was unexpected. Is the front office tired of losing? Has a collection of first rounders from other teams made you feel your team can focus on winning while cashing in on potential lotto picks?

[false9]

What was the thought process when trading for Tyreke Evans? Ellenger and Desantis still have a few seasons to go before they can be options to rely on, so the Evans acquisition was unexpected. Is the front office tired of losing? Has a collection of first rounders from other teams made you feel your team can focus on winning while cashing in on potential lotto picks?

Good question NOLa. I know a number of heads were scratched when the trade was made. This was not an impatient win now move, but a calculated gamble.

- I was beginning to tire of Jordan Clarkson. He was starting to show himself as a poor man's version of Ellinger with the same defensive liabilities and poorer passing. As Branch Rickey once said, "It's better to trade a player a year too early than a year too late." With his restricted free agency looming in two years, I wanted to move quickly.

- The remaining rookies available would have resulted in a logjam. I wasn't enamored with the wing prospects available, and while I strongly considered "Dirk Hardpeck", I knew Dario was the power forward of the future. With the frontcourt minutes filled up, it would be difficult to maximize the rookie contract playing time benefits. Compounding this would have been an escalating cost to insure these players.

-I scanned the league looking for the best value. I took a stab at Tyreke- he had a down year that could be explained by Melo's presence. I'm betting that being the focus of the team at point guard will turn things around. He just turned 27 and I'll have his Bird rights going into free agency. If he plays well, I'll have an asset people will clamor over at the deadline or in a sign and trade. If things take a surprising jump, I'll be paying max money to a player that's actually worth it. If it doesn't work out, then it's a costly mistake- but that pressure comes with the job.

[JNR]

GWR: Ellinger looked remarkably efficient in a starting role. Are you going to keep him as a starter in the regular season?

[fearthebrow]

Random Dallas reporter:

Andrew Bogut may be slow, but he does some things very well and could be a nice addition for some teams out there. What kind of return are you expecting for him? Would you be happy just getting him off the books?

[false9]

GWR: Ellinger looked remarkably efficient in a starting role. Are you going to keep him as a starter in the regular season?

In spite of Ellinger looking like a turnstile defensively, he'll play heavy minutes at both guard spots. We may experiment with bringing him off the bench with Valdez starting, but Harland is tentatively a starter.

[ballsohard]

A lot of people are protesting at firemagicgm.com, a site previously reserved for former GM Coltsguy. The major complaint is, if you take out the season where you were handed Howard, Melo, Matthews, Dragic you've got a career 30% winning percent. Whats a reasonable winning percentage goal for thi year? Are you concerned about the fans talking?

[false9]

Random Dallas reporter:

Andrew Bogut may be slow, but he does some things very well and could be a nice addition for some teams out there. What kind of return are you expecting for him? Would you be happy just getting him off the books?

Good question, random reporter. While he has suffered some skill erosion, he's still a great defender and rebounder. His contract is substantial, but it does expire after next season. I would be pleased with a young player or draft pick in return. I'm sure Andrew would welcome a spot on a title contender.

[false9]

A lot of people are protesting at firemagicgm.com, a site previously reserved for former GM Coltsguy. The major complaint is, if you take out the season where you were handed Howard, Melo, Matthews, Dragic you've got a career 30% winning percent. Whats a reasonable winning percentage goal for thi year? Are you concerned about the fans talking?

It's easy to cherry pick for an argument without any context or nuance. If I guaranteed a winning percentage of 40% as opposed to 32%, would that bring us closer to a championship? My focus is on a maximized title window, not an arbitrary winning percentage.

[Wombataholic]

You have three talented centers on your team in Mozgov, Bogut, and Desantis. Are there any plans to play all three at the same time in what some would call a "Big Package"?

[false9]

You have three talented centers on your team in Mozgov, Bogut, and Desantis. Are there any plans to play all three at the same time in what some would call a "Big Package"?

Unlikely- I plan on Artesting Mozgov; he'll be available after day 60.

Bogut and Desantis will see time together, but if you want to see a lineup with all seven footers, you may want to check out the team in DC.

