Orlando Magic: 3 reasons they should trade Nikola Vucevic

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Orlando Magic (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /

2. Let him contend

Turning from the needs of the franchise to that of the player, and really the saddest part about Vucevic’s career at this stage is that he’s never got to seriously contend for a championship. You don’t have to feel sorry for him of course, he’s made a ton of money, he is the face of a franchise and has the kind of settled existence many players envy.

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Although we are told winning is everything, and to most guys it is, there is a lot to be said for financial stability and building a life in one place. Vucevic has never publicly spoken of his desire to go elsewhere and win, preferring to try and do so in Orlando. But at this point, it is fairly obvious that true contending won’t come for Vucevic while in his prime with the Magic.

To do that he would have to go elsewhere, and after giving his all to the organization, you could not begrudge him that. Vucevic never complained even when large sections of the Magic fanbase had turned on him. He never tried to force his way out of town then, instead playing his way into the position he currently finds himself.

Vucevic has given his all for the Magic, and as only the sixth player in franchise history to be named an All-Star more than once, he has joined some illustrious company. He continues to climb the Magic leaderboards and as a result of leading the team back to the playoffs twice (despite some shaky performances once there), he is going to be fondly remembered forever.

Certainly, he is going to go into the Magic Hall of Fame, although retiring his jersey may be some way off yet. With all of the goodwill that exists between players and fans and the effort he has put in, Vucevic deserves to try and win a ring elsewhere. He would go with the blessing of everybody, and it doesn’t hurt that the aforementioned trade value is looking healthy right now too.

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