Orlando Magic: Complete grades for the 2019 NBA offseason
By Luke Duffy
Re-signed Nikola Vucevic
In a move that surprised some, the Orlando Magic re-signed Nikola Vucevic to a four-year, $100 million deal, to ensure he plays out most of the remainder of his prime in Orlando. You can go either way with this one, but what is puzzling is the money involved in bringing Vooch back.
It is unclear exactly who the Magic were bidding against in order to ensure Vucevic returned, and in doing so they have tied up a lot of money to a roster that can not yet be considered a contender. It is also possible that having Vucevic as their best player has taken them as far as they can go.
This will be an even bigger issue should Mohamed Bamba show signs of being the player it is hoped he can be.
Khem Birch was also brought back for two more years, his defensive abilities a real reason for the Magic’s late-season surge last year.
Given that there are plenty of capable centers in the league that could be gotten for a better price, this could be seen as a negative and safe move by the front office.
But letting Vucevic walk was too big of a risk. The Magic don’t attract top-tier free agents unless they are contenders and allowing their best player to leave didn’t make sense either.
The price was steep, but Vucevic was a first time All-Star last year. It is hoped he can replicate this success again this coming season.
He has averaged a double-double in five of his seven campaigns in the pinstriped blue and is building his case as a top-15 all-time player for the Magic. That is a lot to give up when there’s been little else to cheer about since 2012.
This franchise is getting back on its feet and Vucevic is a large reason why.
Coach Clifford runs the offense through him predominantly and it worked to great effect last season, so the hope is with Vucevic continuing to expand his game away from the basket that this will continue.
The Magic will be good and likely a playoff team at least while Vucevic is around. That is good enough. For now.