The Orlando Magic are reportedly set to enter free agency by offering Nikola Vucevic a four-year deal worth more than $90 million.
The Orlando Magic have a big decision in front of them on how much they are willing to pay to keep Nikola Vucevic with the team.
The All-Star center was a consistent and vital piece to the team’s playoff run. But also has several weaknesses that became apparent throughout his seven years with the team and especially in the playoffs.
There is still no denying the kind of value he can bring to the team. It was just a matter of how much the Magic are willing to spend.
It appears we have that number now. Marc Stein of The New York Times reports, the Magic are preparing to offer Nikola Vucevic a four-year, $90-million contract when free agency opens Sunday at 6 p.m. They hope that they will be able to get a deal done quickly.
The Orlando Magic are preparing a four-year offer believed to be in excess of $90 million to their All-Star center Nikola Vucevic in hopes of completing a deal shortly after Sunday's opening bell in free agency, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 28, 2019
What should be quickly noted is that this does not mean a deal is done and the Magic and Vucevic have already agreed to terms. This appears to be the Magic’s opening offer.
A four-year, $90-million contract averages out to $22.5 million per year. That certainly feels like it is the upper bounds of what the Magic would offer to him all things considered.
There are reports that Vucevic is seeking a contract in excess of $25 million per year. This is decidedly not that amount. So the Magic may be coming out with their strongest offer at the start and Vucevic will make his decision then.
The fact this number is leaking might be a negotiating posture to see if there are any teams that are willing to offer more before they get to the table on Sunday.
Knowing the Magic’s cap situation where they have limited room outside of Vucevic, they will need to know quickly whether they can rely on Vucevic re-signing before moving on to other free agents and making offers there. This appears to be that ultimatum.
Vucevic had a career season last year, averaging 20.8 points and 12.0 rebounds per game. He was one of the best passing big men in the league too averaging 3.8 assists per game. With his ability to stretch out to the 3-point line, Vucevic is quietly one of the most consistent offensive centers in the league.
The question has always been about his defense. He had his best defensive season last year for the Magic. But he is not a rim protector by any stretch and there is always a fine line for him in pick and roll coverage. He forces the team to play conservative drop coverages which some guards can take advantage of.
Despite those concerns, the Magic still finished eighth in the league in defensive rating. He really took to coach Steve Clifford’s schemes and responded well on both ends. His All-Star bid was a product of his consistency and Clifford putting him in good positions.
The structure of this contract will be the most interesting thing. It could very well be a flat $22.5 million per year. But that hardly seems advantageous to the Magic.
Especially considering they have Mohamed Bamba developing in the wings as the sixth overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft. It always seemed like Orlando was grooming Mohamed Bamba to start. It feels like that is still the case and the Magic might hope to structure the contract to help them at one point make that change.
Like Aaron Gordon‘s contract last year — a four-year, $76 million deal — the Magic could end up front-loading the deal.
Under maximum raises and decreases, the team could front load it and pay Vucevic a little more than $25 million in the first year and decline it by eight percent each year. That would hurt the team early but would make it easier to move him or shift him to the bench as the contract expires. Or better open cap room for the Magic in a few years when they are more ready to spend.
It is unclear what direction the Magic will ultimately go. It is unclear still whether Vucevic would accept this deal or if he could get something better on the market.
Vucevic certainly has an affinity for Orlando. If the money is competitive, it should at least keep Orlando in the running. But the offer appears on the table for Vucevic to consider Sunday when free agency opens.