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Orlando Magic: 3 silver linings from Mohamed Bamba’s injury

By Luke Duffy

HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 27: Mo Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic stretches prior to the game against the Houston Rockets on January 27, 2019 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 27: Mo Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic stretches prior to the game against the Houston Rockets on January 27, 2019 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images)
(Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images) /

3. See how far Nikola Vucevic can carry them

Bamba was never going to dislodge first-time All-Star Nikola Vucevic from the starting lineup, but it was also important that he got minutes. Vucevic is an unrestricted free agent this summer and as of now, it is unclear what the future holds for him and Orlando.

Now, however, there is no need to try and find time for Bamba. Vucevic can take on an even bigger load, though he’s already having an All-Star caliber season. Despite already averaging 31.4 minutes per game, in 2014-15, he topped out at 34.2 per game.

The playoffs should still be the goal for the Magic, even if those hopes fade with every loss. They currently rank 26th in offensive rating at 105.4, but that number improves to 108.1 (which would put them 20th) when Vucevic is on the court.

Vooch has improved defensively too, with the team having a rating in this category of 107.1 when he’s on the court, compared to 108.7 as a whole on the year. Clearly they are a better outfit when the center plays, so getting the most out of him could work for the short-term.

Unfortunately, this injury to Bamba came too close to the trade deadline to make Vucevic even more appealing to other organizations. Had this happened a few weeks back, Vucevic would have likely seen his minutes and production increase.

The Magic could have potentially moved him for more than his expiring contract was ever going to net them. Then again, with Tobias Harris — another unrestricted free agent this summer — being the centerpiece in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers, anything is possible.

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