Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

2019 Orlando Magic Season Review: 5 questions for the Orlando Magic’s offseason

By Philip Rossman-Reich

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 28: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Detroit Pistons on March 28, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 28: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Detroit Pistons on March 28, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic, Alex Len, Atlanta Hawks
ATLANTA, GA – FEBRUARY 10: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic posts up on Alex Len #25 of the Atlanta Hawks on February 10, 2019 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Will the Orlando Magic re-sign Nikola Vucevic?

The summer begins and ends with this question. Everything the Orlando Magic are and can be is determined with what the team does with Nikola Vucevic.

This is a question that is complicated on many level and takes weighing many factors.

How much is the team willing to step back if they lose their best player? Are the Magic’s young players ready to take over? How much and for how long do you play someone who still does not seem like he is part of the long-term plans?

There are answers to these questions on both sides of the debate that are perfectly reasonable and logical. Magic fans have been debating this question all season, not quite sure what to believe in Nikola Vucevic after six years of inconsistent defense (at best) and seeming stat padding.

Vucevic had the best year of his career. He was legitimately an All-Star after averaging 20.8 points per game, 12.0 rebounds per game and 3.8 assists per game. Orlando ran its offense through him and while it was not good by league standards, it was stable and reliable enough. The Magic found their groove at the end of the season.

But it will be hard to forget how out of rhythm he looked in the playoffs. Vucevic struggled to get anything going averaging 11.2 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in the five-game series. He made just 21 of 58 shots (36.2 percent). He looked outmatched and uncomfortable with the physicality the Toronto Raptors threw at him. Orlando could not get him going with any actions to get him the ball.

Vucevic’s absence in the playoffs is a big reason the team lost. The Magic simply could not score.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

That playoff series revealed some of Vucevic’s shortcomings. But none of those were particularly new. Teams will evaluate Vucevic beyond just this season, although this season will certainly boost his rating overall.

In all likelihood, the Magic already understand how much they are willing to pay to keep him. If he goes beyond that amount, the Magic will likely let him walk.

And that will set off a ton of dominos as the Magic try to find a way to replace his offensive output and attention. The Magic surely have plans regardless of what happens. But everything revolves around this decision.

And then beyond that, the amount and length will determine what the Magic do beyond that to continue to improve. So much is riding on this decision to set the Magic’s course for at least the next two years.

And certainly, it will be a decision that affects their 2020 playoff hopes.