Solving the center ordeal of Nikola Vucevic, Bismack Biyombo

The Orlando Magic created a logjam at center with the signing of Bismack Biyombo. It gives Frank Vogel options for Nikola Vucevic and his lineups.

Rim protection was something the Orlando Magic really needed last season. Now, with adding Serge Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo to the team, that will not be a problem anymore. The Magic now have a lot of options to run out at center and have forced an identity onto the team with their offseason acquisitions.

Still, where is the fit for all these players?

The Magic already have Nikola Vucevic, who has been their starting center for four seasons now. There are legitimate questions as to how Vucevic fits into the rotation now and even whether he retains that starting role or what his role on the team might be. Bismack Biyombo is a solid center without doubt and with his large salary, he is the highest paid player on the team, there is a pressure to play that investment.

First of all, it may seem like it makes sense to trade Vucevic considering Biyombo’s presence on the team. But it really does not.

No discredit to Biyombo, but Vucevic averaged 18.2 points, and 8.9 boards last season. He is no push over and has a skill the team needs.

Vucevic’s numbers are very impressive. In fact, Vucevic is arguably one of the best centers in the league. Trading his great offensive skill would not be a smart move, because he still serves a purpose in Orlando. A big one at that.

The Magic will need scoring and Vucevic’s ability to stretch the floor at the center position has some value. The next question then becomes whether Orlando can run big lineups featuring both Vucevic and Biyombo.

Biyombo is strictly a center, so there is no moving positions for him. Vucevic potentially can play power forward, but he already has some problems guarding fast centers, let alone power forwards. It is apparent these two would have to share minutes in another way.

Vucevic pairing up with Serge Ibaka seems like a great starting duo, and would work off each other well. Ibaka would be the defensive anchor Vucevic lacks, and Vucevic would be the offensive spark to allow Ibaka to play closer to the basket or roll hard to the rim on pick and rolls.

That is not to say Ibaka is a terrible scorer, and Vucevic is a terrible defender. Ibaka has the ability to shoot mid-range shots and even the occasional three. Also, Vuecvic averaged 1.1 blocks last season, which is decent in that category. So maybe those two together is not as necessary as you think.

Biyombo and Ibaka on the other hand, would be some scary good defense. Virtually no team would have a chance getting to the rim with those guys guarding it. On the bad side, offense would be sluggish, especially if Aaron Gordon is starting at small forward, which seems likely considering the Magic’s logjam now in the post.

Still, Vucevic could work off the bench to provide that offensive boost.

Last season, Vucevic suffered a groin injury that sidelined him for 13 games. But, in the three games back from injury, Vucevic averaged 23.7 points on 68.1 percent shooting off the bench. He is definitely good off the bench, and could still be managed to play the final minutes of a close game.

Although, if the Magic want a complete balance in offense and defense, they should start Vucevic like usual. Biyombo would still play a big role off the bench, giving Orlando rim protection when Ibaka or Vucevic are resting. He could be the consistent, tough sixth man they need.

In actuality, head coach Frank Vogel will see who should start by observing them in training camp. It could be a very fluid situation.

Vogel could side with Vucevic for his scoring ability, or Biyombo for his shot blocking strength. Whatever happens, it is easy to see the Magic have depth.

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All in all, if the Magic want to win games on a regular basis, their depth is going to make it happen. So, Vucevic and Biyombo will have to play their best to be an intimidating center combo in whatever combination Vogel opts to play them.