Nikola Vucevic

Charlotte Hornets Receive: C Nikola Vucevic

Orlando Magic Receive: G Devonte’ Graham, C Cody Zeller, G Malik Monk, CHA 2021 1st Round Pick, CHA 2023 1st Round Pick

After just making his second All-Star appearance of his career, Nikola Vucevic is another star-level player that could be on the move in the coming weeks. With the Orlando Magic struggling this year and Vucevic’s value being at an all-time high, it may not be crazy for the Magic to entertain the idea of trading their star player. 

They could get an enormous return of talent and draft compensation for a player like Nikola Vucevic and with the Magic not being in any position to contend in the Eastern Conference, it may be time for them to take another step back and try to build this team into something special. 

They have some highly skilled, young talents in Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon, but at the end of the day, this team is nothing more than a low-tier team in this league. They just do not have the firepower to match up with some of the younger playoff caliber teams in the Eastern Conference, which is why they should be “sellers” at the trade deadline this year. 

Getting future value now is extremely important for this organization, which is why they should be willing to at least entertain offers for Nikola Vucevic. Trading him to the Hornets would definitely give them a ton of future value in Devonte’ Graham and Malik Monk, as well as two future first-round picks. Acquiring Cody Zeller also gives them a reliable center this year and $15.4M in cap space moving forward since he is in the final year of his contract.

For the Charlotte Hornets, trading for Nikola Vucevic not only solidifies their playoff spot this year, but suddenly makes them a threat in the Eastern Conference. With all of the explosive, young talent on this roster and the fast-pace this team plays at, none of the top teams in the Eastern Conference will want to play this team with them adding Vucevic. 

RELATED: NBA Trade Rumors: Nikola Vucevic named a potential trade target for the Bulls

Rookie LaMelo Ball has been sensational this year, as has 6th year guard Terry Rozier, and giving them a superstar caliber center to play with makes this team an even better offensive team than they already are. The most important part about this trade is that they would keep their versatile forward in Miles Bridges. 

Fans of the NBA would love to see the Charlotte Hornets get back to the playoffs and with them being a very exciting team to watch as it is, adding Nikola Vucevic to the equation could make them the fan favorite in the playoffs this season.