PrimeThyme wrote:
I do think management would be more hesitant of handing Vuc a 4-year contract for that very reason. I know in theory it's easy to say that Vuc could be moved after two years to make way for Bamba, but if he is signed to a contract in the 22-max range and his production starts to dip back down to what we saw in previous years he could potentially be hard to move. We already found the last two years how hard it was to get any value back for him and that was on a bargain contract. The market for centers just isnt there.
They'd have to trust that they could bring someone in to replace Vucevic's very important role and production.
Vucevic was a focal point in nearly every possession he was on the floor; his scoring, passing and rebounding kept the Magic in games; his 3pt shooting and +16' perimeter shooting were crucial for spacing.
Ross has stated that he was waiting to see what Vucevic did. If Vucevic goes, Ross is more than likely gone. That's most of the Magic's 48 minute offensive attack; and with Vuc the most important rebounding factor. Nobody on the roster is replacing that.
The FO would have to be ok with risking going into a free fall if they whiff in free agency; and hurting the development of Gordon, Isaac, Fultz etc - all for Bamba. A player that is unlikely to be ready for starter minutes for another 1-2 years.
Vucevic will be in his prime plateaux. What he is now is what he'll more than likely be for most of his next contract. The biggest difference in Vucevic's efficiency from years past was the addition of the 3pt shot and with Clifford he's increased interior fga's.
Both of those are high efficiency zones. Neither of those are the type of skills that decline. He's not scoring in the paint on athleticism with lobs or dunks, its all finesse. His 3PT shooting is rapidly improving, and its a natural progression as he's always been a good perimeter shooter. Now he's just stepping back a step to a higher value shot.
Defensively, the biggest factor is his defensive rebounding and box outs, two skills that he's always been good at. Not because of athleticism, but because of bbIQ, mass and an elite level standing reach. None of that is going to disappear in 2-3 years.
Then you add in how much he's improved his passing and court awareness, again another skill that's not going to decline, but rather likely improve the more experienced he is.
If Vucevic is on a decent contract, he'll be fine value wise. I see him as a perfect foil for Bamba to compete with and learn from in his early development. If Bamba does take his starting spot in a couple of years, Vucevic then become an excellent back up / 6th man or a player the Magic can throw in a trade as $ ballast at worse.