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Forging the Future: What the Orlando Magic should do with Nikola Vucevic

By Zach Palmer

TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 23: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic talks at the press conference after Game Five of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors on April 23, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 23: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic talks at the press conference after Game Five of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors on April 23, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards
ORLANDO, FL – NOVEMBER 9: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball against the Washington Wizards on November 9, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The difficulty of a trade

It might be easy to say the Orlando Magic could sign Nikola Vucevic (even to a team friendly deal) with an eye toward trading him in the future whenever Mohamed Bamba is ready to take over. This seems like a sound strategy but carries its own risks.

Vucevic’s trade value has always been tough to gauge. The Magic have certainly made him available for several seasons now. The Magic should have been able to move him at some point.

They did not move him because his value has never been high enough to warrant giving him away. Orlando very well could be stuck with an expensive player who does not fit into their plans.

If Orlando retains Vucevic that means the team outbid other teams for his services. Will teams really be interested in adding a player they chose not to pay the amount it took to retain him? Deals like that in the past have not gone well for teams. Just look at Allen Crabbe on the Portland Trail Blazers (and then ironically the Brooklyn Nets). Or even look at Steve Clifford’s Charlotte Hornets and their retention of Nicolas Batum after a playoff season.

Signing Vucevic and committing a long-term deal with an eye on trading him is dangerous. It is just as likely as the team gets stuck with him for the course of the contract.