Orlando Magic Daily
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The Orlando Magic should not trade Nikola Vucevic… yet

By Ricky Scricca

Mar 20, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives to the basket as Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 112-109 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives to the basket as Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 112-109 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 11, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; With less than a minute left in the game key magic players watch the game from the bench (left to right) Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) and guard Evan Fournier (10) and forward Aaron Gordon (00) and guard Elfrid Payton (4) and forward Terrence Ross (31) during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. The Cavaliers won 116-104. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

No rush to trade

The only reason to trade Nikola Vucevic right now instead of later would be to get additional draft picks for 2017, costly free agent talent for the 2018 season or to downgrade talent and prepare to tank, shifting money around to other positions. If the Magic want picks or cap space for 2018 or 2019, they can always trade him later.

In 2017, Orlando has four picks. That means four new young players hoping to break into the rotation.

As Magic fans are well aware, Mario Hezonja has had a very difficult time doing exactly that. Whether a young player can break into a rotation obviously has a lot to do with how good he is, but there also needs to be available minutes. Trading for another 2017 pick would just mean trading for a prospect who won’t be able to play.

The Magic could also package Vucevic with another pick or two to move their 25th pick up into the lottery. That would mean a second chance at an elite prospect without having to worry about finding minutes for him.

But, as Orlando Magic Daily writer Zach Palmer argued in a recent column, having four picks might be a perfect situation for the Magic. Drafting four new prospects would mean filling roster holes with young players with higher ceilings, instead of repeating last offseason’s mistakes and adding mediocre veterans.

If necessary, they could use the NBA’s new two-way contracts, which allow teams to keep players under contract while having them play in the G-League, to develop their second-round picks without having to use a roster spot on them if they are not ready to contribute.

When and if they become rotation-level players, they can have a shot at becoming a member of the Magic’s future core.

Having four picks in the 2017 Draft is a sweet spot. Acquiring more picks could be too many. And having fewer picks would hurt, even if it means moving up in the draft. On the other hand, the Magic could absolutely use additional picks in the next few drafts, all of which will be extremely important.

That means Orlando should not feel pressured to use Vucevic as a sweetener in a draft-day trade unless it truly improves the team. They can wait when his trade value improves, then cash in.

The Magic learned that patience is a virtue this past season. They would do well to stick with that principle and not move their assets until they can be assured of a good return.

Next: Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag: Draft to the Future

Their best course of action is to see what Vucevic gives them on the court, continue gauging the market, and not strike until a golden opportunity arises.