Nikola Vucevic Trade Rumors: Magic Expected to Shop Center

The Orlando Magic are expected to explore the trade market for center Nikola Vucevic, according to Michael Scotto of The Athletic. 

Vucevic is entering the final year of the four-year, $53 million extension he signed in October 2014 and is owed $12.75 million in 2018, per Spotrac.

The 16th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft, Vucevic spent the first year of his career with the Philadelphia 76ers before being acquired by the Magic in the Dwight Howard trade in 2012. He has spent the last six years in Orlando.

Vucevic has become a solid contributor down low for the Magic, averaging 14.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game in six seasons. In 2017-18, he averaged 16.5 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists.

As productive as the 27-year-old Vucevic has been, though, the organization may be ready to focus on building its front court of the future. Not only does dunking sensation Aaron Gordon own a spot in the front court, but Orlando has used the sixth overall pick in each of the last two drafts on big men, Jonathan Isaac (2017) and Mo Bamba (2018).

That means the Magic will be focused on giving their young players minutes as the look to put their rebuild behind them.

Not only that, but according to Scotto, Orlando president Jeff Weltman and general manager John Hammond want their roster to feature length and versatility. Although Vucevic is 7'0" and 260 pounds, he does not appear to fit that mold.