Orlando Magic: 3 reasons they should trade Nikola Vucevic
By Luke Duffy
3. Nikola Vucevic’s value has never been higher for the Orlando Magic
Beginning with the obvious from a franchise standpoint, and Vucevic’s value right now is as high as it will likely ever be. He is making less than $50 million over the next two seasons after this one, and the contract is structured in such a way that the number actually decreases over time.
This seems to have been designed so that the Magic could move him if they wanted to. It is a smart way to approach building a deal for a franchise player because unlike guys like Russell Westbrook, John Wall and Blake Griffin (before he was bought out), it doesn’t become a weight around the organization’s neck as time goes on.
About the only reason to not do a deal is that even with Vucevic’s trade value being what it is right now, probably a level or two below what Bradley Beal can get, and his value is off the charts, is because other franchises aren’t in a position to take on Vucevic. Even if they would like to. Teams are smarter in how they build rosters and not many have $20 million-plus they can absorb for the next two years.
Obviously, if they could trade with the Magic in such a way that the salaries worked then that would be all well and good, but there aren’t a lot of guys out there who are going to interest the Magic right now. From a numbers standpoint somebody like DeMar DeRozan of the San Antonio Spurs could be available, but does he move the needle?
He is a veteran player who could walk before long anyway as his own current deal is nearly up, making this a bad move. This is why the Boston Celtics are being talked up as the prime destination for Vucevic right now. They have a huge trade exception they could use in any deal and some young and interesting guys like Payton Pritchard and Robert Williams III.
Neither of those guys is generating much excitement with Magic fans, but it is a starting point. A bidding war doesn’t seem likely now, but look for more suitors to pop up as the deadline approaches. Some combination of picks and a young player of note is going to get the Magic listening to offers. It is the least Vucevic would get them in a trade, but what is not up for debate is the fact he value has never been as high as it is now.