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Breaking down possible trades for Nikola Vucevic

By Ryan Doyle

Nov 30, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 18, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) dunks the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half at Amway Center. The Magic won 102-94. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) dunks the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half at Amway Center. The Magic won 102-94. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Portland Trail Blazers

Dave Deckard of SBNation’s Blazers Edge threw out the idea of players like Al-Farouq Aminu and Mason Plumlee getting sent to Orlando for Vucevic. If this trade were to happen the Magic would definitely be getting a center in return, but a clear backup.

Plumlee would be a solid backup to Biyombo and is still developing as a player. Aminu is a good player, but he would essentially bury Aaron Gordon.

Regardless of the fit, both of these players are great returns for a player like Vucevic. The only problem is they really do not make sense for the Magic. The other problem is Portland does not have a lot of draft picks. If Orlando were to trade Vucevic, they may be looking for a few picks and a player in return.

Portland’s offseason has been very similar to Orlando’s offseason. Both organizations had hopes to land a star in free agency but failed to do so. The Trail Blazers were able to land Evan Turner and Festus Ezeli however.

The Trail Blazers have a playoff-worthy squad at the moment led by their amazing guard duo. Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum are going to be the two pieces the franchise will build around. Adding Vucevic may not be the star the team is looking for, but many feel he is in the next tier.

Vucevic would provide a major scoring boost to the Portland front court and would be an upgrade over Plumlee and Ezeli. Defensively, their starting rotation probably will not be very good. Vucevic struggles when he switches on defense and Lillard and McCollum aren’t great either.

In general, Vucevic will still be an upgrade over any of the centers on the Blazers’ roster. The trade will have to send one of their big men to Orlando and it would be Plumlee in all likelihood.

Next: Charlotte Hornets