2017 Orlando Magic Free Agency Preview: The Centers

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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Zaza Pachulia, Golden State Warriors, Bismack Biyombo, Orlando Magic
Jan 22, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA;Golden State Warriors center Zaza Pachulia (27) shoots over Orlando Magic center Bismack Biyombo (11) during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Zaza Pachulia, Golden State Warriors

Per Game Table
Season Age Tm G MP FG% FT% TRB AST TOV PF PTS
2016-17 32 GSW 70 18.1 .534 .778 5.9 1.9 1.2 2.4 6.1
Career 961 21.2 .465 .748 6.0 1.3 1.4 2.6 7.0

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/30/2017.

Way back when the Orlando Magic drafted Zaza Pachulia in the second round. He was a grinder off the bench who provided a shot of energy for the team. The Magic left him exposed in the following year’s expansion draft and he moved on to the Milwaukee Bucks, through a trade with the Charlotte Bobcats.

Since then, Pachulia has carved out a career as a bit of an instigator and enforcer and solid defender. He doe snot have great athleticism and never did. But he is a master of positioning and getting under opponent’s skin. Even at 32 years old, he contributed significantly to the NBA champion Golden State Warriors.

And there is no reason to think he will slow down significantly. Or the taste of championship champagne would cause him to seek to go elsewhere.

Pachulia is not going to command a high salary. He is in the Magic’s price range if he wanted to explore the market. But that is not likely.

The Warriors likely want to bring Pachulia back — at less, if possible considering the moves they have to make — and Pachulia would probably look at contenders if he decided to leave. That is decidedly not the Magic.

And it is not like the Magic could guarantee him minutes even if he came. Like many of the centers on this list, acquiring Pachulia would be a bit of a dream.