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Orlando Magic: Grading Nikola Vucevic’s 2019-20 NBA season

By Luke Duffy

SAN ANTONIO, TX - FEBRUARY 29: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic reacts after a basket against the San Antonio Spurs during first half action at AT&T Center on February 29, 2020 in San Antonio, 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. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - FEBRUARY 29: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic reacts after a basket against the San Antonio Spurs during first half action at AT&T Center on February 29, 2020 in San Antonio, 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. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /
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Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Nikola  Vucevic’s weaknesses

Unfortunately for Vucevic, as has also been the case for a number of years, all of the good that he routinely brings to the table come with a clear caveat at this point. Not only is the center position less important than it used to be, but the skill-set of Vucevic and how good he can be as a player has already been determined.

At his absolutely best, he is capable of being an All-Star and playing like one for long periods of time. As things stand, the Magic do not have another player who is close to being on that level. Jonathan Isaac looked like he was on the way, which is what made his ACL tear even more devastating in the moment.

Related Story. 50 greatest NBA players not in the Hall of Fame. light

We know what Vucevic is. The league knows what Vucevic is. Magic fans know what Vucevic is, and that is somebody who can get you to a certain point, but no further. For the next couple of years, if the Magic keep on going as they are and assuming they don’t pull something out of the bag in the way the Miami Heat have done, what we see now will continue to happen.

Vucevic putting up big numbers, leading the organization to some notable wins, and going home early in the playoffs. In many ways there isn’t a worse place to be in the NBA, although fans who lived through the previous botched tank attempt will take winning seasons and playoff basketball, no matter how brief, all day.

But that is clear, and has been for a couple of years, is that Vucevic as this team’s best player has a clear ceiling that has now been hit multiple times. There isn’t a lot of negative he brings when on the court, which is brilliant.

But with $75 million remaining on his deal and a surplus of centers available around the league, the main weakness he is bringing to the Magic at this point is how he is holding them back in the long-term from growing into an even better team. This is through no fault of his own, and is sad to point out when you consider how much Vucevic gives to the franchise and that he clearly cares.

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