The Sacramento Kings have had a longtime rumored interest in Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic, and Sam Amick of The Athletic confirmed it during a Q&A session on Tuesday.
Tim T: “Thanks for taking the time to do this, Sam. Multiple folks in the local Sacramento media have claimed that the Kings have serious interest in maxing Nikola Vucevic. Have you heard the same?”
Amick: “I know he's a target, and I know that it will likely require the max. So, I suppose that's a confirmation. And thanks for joining me, Tim.”
Vucevic had expressed desire to remain with the Magic, a team he has been with for the last seven years of his career after being drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers. But he was also keenly aware that failing to reach the playoffs could be the start of cleaning house, as he and the likes of Evan Fournier and Terrence Ross could be shipped elsewhere or surrendered in free agency.
The 7-foot big man is coming off the best year of his career, posting career highs across the board in points (20.8), rebounds (12.1), assists (3.9), blocks (1.2) and steals (1.0).
If he gets the max, from either the Magic or the Kings, this would be his biggest pay date to date, one that could keep him with a franchise until age 33 by means of a five-year deal.
The Kings have been mulling the idea of giving Willie Cauley-Stein an extension, given that he's shown progress, yet not enough to warrant a major sense of security from the franchise.
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