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2017 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Nikola Vucevic

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Apr 1, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 113-110. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 113-110. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic, Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
Apr 6, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives to the net past Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

What to Look For

Nikola Vucevic is reliable offensively. The Magic need him offensively too.

For the majority of his four years, Vucevic has scored. And scored effectively and efficiently.

His offensive abilities are pretty wide and varied too. He has a solid post-up game — 0.93 points per possession on 348 post-up possessions this past season. He has a solid mid-range game — especially for a center.

Vucevic is near the definition of a stretch-5 (minus the 3-point shot, which he said he is working on).

Vucevic is a good rebounder and a near sure double-double every night.

Whether the Magic want to establish a low-post presence with Vucevic or get him in a pick-and-pop, Vucevic could deliver offensively.

That does not mean Vucevic is a perfect offensive player. His scoring went down slightly last year to 18.2 per game and his rebounding was his lowest since joining the Magic at 8.9 per game since. That was likely a product of playing more with good rebounders in Aaron Gordon and Victor Oladipo.

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There may be another explanation. And it is certainly one that is a bit uncomfortable with his offense.

Vucevic seemed to have a tendency to move further away from the basket. He took 487 shots (7.5 per game) from 10 feet to the 3-point line last year (46.4 percent) compared to 497 shots (6.7 per game on 46.9 percent). That is quite an increase.

His shooting is an asset for sure. But it also is somewhat of a crutch. He can rely on his shooting and that leads him away to the basket.

Vucevic shoots only about two free throw attempts per game. And that continues to be a weakness of his. Staying away from the basket and relying on his mid-range jumper only heightens that weakness.

Regardless of all that, Vucevic is the Magic’s best offensive player. Certainly their most proven.

And the Magic will need Vucevic’s versatility to pair with Serge Ibaka on offense this season. They will need his shooting and consistency on the block to succeed.