The Hawks have formally ruled out big man John Collins (foot/finger) for Wednesday’s play-in game. And even in the event the team wins that game, Collins is unlikely to play on Friday, tweets Chris Kirschner of The Athletic.
If the Hawks win both play-in games and earn the No. 8 seed, it’s still possible Collins could play in the club’s first-round series vs. Miami. However, according to Kirschner, while the 24-year-old’s foot has improved, his injured finger remains an issue — he’s still experiencing pain and is unable to grip the basketball.
Here’s more from around the Southeast:
- Hawks wing Bogdan Bogdanovic spoke to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic about his relationship with Trae Young, his role off the bench, and the team’s postseason potential.
- Outside of re-signing Bradley Beal, the Wizards‘ top priority this summer will likely be finding a point guard. However, as Ava Wallace of The Washington Post details, president of basketball operations Tommy Sheppard said on Tuesday that the team doesn’t feel like it needs to bring in a “high-profile name or high-profile performer,” since Beal, Deni Avdija, and Kristaps Porzingis are also capable of play-making. Head coach Wes Unseld Jr. agreed: “I don’t think you need a guy that’s tasked with having to orchestrate everything. I think that’s a lot to ask for. … You try to find the best talent, the best complementary player for this group.”
- Porzingis also shared his thoughts on what the Wizards should be looking for in a point guard, suggesting that the team doesn’t need a ton of scoring from the position, per Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington. “I think somebody that can run the offense really well and that is aggressive on the offensive end, but is looking to create for his teammates and to open the game up for everybody else,” Porzingis said.
- The Magic finished dead last in the East with a 22-60 record, but they were encouraged by the progress they made this season from a developmental perspective, writes Khobi Price of The Orlando Sentinel. “I know the record doesn’t always show what’s grown and progressed, but this group of young men stayed together,” head coach Jamahl Mosley said. “There’s been a spirit on the court every single night and that’s just going to turn up another level as we walk into next year. Our guys are excited about it and the fans should be extremely excited about it because they see the way in which these young men play for one another and battle no matter what’s happening.”
- Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman agreed with Mosley’s assessment, telling Mike Bianchi during an appearance on FM 96.9 The Game’s Open Mike that the club “accomplished a lot of our goals” in 2021/22. Dan Savage of OrlandoMagic.com passes along several more of Weltman’s comments from that interview, including his thoughts on Mohamed Bamba‘s upcoming free agency.
Bummer. I really enjoy the Collins/Rayford duo, was hoping to see something. Disappointing season for the Hawks but they’ll be back. Also hopefully they keep him.
Markelle Fultz is the perfect guy for DC at pg. He’s from DC, he’s a great defender, he’s versatile, athletic & hungry. Shouldn’t be too complicated to come up with a deal that satisfies both sides
One of Suggs and Fultz should go, both of them need 30 minutes a game.
Suggs is much cheaper, has higher potential & more durable. I think they’re def gonna keep him. Markelle is a guy I’m sure they’d like to keep but Cole Anthony is their franchise player rn. He’s their best player & the guy they’re gonna be building around. Markelle for KCP & a 2nd sounds fair enough to me
What? This isn’t even remotely close to accurate.
The Magic are definitely keeping Fultz, and it’s way too soon to make any decisions on Suggs.
Cole Anthony is NOT their franchise player. In fact, he’s probably 6th man next season if he’s not traded.
…and LOL KCP and a 2nd for Fultz?! you can’t be serious
There are 96 mpg available at the guard spots. There are plenty of minutes for both of them + another guard.
Orlando is not trading Fultz or Suggs.
At least not unless it’s in a trade package that nets the Magic back a young star on a team controlled contract for at least 2-3 years. Which is very unlikely to happen.
Fultz loves ORL and the fans and franchise love him.
+ Suggs isn’t really a PG, he’s more of a SG/secondary playmaker (something like Marcus Smart when he first entered the league).
Suggs defense was just outstanding…3d best Defensive RAPTOR score amongst NBA guards.
Suggs offense is a work-in-progress, as his shooting and handle were considerably worse than they showed pre-draft. But it’s important to note that he’s had two injuries to his hands including a broken thumb on his shooting hand. Plus also missed time with ankle injury. So there’s a good chance that played part in his underwhelming shooting.
Regardless, it’s way too soon for the Magic to make any decisions about him.
Few problems, none of them are very big guards so you don’t want to play them together. It’s the problem the blazers had for years with the Lillard McCollum pairing.
Second fultz has a crazy long injury history at this point, has never even averaged starter minutes( always under 30) and at this point is guaranteed to never develop a 3. This isn’t to say he isn’t a solid player, it’s just that his value isn’t that great.
Lillard/CJ didn’t work because they both were considerably smaller and both horrific defenders. Lillard is a very generous 6’2 195lb wet and was always a terrible defender; CJ is 6’3 190 and made Lillard look like DPOY.
Fultz is 6’4 with very strong solid frame + he has a 6’9 wingspan and is a solid defender.
Suggs is 6’5 and is built like a tank, he’s already an excellent defender and well on his way to being an All-D type defender in near future.
