Nikola Vucevic

2017-18

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2016-17

Vucevic missed a combined 17 games a season ago due to knee, groin and leg injuries, but when active, he remained one of the more productive fantasy centers around. Though he saw his numbers dip in most areas with coach Scott Skiles limiting his playing time a little more compared to the year before, Vucevic still pumped out averages of 18.2 points (on 51.0% shooting), 8.9 boards, 2.8 assists, 1.1 blocks and 0.8 steals in 31.1 minutes per game. For all the great work he did in shouldering the offense, Vucevic remains a below-average defender, with his decline as a rebounder and shot blocker in particular making him a liability on that end. Those flaws in Vucevic’s game evidently rankled the organization, as the team put significant resources into improving their defensive effort in the frontcourt during the offseason by trading for Serge Ibaka and signing Bismack Biyombo. Both players are long, fleet-footed shot blockers who fit the mold of what new coach Frank Vogel is looking for defensively from his big men, while Vucevic is in the antithesis of that. As such, there’s some uncertainty heading into the upcoming season whether Vucevic will be able to hold off Biyombo for the starting center job, much less remain with the Magic for the entire year. Considering Biyombo was signed to a four-year, $72 million deal, it seems likely that, if not traded, Vucevic will at the very least cede plenty of court time to Biyombo, which would result in a stark downgrade in his fantasy value. Vucevic might still be capable of approaching double-double production even in a reduced role, but don’t invest in him with the expectation that he’ll be able to replicate last year’s numbers.

2015-16

Narrowly missing an All-Star berth, Vucevic turned in the best season of his career after signing a four-year extension last summer. In a career-high 34 minutes per game over 74 contests, Vucevic averaged 19.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.7 blocks while shooting 52 percent from the field and 75 percent from the foul line. He was one of 17 players to shoot at least 50 percent from the field and 75 percent from the line last season. The 24-year-old Montenegrin remained a prolific and rabid mid-range shooter, hoisting 460 shots from that zone, and an incredible rebounder, recording 45 double-doubles, fifth most in the NBA. Vucevic continued to struggle on defense, allowing opponents to convert 54 percent of their shots at the rim, the catalyst behind former interim coach James Borrego slotting Dewayne Dedmon into the starting lineup. His free-throw rate declined because of his propensity to hoist from mid-range and ineptitude at establishing post position on offense. The Magic welcome experienced head coach Scott Skiles to the sidelines this season, and Vucevic has proven he's the optimal choice at starting center.

2014-15

Nikola Vucevic is entering his fourth NBA season. The 24-year-old center averaged 14.2 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 32 minutes over the course of 57 games last season. Vucevic shot 50 percent from the field on 12.2 attempts per game and 77 percent from the free-throw line on 2.4 attempts per game. Playing two fewer minutes per game, his stats across the board showed little statistical improvement, with the exception of an eight percent increase in free-throw shooting, becoming one of fifteen centers to shoot better than 50 percent from the field and 75 percent from the free-throw line last season. Vucevic cemented his reputation as a prolific rebounder, possessing the 10th best rebounding rate last season (27.6 percent) and finishing eighth in rebounds per game. His 36 double-doubles in only 57 games left him tied for fifth in the Eastern Conference, with Nikola Pekovic recording the next most double-doubles (23) for those with fewer than 60 games played (54). Vucevic is close to automatic outside of 16 feet (44 percent mid-range), a three percent improvement from his previous season. The one flaw in his game remains his defense, where he allowed opponents to shoot 56 percent at the rim, manifesting itself into a mediocre block rate.

2013-14

Vucevic was one of the true breakout fantasy options last season. After playing a limited role in Philly as a rookie, Vucevic was sent to Orlando as part of a seemingly under-whelming package in the three-team Dwight Howard trade. A rebuilding Magic squad wasted no time making Vucevic a significant part of the rotation, enlisting him as the team's starting center from Day 1. The 22-year-old big man responded with averages of 13.1 points, 11.9 rebounds and 1.0 block in 33 minutes per game. He showed marked improvements in his shooting efficiency (52 percent from the floor, 68 percent from the line) during his sophomore campaign, and given his 75-percent shooting clip from the charity stripe during his collegiate career, there's still some room for growth. He's a double-double machine with a polished low-post game and decent jump shot and should continue to thrive as one of Orlando's new building blocks.

2012-13

The 16th overall pick in the 2011 draft put together a decent but under-the-radar rookie season for the Sixers last year. He finished with averages of 5.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in just 16 minutes per game. Those numbers don’t jump out of the box score, but his per-36 minute averages of 12.5 points, 10.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks do hint at his potential. And that potential could be realized as soon as this season thanks to an offseason trade to the Magic. As part of the Dwight Howard deal, Vucevic lands on a rebuilding Magic team that will be desperate for production in the low post. He has great size (7-0, 260) while also possessing a strong face-up jumper and a decent feel around the basket. Like many young players, Vucevic still needs to work on his efficiency, as he shot just 45 percent from the floor and 52.9 percent from the free-throw line. At 22, Vucevic will probably need a couple of years to reach his full potential, but he’ll have plenty of opportunities to earn a significant role in Orlando. Don’t forget his name when targeting breakout candidates for your fantasy frontcourt.

2011-12

The first-round draft pick (16th overall) will have an opportunity to play some significant minutes at center. Coach Doug Collins has mentioned that he expects Vucevic to get about 15 minutes per game, but if Spencer Hawes continues to struggle with his inconsistency, Vucevic could capitalize on the opportunity to earn more floor time. Collins likes his mobility, his feel around the post, and his strong jump shot. He could provide fantasy value in deeper leagues.