[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: Is your reputation as a trading GM part of a rebuilding strategy that will slow down once your lineup matures, or will you always be wheeling and dealing?

[Wombataholic]

You have three talented centers on your team in Mozgov, Bogut, and Desantis. Are there any plans to play all three at the same time in what some would call a "Big Package"?

Unlikely- I plan on Artesting Mozgov; he'll be available after day 60.

Bogut and Desantis will see time together, but if you want to see a lineup with all seven footers, you may want to check out the team in DC.

Followup question: By "Artesting" Mozgov, do you mean he's going to foul someone hard at the end of a game, then you're going to throw a cup of soda at him, triggering a brawl between players and fans that leads to 6 members of the Magic being suspended, including Mozgov, who would be suspended for the rest of the season?

[false9]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: Is your reputation as a trading GM part of a rebuilding strategy that will slow down once your lineup matures, or will you always be wheeling and dealing?

While I have a wheelin' dealin' reputation, don't confuse activity for accomplishments. The trades are a means to an end; if there's a clear benefit, we'll make a trade, but I won't trade for trading's sake.

[false9]

You have three talented centers on your team in Mozgov, Bogut, and Desantis. Are there any plans to play all three at the same time in what some would call a "Big Package"?

Unlikely- I plan on Artesting Mozgov; he'll be available after day 60.

Bogut and Desantis will see time together, but if you want to see a lineup with all seven footers, you may want to check out the team in DC.

Followup question: By "Artesting" Mozgov, do you mean he's going to foul someone hard at the end of a game, then you're going to throw a cup of soda at him, triggering a brawl between players and fans that leads to 6 members of the Magic being suspended, including Mozgov, who would be suspended for the rest of the season?

This must be from an alternate universe. Ron Artest has shown himself to be a fine citizen.

Similar to the Artest with the Warriors last year, Mozgov will be on IR until he's traded.

[WigNosy]

We heard rumblings on Skype that a blockbuster deal was in the works if only the Magic could find a way to get out from under Bogut's contract. Do you worry if the season goes south Bogut (and his contract) might be scapegoated by fans? Do you feel his contract might hamstring you going forward as you try to make moves?

[false9]

We heard rumblings on Skype that a blockbuster deal was in the works if only the Magic could find a way to get out from under Bogut's contract. Do you worry if the season goes south Bogut (and his contract) might be scapegoated by fans? Do you feel his contract might hamstring you going forward as you try to make moves?

I'm sure those blockbuster rumblings were rumors from a blowhard, nothing more.

That was the risk we weighed when we traded back for him. Ultimately, we decided the draft pick was too hard to pass up. Fortunately, Bogut still has some gas in the tank and next year he's expiring. If he stays on the team, so be it. We'll continue to exercise patience and prudence unless the right deal comes along.

[NickMalone77]

Nick Melon; The Advocate: With Tyreke being in a contract year coming up, Do you see Tyreke being a mentor to Ellinger? What abilities if any do you think Ellinger will be able to pick up from being with Tyreke all year?

[false9]

Nick Melon; The Advocate: With Tyreke being in a contract year coming up, Do you see Tyreke being a mentor to Ellinger? What abilities if any do you think Ellinger will be able to pick up from being with Tyreke all year?

I expect Tyreke along with all our vets to lead by example and show the young guys how to be professionals. More than anything, Tyreke should make the game easier for Harland- we didn't have any playmakers last year. With less attention on him, Harland should be able to flourish offensively; I hope the preseason is indicative of that.

[Xist2Inspire]

Do you feel like you have enough talent in place to make a run for the playoffs now, or is this season just another step towards reinventing the Magic in your image?

[false9]

Do you feel like you have enough talent in place to make a run for the playoffs now, or is this season just another step towards reinventing the Magic in your image?

I suppose the first few week will be telling. Harland and Vernon have great potential, but they're both still very raw. I'm not sure if a trio of Saric, Bogut, and Evans is enough. Ultimately, I will be satisfied if our core demonstrates continued progress towards sustained title contention.