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2019 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Nikola Vucevic

By Joe Buckley

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)
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) /
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Kyle Kuzma, Los Angeles Lakers, Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 7: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers fights for position against Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic at STAPLES Center on March 7, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Winds of Change

By Joe Buckley

The change that is coming for Nikola Vucevic has arrived in a pair, and a tall pair at that.

Jonathan Isaac and Mohamed Bamba are two young, long, modern bigs who combine for a terrifying wingspan of defense. They are also talented enough to shoot and make plays.

The Orlando Magic have clearly stated this defensive pairing is going to be the basis of their future, a message Vucevic might not enjoy hearing.

It makes sense, of the Magic’s many weaknesses over the years, defending the paint has been one of the most prominent. And Vucevic has been one of the largest culprits of all in that respect.

Now they want to stress the opposite.

Both Mohamed Bamba and Jonathan Isaac are young and raw. Both need time to develop. But time comes in two forms: the overall version, that we all experience, and minutes, that only NBA players taste. Those two need both. And eventually the Magic will want them to take over things.

Vucevic is already proving himself to be a valuable resource and a solid veteran. He has embraced his role taking Bamba under his wing. It is admirable that he does not see Bamba as a threat but as a teammate. Bamba will benefit from Vucevic giving him whatever tips he can.

But there is still no escaping the next reality: Vucevic’s contract is set to expire at the end of the year. That will make him a valuable trade chip too. The expectation is Orlando will move him to make way for Bamba to start at the end of the year — or to free up the spot for next year.

It feels like Vucevic’s long tenure with the Magic is coming to an end one way or another.