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2021 NBA Trade deadline: Bradley Beal and four players who need rescuing

By Larry Hammonds

Feb 6, 2019; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) argues with Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) following a play during the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2019; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) argues with Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) following a play during the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Orlando Magic
NBA trade deadline (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /

NBA trade deadline rescue candidate No. 2: Nikola Vucevic

The Orlando Magic are yet another team holding back a star player. Despite playing in the inferior Eastern Conference, the Magic have only garnered two playoff appearances since Nikola Vucevic’s arrival to the sunshine state, including just one season finishing above .500.

To be fair, Orlando has made some quality moves over the past few years, but injuries have constantly held them back. For most of his young career, Jonathan Isaac has been injured and has missed the entire season due to a knee injury he suffered late last season. Aaron Gordon has also missed significant time this season, in addition to losing Markelle Fultz for the rest of the season, and rookie Cole Anthony is currently out indefinitely with a rib injury.

As the NBA game became more 3-point centric, Vucevic adapted his playing style to keep up. From 2012-2016, 0.06 percent of his shot attempts came from behind the arc, compared to 21 percent from 2017-present. Not to mention he’s averaged a double-double in each of the last three seasons and seven of his nine seasons with the Magic. He’s currently averaging a career-high 24.6 points to go along with 11.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game while shooting a career-high 40.7 percent from 3-point land.

Vooch is already 30 years old and under contract through the 2022-23 season. He’s likely hit his peak as a player, and it may be in his best interest, as well as the franchise’s, to find a title-contending suitor for the former USC Trojan.