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The Orlando Magic are probably going to miss the playoffs, and rumors around the league suggest that the team will likely do a full rebuild after this season that will begin by trading All-Star Nikola Vucevic.
Vucevic is having a great year for the Magic, posting averages of 20.6 points on 52 percent shooting, 12.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, which led to him being selected as an All-Star for the first time in his career. However, there have been reports that Orlando is looking to move him before the trade deadline despite his impressive stat line.
But according to ESPN's Zach Lowe, the Magic will likely keep Vucevic for the remainder of the season, as they believe his trade value will continue to rise.
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The Magic might turn their noses up at receiving a middling first-round pick for their best player. The league as a whole has no feel for Weltman's plan. I'm not sure Orlando will get much better than that sort of pick and perhaps one other asset.
That raises the possibility they simply keep Vucevic. He just turned 28. Bamba is not ready; the Magic over the last month have split up Bamba and Jonathan Isaac because teams are destroying Orlando with those two on the floor.
I'd bet against a Vucevic deal, though the Magic's recent slide should have them more interested in selling than they were two weeks ago.
Despite what Vucevic has done this season, teams are unlikely to offer an Anthony Davis-like package for him. He's 28 years old and could be on a decline soon. So it makes sense for the Magic to keep him for the remainder of the season. They can continue to showcase his talents while closely monitoring the interest (for Vucevic) from around the league.
They can make one final push to make the playoffs too, as they are only three games behind the eighth-seeded Miami Heat. Vucevic's performance in the playoffs could make a difference in his trade value.
