Nikola Vucevic faces the most questions of any player on the roster this year as the Orlando Magic reformed the frontcourt. Can he push through?
Nikola Vucevic is the most established player on the Orlando Magic.
He has been the Magic’s best and most consistent player for the last four years. He has averaged 16.2 points per game and 10.7 rebounds per game. The last two years, especially, he put himself in position to be an All Star, if only the Magic were good enough to matter.
And therein lies the rub. Vucevic is the most established player on the roster, but now the most uncertain player on the roster too.
The Magic seemingly went out and found players who complement his weaknesses and potentially replace him.
The Magic acquired Serge Ibaka, the rim-protecting power forward Vucevic always needed. He can play center, but has largely played power forward in his career. Still, the Magic seemed to have the potential for a smaller lineup that fits the new age of the NBA with Aaron Gordon at the 4 and Ibaka at the 5.
The pressure was seemingly on already.
Then came the Magic’s big free-agent signing. A fresh four-year, $68-million to Bismack Biyombo that makes him the highest paid player on the team.
Biyombo too fills the gap in Vucevic’s game — the rim protection he lacks — but unlike Ibaka, he is unquestionably a center. All of a sudden, Vucevic is facing roster pressure for the first time since joining the Magic.
The incumbent certainly has many advantages in this discussion. Vucevic is the Magic’s most consistent offensive option. And for a team without a lot of those, Vucevic’s varied offensive skills and versatility on that end are valuable.
Yet, this is a team that is going to cut its teeth on defense. And that is where Vucevic has yet to establish himself.
Vucevic has progressively gotten better, but the Magic’s defense getting capped at 17th in defensive rating last year with a supposedly defensive-minded coach in Scott Skiles does not breed a ton of confidence. Vucevic is not a rim protector. And he is not particularly fleet of foot defending the perimeter or in pick and rolls either.
This is a season that may make or break Vucevic and his career. He has done well putting up numbers for a Magic team without much prospects. Now the team is determined to win and Vucevic has to find his place on it.