Quietly.
To be clear Orlando did go into the offseason with their targets set on Jayson Tatum who was offered a contract worth $19M+ per season for 4 years with maximum raises.
Fans: I don't know what the hell they're doing but the *beep* ain't workin'!
And crickets.... as Tatum (who eventually went onto be signed and traded from Phoenix to Washington) passed.
"That was huge as we had our hearts set on him and felt we had an excellent shot at getting him to at least take a look at us but it didn't work", said GM WillyJakkz.
What about James Wiseman?
"We saw the offer for a young Center and felt we could at the bare minimum get his attention with a near max offer sheet for him as well", stated the GM.
And then crickets.... Wiseman went onto be signed and traded to the Detroit Pistons.
And then the Magic's sights were set on a backup PG in Collin Sexton whose agent didn't even reply to the offer.
"What can I say, shit happens", said WillyJakkz.
With the failures of the offseason being said let's move on to what did happen.
A New Head Coach
The Orlando Magic decided to move on from Head Coach Nate McMillan for a new voice.
GM WillyJakkz: "It was very apparent the team tuned out Nate by the middle of last season and we weren't able to make a move at that time but we now have a new voice in the lockerroom in Steve Nash.
We believe his success as a high profile PG and player in this League will resonate with the team and provide a more competitive edge to the team."
As the reporters and Nash laughed one thing was apparent, what he said seemed to ring true as GM WillyJakkz stood there stoic, as if to acknowledge the fan was correct.
Head Coach Steve Nash
I'm very excited to be here in a great city with fantastic fans, a GM who has told me he has my full support for a team direction and if that means changes have to occur then we'll have to make those changes.
What'd the fan say? That *beep* ain't workin'?
However when asked about the coaching change and Nash's statement, LaMelo Ball seemed to take a different stance.
When asked about LaMelo Ball's statement GM WillyJakkz stated the following.
LaMelo Ball
Yeah I'm a Nate guy. I liked Nate. I feel maybe being a new guy the new guy should come in and get to know the players or at least speak with us before making any statements about making a change. I don't think that was cool.
"Well LaMelo seems to have been unhappy for quite some time. We passed on Jovic to bring in Mark Williams and traded for Anthony Edwards to let him know we were fully behind his development. We moved on from Ja to continue to show our total commitment to him while bringing in PG's that would be great backups to him while also drafting a young PG in Killian who LaMelo can groom and he still doesn't seem happy.
So with that said let me reiterate, Steve Nash has my full and total support for what he sees fit with the team as he will be coaching the guys."
The Magic also drafted with Pick #8 FSU stud Scottie Barnes who has been compared to CSL star veteran Stanley Johnson Jr. His status with the team remains to be seen as Orlando has shown interest in a Star veteran player in the Western Conference who is on a team that is certainly rebuilding.
They have also internally debated on engaging in talks with the NY Knicks for Luka Doncic again.
The Magic also signed defensive stalwart Royce O'Neal to a one year deal.
Jonathan Isaac in what seemed like months of talks also signed with the Magic.
Trouble brewing or much to do about nothing?
We will have to see how the rest of the offseason and or Training Camp plays out to truly know how things play out.
Go Magic!
