5 NBA players in need of a trade in 2018-19
3. Nikola Vucevic
Nikola Vucevic deserves credit for putting up solid numbers over the years, providing stability throughout his team’s ongoing transition period. With that being said, he’s basically become the star face of a lost era of Orlando Magic basketball, and a borderline star at that.
Vucci Mane has heard his name pop up in trade rumors for years now, but this time it feels like it’s finally going to happen. The 27-year-old big man is on an expiring contract and could be deadly as a sixth man supplying the scoring punch off the bench of a playoff team.
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Vucevic has averaged a double-double in four of his last six seasons, and though he’s not the best defender, he can clearly score, rebound and spread the floor to the mid-range. In a reduced role in a winning environment, he’d be quite an asset, especially since there’d be no long-term baggage attached.
However, his value to the Magic is clearly at an all-time low. His numbers were respectable enough at 16.5 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game last year, but he is who he is at this point. Orlando’s timeline has changed, and with Mohamed Bamba being drafted sixth overall, the frontcourt of the future is in place.
Between Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac and Bamba, the Magic already have a problem on their hands trying to figure out what positions and lineups will maximize their skill-sets. There’s no room for Vucevic in that equation, and that’s without mentioning Timofey Mozgov, Khem Birch and Jarell Martin.
Nikola Vucevic is a good basketball player and he’s still in his prime. He was miscast as a franchise pillar and as a defensive anchor, but on a better team in a more appropriate role, he would do well. For both team and player, a parting of ways would be for the best.