The Orlando Magic will need the best version of Nikola Vucevic next season.
The Orlando Magic did what they could with the limited financial freedom they had this offseason by making three key free agent signings, two of which were in the building last year.
The Magic brought back Jevon Carter and Jonathan Isaac on one-year deals while reuniting with former big man Nikola Vucevic on a one-year deal of his own. Each player will be depended upon in different ways, and I recently wrote about what Isaac and Carter need to do to help the Magic be successful.
When strictly considering production on the floor, Vucevic is the most viable option of the trio. Last season, he averaged 15.1 points and 8.4 rebounds across 64 games with the Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics.
When this signing occurred, I went on the Full Court Magic Podcast to discuss it. Here is what I had to say:
"And they not only reunite with an important player in franchise history, but they also address depth at the center position. And they get a guy who is still very capable of producing a double-double, you know, despite being 35 years old, despite having some miles on his body and in his career. This is still a very productive player who, according to Shams Charania of ESPN, passed up more lucrative offers in order to return to Orlando.
So, that was a good investment by the front office and Jeff Weltman. I released some trade grades yesterday. I gave this one an A, not just for the nostalgia of it, but for getting a really reliable backup center, especially now that Moe Wagner has departed as a free agent and signed a two-year, $19 million deal with the Brooklyn Nets, as also reported by Charania yesterday.
So this, you know, puts into effect a good player, a really savvy veteran behind Wendell Carter Jr. and can possibly create, you know, a good one-two punch there at the five. And we'll see what happens with the future of Goga Bitadze and things of that nature. The Magic so far have not seemed interested in shopping him. So, if he does remain on the roster, along with Carter Jr., you have three very serviceable centers to shore up that frontcourt depth. So, a good pickup there."
On paper, this looks like a solid pickup for Orlando, but it is up to Vucevic to make it materialize. He is an older player, but the production has been there, and the Magic desperately need him to provide a spark for a bench unit that was lacking.
