2023 Orlando Magic Offseason Needs: Backup Center

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 13: Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Orlando Magic and Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Chicago Bulls laugh during the first half at United Center on February 13, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

2023 Orlando Magic Offseason Needs: Backup Center

Nikola Vucevic, Chicago Bulls

A lot of Orlando Magic fans have been trying to put the bug in everyone’s ears for a potential reunion with the former Magic star. There are enough legs to it that there is a real debate among the fan base. It seems to have crept outside of Magic fandom.

That all may become moot with the reports he is working to get an extension done with the Chicago Bulls before he even hits free agency on July 1.

It is not even clear whether Vucevic is entering a new phase of his career.

He had a down year with the Bulls last year, averaging 17.6 points per game for the second straight year with 11.0 rebounds per game. He still shot a career-best 57.3 percent effective field goal percentage.

That down year might be more about playing a secondary role for the Bulls. Their offense focused on Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan.

Of course, the pressure to win brought back the concerns about Vucevic’s defense and his inability to do more than play drop coverage. And, at times, weak drop coverage.

Still, the Bulls were one of the better defenses in the league throughout the season averaging 111.5 points allowed per 100 possessions (112.8 with Vucevic on the floor, the second-worst mark on the team, but still better than the Magic’s season average last year, even after Dec. 7).

The question as it pertained to this potential reunion always came down to whether Vucevic would want to be the backup center. He was not likely to start over Wendell Carter whom the Magic are very well invested in.

It does not seem likely Vucevic is the kind of center the Magic are looking for — as skilled as he is and with as much nostalgia and experience he would bring to a very young roster. And it certainly does not seem like Vucevic would be eager to come off the bench in the kind of role Orlando would create for him.

Vucevic is 32 years old and is coming off a contract that paid him $22 million last year. It would appear this coming contract could be his last big payday. And he absolutely should protect himself.

It sounds like he is looking for a three-year deal, and it is hard to imagine he is not getting at least $60 million and probably more with it.

This always seemed like a pipe dream. The fact that it seemed to have some reality though goes to show how shallow this center free agency pool is.

Vucevic holds a lot of nostalgia. But this is probably not the time for a reunion.