2018-19 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Nikola Vucevic complicates the center question with All-Star year

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Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets

ORLANDO, FL – FEBRUARY 2: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on February 2, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Orlando Magic’s plan at center seemed simple and straightforward. Then Nikola Vucevic turned in the best year of his career and led the team to wins.

The writing was on the wall, or so everyone thought.

The team has spent it seems the last three offseasons trying to work a replacement for Nikola Vucevic. It was not that they did not appreciate his steady offensive production. It was just that the thought throughout the league was simply he could not overcome his defensive shortcomings. Not if the team wanted to win.

There was the ill-fated attempt to acquire Serge Ibaka. Then the extremely baffling decision to sign Bismack Biyombo to play next to him. That was as clear a signal as any that the Orlando Magic (under then-general manager Rob Hennigan) was looking to move on from Nikola Vucevic.

That plan did not work. Vucevic remained, still producing and quietly going about his business. Never mind that for three straight trade deadlines, his name seemed to come up more than any. There was that clear desire to move on but never any action.

On draft night, the Magic made their signal again. They drafted center Mohamed Bamba with the sixth overall pick. The writing was again on the wall. Mohamed Bamba was the clear future.

But Vucevic was going to change that narrative. And the Magic were going to change what was important to them. Winning was going to matter again.

When coach Steve Clifford began assessing his team, he knew which player was likely underused and could help turn the team around. Despite all the noise that has surrounded his tenure with the team, Clifford put his full trust in Vucevic.

For the first time, really, the Magic put their full faith in Vucevic.

He was the central figure in the offense. Everything ran through him. They trusted him as a jump shooter and passer out of the high post. They used him as a screener with guards running around him. They put him back in the post, where he used his smarts and IQ to get to the basket.

And Clifford created an ecosystem where Vucevic thrived defensively. The once unthinkable happened — the Magic had a top-10 defense with Vucevic and not the 7-foot shot-blocking behemoth in Bamba anchoring the team.

Vucevic reaped the rewards. He had a career year that netted him a trip to the All-Star Game. He led the Magic into the playoffs. He had value again.

And a date many Magic fans looked forward to when the baton would get passed no longer seems so certain. Vucevic will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. And suddenly the decision to let him go no longer seems so clear cut. Not if the Magic want to repeat their playoff appearance.