With Mohamed Bamba‘s NBA career off to a promising start and Nikola Vucevic on an expiring contract, the prevailing wisdom suggests that Vucevic’s days with the Magic may be numbered, writes Sean Deveney of The Sporting News. However, multiple league sources tell Deveney that Orlando isn’t looking to move the veteran center at this point.
While the Magic have explored the trade market for Vucevic in past years, they’ve yet to entertain offers this season and have been happy with how he has looked so far, per Deveney. The club also doesn’t want to put too much pressure on Bamba before he’s ready. Of course, if Orlando falls out of playoff contention by February and is offered a first-round pick for Vucevic, the team’s stance could change. For now though, he’s not being shopped.
Deveney spoke to league executives about a few more potential trade candidates, with a focus on big men, so let’s round up the highlights…
- Although Derrick Favors signed a new two-year deal with the Jazz during the summer, his $16.9MM salary for 2019/20 is non-guaranteed, and few people around the NBA expect him to still be in Utah at that point, according to Deveney. Favors could be a trade candidate at this season’s deadline if the Jazz are able to move him a more versatile forward.
- The Cavaliers are unlikely to go into fire-sale mode anytime soon, one executive tells Deveney. “Don’t hold your breath,” the exec said. “If they decide to blow it all up, I don’t expect that to decision to be made until we get close to the deadline. They still think they can win.” If the Cavs do start moving veteran pieces, Tristan Thompson is one player to watch, says Deveney.
- Jonas Valanciunas is no longer an every-night starter for the Raptors, but he’s been very productive in a reduced role for the team and there are no plans to move him, sources tell Deveney.
- Robin Lopez (Bulls) and Dewayne Dedmon (Hawks) are unlikely to net first-round picks on the trade market, but they could be decent rental options for teams seeking depth up front, Deveney writes.
Saw yesterday the Magic said they expect Bamba to be their Embiid in 5 years.
Ya. You saw it in the article posted on this website…
I’ve been loving Valanciunas coming off the bench.
Valanciunas off the bench is perfect for that style of big (post up bigs) in today’s NBA, and he has also done a great job over the last 2 offseasons getting better at defending pick and roll, as well as making the outside shot to stretch the floor.
I’ve wanted Whiteside to come off the bench the last 2+ years. He was way better in that role when the Heat had Amare starting a few years ago. That was before they paid him though, and as we saw with his complaints about playing time, they wouldn’t be able to get him to do that.
Tristan talks like he cares but is not playing like he is stimulated by his job. Same for Smith & Frye. I empathize, the stakes are not what they used to be.
But I can’t say playing for the Lakers would make enough difference with Tristan. He’s not making that case. He will just wind down with the Cavs & take up space & recycle later at 29.
Looking forward to seeing a “sparky” Valen’as TOR.