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2017-18 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Nikola Vucevic

By Zach Palmer

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 10: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic follows through on his jump shot during the NBA game between the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 10, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers defeated the Magic 113-105. 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. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 10: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic follows through on his jump shot during the NBA game between the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 10, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers defeated the Magic 113-105. 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. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /
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Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee, WI – APRIL 9: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 9, 2018 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Final Grade

NIKOLA VUCEVIC. C-. . C. Orlando Magic

Nikola Vucevic is not a bad player if he was used in the correct role. But the Orlando Magic have consistently not done that. And, really, the one time they did try, Vucevic complained about it convinced he was a starter and this was his team. He earned that entitlement simply through longevity. That does not mean it is right.

Vucevic is a very useful bench player on a playoff team that needs some volume scoring to keep the game within reach.

With the Magic, Vucevic is a high-usage starter who is inefficient and consistently cripples the Magic on both ends of the floor.

Ideally, for Vucevic he is traded to a situation where he is placed on the bench and used in a role similar to Greg Monroe with the Boston Celtics.

Vucevic can do what Monroe does as well as space the floor more effectively. Vucevic’s next coaching staff likely will attempt to move him more to the corner on his 3-point attempts. That will tremendously help his efficiency.

But, as we see in the regular season, Vucevic will continue to be exposed on defense. And if anybody is watching the Playoffs right now, it is clear teams will continually attack the weak link on defense. Vucevic would be exposed and benched fairly quickly in the Playoffs.

It is hard to justify starting that kind of player and using him as such a major piece of the offense. The Magic’s problem has always been relying on players to do more than their ideal role. Vucevic has been a victim of that as much as anyone.

Vucevic is not a bad player. But the situation that he and the Magic currently find themselves in, is not healthy.

Next: 2017-18 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Jamel Artis

It is time for the Magic to cut bait for the betterment of both parties.