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Orlando Magic: 3 reasons not to trade Nikola Vucevic

By Luke Duffy

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 17: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic controls the ball in front of Nerlens Noel #3 of the New York Knicks as Elfrid Payton #6 of the New York Knicks and Michael Carter-Williams #7 of the Orlando Magic play on at Amway Center on February 17, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 17: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic controls the ball in front of Nerlens Noel #3 of the New York Knicks as Elfrid Payton #6 of the New York Knicks and Michael Carter-Williams #7 of the Orlando Magic play on at Amway Center on February 17, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /
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Orlando Magic (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /

1. No viable trade packages out there

The most obvious reason not to trade Vucevic, including the two arguments already put forward, is that there simply isn’t a package out there that is enticing enough to get the Magic to make a deal. The only reason they should move forward with the Boston Celtics for example is if Vucevic goes to them and expresses a desire to play for a fringe contender.

He deserves that after all of the hard work he has put in over the course of his career, and fans couldn’t begrudge him that either. But with this not looking like it is the case, no names that have been mentioned have grabbed the attention of Orlando Magic fans. He’s not on Bradley Beal’s level in terms of value, but there are few bigs better than Vucevic right now.

That’s kind of the problem in determining his trade value though. Vucevic has always been underrated and while that’s not quite the case now, the market is saturated in big men. DeMarcus Cousins currently can’t find a team. Vucevic is due to make just under $50 million over the next two years after this one, which is not a terrible number at all.

It is just hard for contenders to absorb this when you consider what they are paying their own superstars. It is the reason the Celtics, with their sizeable trade exception, are currently being talked up the most. The league is more dominated by guards now too, although the recent MVP level campaigns of Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic show the pendulum is swinging back around.

But when you factor in what Vucevic is worth to the Orlando Magic, which is more than he would be to any other franchise given his impact on and off the court and how the entire offense is built around him, there just isn’t a realistic and enticing deal out there. Does DeMar DeRozan do it for you in return?

Or Robert Williams III, Payton Pritchard and some picks from the Celtics? If the Charlotte Hornets got involved, what have they really got? Worse still, most of these potential moves, with the exception of the Celtics, would be a sideways move for Vucevic too. You’re not getting close to winning it all with the Hornets or Spurs. This is why staying is the right thing to do.

dark. Next. New York Knicks: Pass or pursue on 5 trade rumors

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