Orlando Magic recently acquired NBA stars Bismack Biyombo and Serge Ibaka so many have been asking if starting center Nikola Vucevic will be traded. However, reports are saying that they are not planning such move but this might mean Vucevic will lose playing time this upcoming NBA season.
Orlando Magic not Ready to Trade Nikola Vucevic
Ibaka was acquired by Orlando Magic from Oklahoma City and Biyombo was signed from Toronto. Orlando Magic General manager Rob Hennigan reportedly said that despite having these two additional players in their team, they are not in any rush to trade Vucevic, Sportsrageous reported.
Hennigan reportedly called 25-year-old Vucevic after he signed Biyombo to a four-year $72 million deal and assured that he had no plans to trade Vucevic. However, he reportedly said that he is no longer sure if Vucevic would remain to play as Orlando Magic's starting center. For the last three seasons, Vucevic has been making scores for Orlando magic and averaged 18.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists.
What is Orlando Magic's plans for Nikola Vucevic?
Accordingly, despite Vucevic's great game and consistent playmaking, Orlando Magic fears that there are not enough players to make the team work. The new Orlando Magic coach, Frank Vogel, who was signed with the team just 15 days after being fired by Indiana, is said to strategize where to put Vucevic, Biyombo, and Ibaka. Both Biyombo and Ibaka are great rebounders and shot blockers.
On top of the three aforementioned players, Vogel would have to make a stronger defense and find ways to unclog forwards Aaron Gordon and Mario Hezonja.
This could mean Vucevic will have fewer touches and more time on the wing. Accordingly, last season, Vucevic knocked down 43.1 percent of his shots between 10 and 16 feet and only did 22.2 percent from the three-point line.
It is also possible that Vucevic could be a power forward in case he will no longer be Orlando Magic's starting center. Other rumors surrounding Vucevic is that he will be traded to Denver Nuggets in exchange of Danilo Gallinari.
