Orlando Magic Top 30: The Most Under-Appreciated Player in Orlando Magic History

1. Nikola Vucevic (2013-Present)

Nikola Vucevic is our pick as the most under-appreciated player in Orlando Magic history. His selection as such is probably going to cause hand-wringing and debate. That is what lists are supposed to do. And surely there will be criticism that there is recency bias here.

Perhaps there is.

But mention Vucevic in any debate about who is among the best players in Magic history, and there will surely be those who throw their hands up in disgust. Vucevic creates a split reaction among Magic fans.

That is not just this year — which gave his supporters perhaps a little bit more ammunition in the debate. That has been the case for several years now.

So here are the facts: Vucevic has averaged 16.8 points per game and 10.7 rebounds per game in his seven years with the team. He has averaged a double-double in each of those seven seasons. He is among the exclusive club of eight players to be an All-Star while representing the Magic.

And yet, there still seems to be a disconnect as to his place within franchise history and his value to the team. Even when he has been chugging along and producing consistently, there is a vehement response that now is the time to trade him.

Even bringing him back after breaking the Magic’s playoff hex and reaching the All-Star Game came under heated debate. There was a firm camp that did not want to see him back at all.

What the future holds for Vucevic is still completely unknown. There is plenty of reason to believe he is not the best guy for what the Magic ultimately want to do and who they want to be.

But it is also clear that Vucevic has been a hard-working, consistent player for this franchise. Even when he was not given the keys, he produced for the team. And he was absolutely vital to the team reaching the playoffs again. He will remain critical in the years to come.

Who is to say how history will view Vucevic at the end of the day? Perhaps things will turn and fans will be able to put his game in perspective better.

For now, it seems the split on Vucevic and what his legacy with the team is will leave him under-appreciated for what he has actually done. And he deserves plenty of praise for the commitment he has shown to this team.

What do you think? Agree with our list? Who was under-appreciated on our list of the most under-appreciated players in Magic history? Let us know in the comments below and continue the conversation on Twitter @OMagicDaily.