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Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: Draft strategy and dreaming

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Feb 1, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel huddles with forward Aaron Gordon (00), center Nikola Vucevic (9) and guard Elfrid Payton (4) against the Indiana Pacers during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel huddles with forward Aaron Gordon (00), center Nikola Vucevic (9) and guard Elfrid Payton (4) against the Indiana Pacers during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 24, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Bucks general manager John Hammond (L), second round pick Malcolm Brogdon (13), first round pick Thon Maker (7), and head coach Jason Kidd (R) pose for a photo during an introduction press conference at the Milwaukee Bucks training facility. Mandatory Credit: Sam Caravana- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Bucks general manager John Hammond (L), second round pick Malcolm Brogdon (13), first round pick Thon Maker (7), and head coach Jason Kidd (R) pose for a photo during an introduction press conference at the Milwaukee Bucks training facility. Mandatory Credit: Sam Caravana- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY Sports /

What do you think of the Magic’s front office hires? Should fans be excited about these hires or is it much ado about nothing?

Scricca: I think so. It is hard to tell exactly who was involved with what and to what degree when it comes to evaluating front office guys. But there is a lot of NBA experience in the Magic’s new front office. Jeff Weltman was part of a great run with the Toronto Raptors with Masai Ujiri, and if that can in any way be replicated in Orlando, these hires can be considered a success. John Hammond helped set the Milwaukee Bucks up with one of the best young cores in the entire league by drafting Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker. Neither of their records is unblemished, but I believe putting those two minds together is a recipe for success.

Johnson: Fans should be excited about the new hires because the front office sets the tone for the franchise. The organization is assembling an All-Star cast for the front office. The only question with assembling so many former general managers is whether they are going to be able to coexist.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

Rossman-Reich: It is always hard to get a good sense of what a front office executive will do. We only have their previous work experience to go on and even then a lot of it is situation-dependent. But I think the Magic have hired an impressive group to run the franchise. Coming off Rob Hennigan — a 30-year-old whiz kid with very little experience in the NBA, just on age alone — to going to Jeff Weltman, John Hammond and Pete D’Alessandro is very very impressive. Consider this: The Magic went from someone who had never been in the lead chair with a staff with experience but no lead chair experience to three guys who have made high-level decisions for their team as general managers. That is a huge, huge step up. Of course, the proof will be in the pudding. Ultimately results matter. And Hammond’s record has some spots to it. And D’Alessandro was not exactly a smash success with the Sacramento Kings. This is all to say, experience is not everything. But it is a good start and should set expectations high.

Palmer: I do not know if they should be excited, but they should at least be interested. During this remodel of the front office, the Magic went the complete opposite direction they did when they were under Hennigan. The Magic added an unbelievable amount of experience and with it a lot of contacts around the league. If there is one thing to be excited about, I would think it would have to be the possibility of trades. There are not usually quick fixes in the NBA but if there is one to be found for the Magic it is through multiple trades that restructure the team.