Trade rumors include just two weeks before the March 25 deadline, Nikola’s Orlando Magic All-Star … [+]
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With the Orlando Magic struggling at 13-23, it was only natural that teams like the Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets would be rumored to be interested in the team ‘s best player, All-Star center Nikola Vucevic. just two weeks before the March 25 deadline. .
On Sunday in Atlanta, Vucevic discussed the short- and long-term direction of the franchise. Right now, he said, the team is so plagued with injuries that it won’t be easy the second half of the season. Major Jonathan Isaac is still out with a torn ACL he suffered in an Orlando bubble in August, and starting guard Markelle Fultz also tore his ACL in January.
“Those are two starters for us that are very important and that we expect to have here for a long time,” Vucevic said. “So it’s sad when you have to play like that. We were never at full strength. ”
It means big moments for players like rookie Cole Anthony, Michael Carter-Williams, James Ennis and Dwayne Bacon, who are not house names. But the 30-year-old Vucevic is still having a standing season, averaging 24.6 points on 48.3% off the field and 41.2% from three to go with 11.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. But the Druids are 26th in offensive effectiveness and 21st on defense as they open the second half of Thursday night’s season in the Miami 3.5 games behind Atlanta for the final playoff spot at the Eastern Conference.
“We hang in there,” Vucevic said. “Hopefully we can be healthy and with our players we can make an effort to make the playoffs. But obviously it’s gonna be sad. It is not easy to be comfortable with everything that is going on and where we are right now. But that’s the short-term goal, try to make the playoffs and at least do something this season. “
Vucevic played for Team Durant in Sunday’s All-Star Match as well as competing in the Skills … [+]
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Vucevic is currently on the second season of a four-year, $ 100 million contract, which will decrease in average annual value year-over-year. He makes $ 26 million this year after earning $ 28 million last year and will make a team-friendly $ 24 million in 2021-2022.
As for Orlando’s long-term future, Vucevic appears on the Magic once Fultz and Isaac return.
“Our team looks very different. They are very important players for us and I think it will be a key motivator, ”said Vucevic. “Some people have contracts that are coming to an end, so we’ll see what happens to them. ”
Evan Fournier, a more likely trade candidate, is an unhindered free agent after the season, as are Ennis and Khem Birch’s circulation cogs. Orlando still has more than $ 120 million on the books next season, so he may have to get over his team with a high-profile pick if players like Vucevic and Aaron Gordon can’t trade in a big shake-up rebuild.
“But our hope is with the young pieces we have that we can build something for the future,” Vucevic said. “But you never know in this league. Things always happen, so we have to see. ”