Magic center Nikola Vucevic is happy in Orlando and can see a long-term future with the franchise, as he told Alex Kennedy of Hoops Hype. Vucevic has one year and $12.75MM remaining on his contract, then becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer. Vucevic would like to see progress from the team next season but has faith that it’s headed in the right direction.
“I believe we aren’t too far away and we can compete very soon,” he said. “When you win in this league, that’s the best feeling. So that’s what is most important to me. I do believe we can get there, though.”
There’s more nuggets from Kennedy’s interview with Vucevic:
- The 7-footer is focused on expanding his 3-point game in a league that increasingly demands that big men stretch the floor. Vucevic didn’t venture out much to the 3-point line until last season, when he averaged 3.6 attempts per game and connected on 31.4% of them. “This is something that I’ve wanted to add to my game to help our team get better, so I think that’s going to be the biggest thing for me this summer. I’ll continue to focus on that. I’ll also be playing with my national team, and I’ll continue to work on that while I’m with them.”
- Vucevic had dinner with new coach Steve Clifford and was very impressed by the ex-Hornets head man. “You can tell he knows the game really well. He’s really creative. He’s going to do a really good job of putting our guys in positions to be successful and making us better. Everything we talked about throughout our conversation was very positive.”
- Forward Aaron Gordon‘s steady improvement was a product of hard work, rather than simply his athleticism, according to Vucevic. “He works as hard as any guy on our team – if not harder. He’s always showing up early and staying late. … Some people may think he’s just a freak athlete, but they don’t realize how much work he has put in to improve the way he has year after year, especially this past season.”
Except they overpaid a lesser big and have been trying to trade him.
Gordon will likely get maxed out, Gordon and Isaac are the future there.
Really like Vucevic, is not a very expensive player just now, anyway, for a center less than 13MM $ is not bad counting that his numbers a few years ago would have him in the all-star, I mean is not bad a line of 17/9/3, I think is a good player, solid, like him, would be good for Orlando to keep him.
He can’t play defense, Orlando needs to let him go.
He actually improved a good amount defensively the last 2 years
A 7’3” center should not be “expanding his 3-point game” but instead he should be “expanding his rebounding and defensive game.” Another soft Euro-center in the mold of the original – Vlade Divac
Expanding his range means that he draws a defender out of the lane. Creating space for driving, or cutting player, better skilled players like… Gordon, Fournier, and soon Trae Young. He is 6’10.25 without shoes, 6’11.75 with shoes – draft measurable. Biyombo is their defensive specialist. Vucevic at least gets 1+ blocks a game.
The 80’s called… they want their approach to the game back
I still hate Doug Collins for not playing him when he was a Sixer b/c Doug doesn’t like rookies or young players. Worst coach we ever had.
The trade that started the process, don’t forget. While I agree with you in some respects, I would much rather be here than had we kept Vuc and continued on the path of mediocrity
Yea, I get that. It’s nice now. But back then, was Doug Collins a reason we took Evan Turner over Boogie? And we took Vucevic 16th, Kawhi went 15th and was traded, Butler went 30th. Looking back you’re like – if they weren’t going to play him why even draft him? I just hate Doug Collins. Signed an extension then quit.