Orlando Magic Third Quarter Review: Answering the big questions

What is Nikola Vucevic’s value?

This will remain a big question. But again, a month ago it was asked in terms of the trade deadline.

No deal ever emerged involving Nikola Vucevic and the Magic seem prepared to go forward with him as their starting center. Bismack Biyombo is still lurking off the bench and is a better shot blocker, but Vucevic has proven himself a better overall option.

Vucevic’s defensive improvement this year has been one of the best developments this season. it has increased his value to the team and made it perhaps even harder to trade him should it come to that this summer.

Vucevic is averaging 18.3 points per game and 11.0 rebounds per game since the All-Star Break. His shooting percentage is still low at 40.0 percent, but Vucevic is increasing his raw scoring production.

Orlando Magic

Defensively this year, Vucevic has been stellar adding to his value and importance.

Vucevic is on pace to set a career high in defensive win shares — he has 2.6 already this year, his total from last year’s entire season. He is also posting a career-best 2.5 defensive box plus-minus this year. Essentially, Basketball-Reference estimates the Magic are 2.5 points per 100 possessions better with Vucevic on the floor over an average player.

Vucevic is still not the best rim protector. He gives up 53.9 percent shooting at the rim (still better than last year’s mark, but only slightly so). But Vucevic has greatly improved his defensive positioning and awareness.

The fourth quarter should see Vucevic regaining a more prominent role in the offense and should see him return to his star numbers from previous years with the Magic.

The trade rumors will surely pick up again after the season. Vucevic’s contract is still a bargain and only increasingly so moving forward.

Orlando should still view him as a pretty valuable player.