Orlando Magic Daily
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The 3-pointer is saving Nikola Vucevic’s career

By Ian Holmes

ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 25: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic is introduced before a game against the Washington Wizards on November 25, 2016 at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 25: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic is introduced before a game against the Washington Wizards on November 25, 2016 at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs
ORLANDO, FL – OCTOBER 27: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the San Antonio Spurs on October 27, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Nikola Vucevic on notice

In just 12 short months, the outlook for the center position for the Orlando Magic has done a complete turnaround.

Last year, the Magic raised eyebrows around the league when they handed free agent big man Bismack Biyombo a four-year, $72-million contract.

With the team acquiring Serge Ibaka earlier in the summer, it seemed the days were numbered for Nikola Vucevic. It caused plenty of rotation anxiety.

The Magic went from having one of the weakest defensive big men in the league in Vucevic, to having two elite defensive big men almost overnight. It was all supposed to form part of the hard-nosed defensive identity new coach Frank Vogel was trying to instill.

But as last season played out, it would be hard to argue that nothing quite went as hoped or expected.

While the Magic were unable to navigate a successful rebuild the last few years, the league as a whole began to change. In a league where size and strength were once the order of the day, defensive versatility and flexibility were now fast becoming the buzzwords of general managers around the league.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

Coming into this season, 7-footers with limited athleticism, average (at best) defense and no prospect of defensive flexibility would seem to be a dying breed. Unfortunately, that is where  Vucevic found himself positioned. It was the reason the Magic sought to make a change at center.

Most people accepted Vucevic was likely on the block. But for the same reasons that made him a potentially awkward fit for Orlando, trying to click with an up-tempo offense and flexible, switching defense, the market for a mid-range shooting big man with poor athleticism was not there.

Biyombo’s contract made him nearly unmovable. The Magic had to make do with their center rotation. This meant the Magic were paying almost $30 million at center alone while getting nowhere near that value back in production.

The Magic were unsure what they would get out of Nikola Vucevic. And as his contract comes to a close, his future with the team seemed as uncertain as ever.