Trying to make this work for the Magic. CJ is exactly the skill set they need, even if he is 2 years older than KCP. I saw Magic might be targeting Simons, who is for sure a better fit, AND has $3-$4M less left on his deal this year and $2.4M less all of next year. But, if it doesn't come together there I think CJ should be the Plan B.

In addition to CJ is:

• Javonte helps win-now (value is a second round pick)

• Antonio Reeves a young second unit/ 10 mins a night SG

• future second round pick (I don't think ORL would love sending out a first, but if they move one of both of their firsts this year they don't have to pay a first round pick scale contract next year. Better to defer to 2026 or beyond Last thing for ORL is the payroll situation this leaves them in for next year. I did the math-- this adds exactly 0.1M to their 2025-26 payroll from what Fanspo currently lists it at. 2026-27 $50M+ comes off w KCP and CJ both gone, so no risk of a repeater tax. Not bad.

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Pels are doing this to drop payroll. They turn their 2027 Chicago second rounder (30-40??) into Toronto's 2025 pick (35ish) so just move it up in time by 2 years, get Jett Howard, and some expiring money. I don't think Howard would be a sticking point for them, but to do this w Magic and not break up their core Howard has to be included.

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I had Howard going to DET, the ORL first to Pels, and no Toronto pick to Pels, but with DET already having Holland and Thompson, Idk if they want to cram in another young wing. They already have too many point guards, it's time for them to start thinking about fit.

Paying Cole Anthony next year is worth a second round pick, sending out the Hardaway contract is worth a second round pick, the Toronto pick is... a second round pick, fuck it, add em up and you get a late first. Solid value for DET to consolidate those (there's only so many spots on a roster-- one late first round player you can give minutes to is better than 3 borderline G league players from the second round), and flip Anthony again next year.

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Again, I think Magic should make a run at Simons first. They could resign him in 2026-27 w some of the money they're paying KCP, and he fits great as an additional scorer+playmaker. But if not, Magic have a shot at the ECF right now- they wouldn't have signed KCP to a 2+1 if they didn't believe that. As pushing chips to the middle goes, CJ's 20-4-4 for 2 years of playoffs is pretty fkn good.