2019 Orlando Magic Offseason Outlook: All about Nikola Vucevic
Vooch and the future
It is probably a bit too reductive to say that everything this summer revolves around the decision whether or not to re-sign Nikola Vucevic. And then beyond that how much and for how long they choose to sign him.
Vucevic is coming off a four-year, $48-million contract that at the time was considered extremely team friendly. Vucevic was coming off a serious concussion and a spate of injuries and took an extension before even hitting free agency. He was still establishing himself in the league.
He far outproduced that contract value — no matter what anyone thinks of how he fits with the team or the modern NBA — even before his breakout 2019 season. There, Vucevic averaged a career-best 20.8 points per game and 12.0 rebounds per game.
His All-Star bid was part and parcel to the team finally breaking through and making the playoffs. Something Vucevic certainly had waited a long time to do in a Magic uniform.
It, of course, came in a contract year too. Pressing further questions for the Magic. Especially considering sixth-overall-pick Mohamed Bamba is waiting in the wings. It is not entirely clear if the Magic will keep their All-Star center.
Certainly, no one, even Vucevic supporters as Vucevic has become quite divisive among fans, is willing to throw a max at Vucevic. But Vucevic also probably understand this is his last chance to get a big contract — especially since he took such a sweetheart deal in his first run through free agency.
Vucevic is 28 years old and in the prime of his career. A four-year deal would put him at 32 years old at the end. Perhaps near the tail end of his prime. This is his chance to strike rich.
Related Story. 2019 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Nikola Vucevic. light
The going thought is the Magic will determine the number and the years they will offer Vucevic and hold firm on that should the market give Vucevic more if he should walk away from that number.
It is unclear what that number is. But it is safe to assume it will be north of $20 million. Re-signing Vucevic then would almost take up the entirety of the Magic remaining cap room.
If Orlando re-signs Vucevic, the team is likely left only with the team’s nontaxpayer mid-level exception — a contract, or combination of contracts, worth $8.6 million in the first year for the 2019 season.
You can still get a decent player at that amount. At $8.6 million, you can find players like C.J. Miles, Julius Randle and Davis Bertans.
But that limits the pool significantly. The Magic’s summer this year comes down to whether they re-sign Vucevic or not. If they do, they will have only the mid-level exception to work with (virtually).
If they do not, they will have enough room to add a potential starter, unless they sign Terrence Ross to rich contract.