Spacing is the question with that tandem, but IMO Suggs shooting should improve as there are no glaring issues with his form + has good FT% since Gonzaga. He also dealt with broken thumb on shooting hand. We’ll see how that evolves.
Fultz’ past doesn’t mean he’s not a crucial part of the Magic future. He has looked awesome since returning. At draft people thought he was score first type, but really he’s more of a CP3 type PG.
His playmaking, bbIQ and control of the game is impressive. He doesn’t get sped up, and just reads floor at an elite level.
He already has a solid midrange game and is an above average finisher. Even without a 3 he impacts game positively…as is, he’s a 30 mpg high quality rotation floor general that makes everyone better around him…that’s something EVERY team needs.
They both an inch shorter than you listed and no suggs makes athletic plays but is one of the worst overall defenders in the league. Fultz is good defensively but still can only guard guards and can’t shoot which is awkward guard fit with other smalls and multiple other bad shooters (Isaac, Carter,anthony) hence what I said.
What? You obviously haven’t watched the Magic much.
Both Fultz and Suggs are every bit their official listed measurements of 6’4 and 6’5.
Suggs is a great defender, it’s lol that you say he’s one of the worst. In fact, he ranked 3d in Defensive RAPTOR amongst all guards. He has high bbIQ, razor sharp defensive instincts, relentless motor…just a bull on defense.
link to twitter.com
…and Fultz defends 1-3 and more than holds his own when switched onto a big.
Fultz has a solid midrange game, very good finisher + is an awesome playmaker, makes everyone better around him.
He isn’t an awkward fit with Franz and WCJr, they’re the ones that matter. They were more than solid when they were on the floor together (+0.8 Net Rating / 58.9 TS%)
Suggs didn’t shoot well, but that was more than likely related to dealing with a broken thumb on his shooting hand for much of the season. His form looks fine and his FT% is solid all the way back to Gonzaga.
Suggs shows solid D in several Bas.Ref.categories… Offense another matter
I agree with Porzingis, they did well at the end with Satoransky and he’s a pass first point guard
Beal had earlier said he liked the idea of a taller PG that could switch… like Sato.
Sheppard & Unseld seemed to value the ability to get Beal’s approval…
Zingus just wants not Doncic
Fultz is a player who still got upside. Hoping Knicks look at him. I believe Magic will move him.
Can’t see Hawks losing to Charlotte even without Collins. But they ain’t beating Heat even with Collins. Cavs will be a nice gm. This is a good matchup.
There is no chance that the Magic are moving Fultz.
They absolutely love him, the fan base loves him, and he loves the Magic.
Fultz is 100% absolutely definite a part of their future.
Wagner, Carter, Anthony, suggs, fultz, Isaac.
Even if you assume Isaac doesn’t need/ want the ball and you just decide he’s rodman instead of Giannis that’s too many ball dominate guys and not enough shooting and defense.
I think you move fultz because he’s the only one not on a rookie deal(other than Carter) and would help u win the most next year which they don’t want to do.
That’s wrong.
Most NBA teams play with multiple ball handlers on the floor. Fultz is the primary, Franz is the secondary.
Suggs is more of a SG anyhow and when Fultz is on the floor he plays off-ball.
Cole will be playing a back up PG/ 6th man role…if not traded. Only reason he’d be in starting lineup moving forward will be injury.
Fultz is 23 and on a good contract for 2 more years and the Magic are $28m below the salary cap line anyhow + have a clear cap sheet for next 2 seasons.
Fultz is a BIG part of the Magic’s future. They are NOT trading him.
I’m sure there are quite a few FO’s that hope the Magic FO commits to Fultz and/or Anthony as their PG, and makes Suggs available. I don’t see it, but I’d be happy to accommodate it.
They’re not doing that.
• Definite starters next season:
(PG) Markelle Fultz
(SF) Franz Wagner
(C/PF) Wendell Carter
• Likely starters, but health, free agency (Gary Harris) and who they draft could change that:
(SG/PG) Jalen Suggs
(PF/C) Jonathan Isaac
• Top of bench rotation:
(SG/PG) Cole Anthony
(SF/PF) Chuma Okeke
+ Mo Bamba is a restricted free agent; if he’s retained he’ll be the primary back up C
• Fringe rotation:
(PF/C) Moritz Wagner
(SG/PG) RJ Hampton
(SG/SF) Terrence Ross
In order to be restricted they would have to qualify Bamba for over 20 mil, unlikely.
That’s not his QO amount, that’s his cap hold. His QO is $10.5m and all indications are that the Magic will make him a RFA. The question is how much are they willing to match.
Not that it matters as the Magic are $28m below the cap anyhow and they aren’t players for free agents this summer.
If DC could get Fultz, that would be great for them. But why would the magic trade him? With the skill set he has and the poise he’s shown since returning he will be an All-Star PG in the future. The gamble is his health, but he has youth on his side and Orlando got him for next to nothing so he’s still zero risk until they have to pay him. No way I trade him.
Seems that Beal is the problem here, he played with 2 great PG’s in Optimus Dime & Russ & didn’t get along with them, then they got him a run of the mill average PG like Dimwiddie, nope he didn’t get along with him neither… the common factor here is Beal, cut him loose, the team that pays him will regret it, that’s for sure!