Report: The Boston Celtics And Charlotte Hornets Are Pursuing A Trade For Nikola Vucevic. Who Has The Better Offer?

The Orlando Magic have received interest from multiple teams about the trade status of Nikola Vucevic. These teams include the Charlotte Hornets, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs and Heat have been the most recent additions to trade for Vucevic, but the Charlotte Hornets and Boston Celtics have been wanting him for quite a while. Even though Vucevic has received quite a bit of interest from various organizations, it is unlikely that Orlando will trade him away. From various roster injuries to Orlando not having anyone else worth watching on the roster, the Magic might have to keep Vucevic for a long time. 

Although the Hornets and the Celtics have many assets and draft picks to trade, it will take a decent amount of assets to accomplish a trade for Vucevic. With him being named an All-Star this season while averaging career highs in multiple stat-lines, the value of Vucevic has gotten much higher. However, if the Orlando Magic were to make Nikola Vucevic available, who would have the offer? 

The Boston Celtics

Before this season started, the Boston Celtics had many expectations of emulating their 2020 playoff success. Even though they did lose in the conference finals against the Miami Heat, the Celtics still had an incredible run in the playoffs that showed great potential for years to come. However, this season, the Celtics have looked sloppy and have forgotten how to play basketball as a unit. Most of their points have been isolation-based and less team-based. The lack of a true playmaker is the root cause of their problems this season, even though they possess three talented scorers. It’s clear that Gordon Hayward’s presence in Boston is truly missed. 

Boston’s interest in Nikola Vucevic makes total sense. From his three-point shooting ability to his rebounding, Vucevic is an underappreciated center in the NBA that does not receive enough recognition. By playing for Boston, Vucevic would be in the spotlight and help fix most Celtics issues. 

Considering how valuable Nikola Vucevic is for the Magic, Orlando will most likely require many assets for a rebuild. The Celtics over the years have drafted many young players with great potential but have never given them opportunities to showcase their talent. Boston would most likely offer the following package for Nikole Vucevic. 

Boston receives- Nikola Vucevic

Orlando receives- Tristan Thompson, Carsen Edwards, Aaron Nesmith, Romeo Langford, 2023 first-round pick, 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 second-round pick. 

This trade makes sense for both rosters because the Magic are looking to rebuild with the young foundation they already have. However, Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac, who are two focal points to Orlando’s future, have suffered season-ending injuries that could change their careers forever. By doing this trade, the Magic could replace those injured players with two former lottery picks in Romeo Langford and Aaron Nesmith. Both players, before being drafted, came into the NBA known as great three-point shooting with crazy potential. Tristan Thompson is there for contract purposes, while Carsen Edwards has shown flashes of efficient basketball and will be a project for Orlando to work with if Markelle Fultz or Cole Anthony doesn’t work out. As for the Boston Celtics, they get the center that is perfect for Brad Stevens system.

The Charlotte Hornets

The Eastern Conference has had a fair share of surprises, but the Charlotte Hornets have arguably been the biggest surprise. From Lamelo Ball playing like a border-line superstar to Gordon Hayward playing the best basketball in his entire career, the Hornets are an All-Star player away from being a top-six team in the Eastern Conference. Even though they have been great, this team still has many holes and requires many improvements. For one, having Cody Zeller as the starting center is problematic if the Hornets are keen on making a playoff appearance. Like Boston, it makes complete sense as to why Charlotte would want to trade for Nikola Vucevic if he becomes available. 

Charlotte is currently the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 17-18. They currently stand in the play-in tournament bracket where they would have to face the Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls or Indiana Pacers. While the Bulls are not a huge threat, the Raptors and Pacers have experienced rosters that would most likely defeat Charlotte in an elimination game. A trade for Vucevic would strengthen the Hornet’s chances at making the playoffs. With Orlando understanding how crucial Vucevic would be for Charlotte, here is what the Magic would require. 

Charlotte receives- Nikola Vucevic

Orlando receives- Devonte Graham, Malik Monk, PJ Washington, and Cody Zeller

At first glance, this trade might seem very one-sided, especially with Charlotte’s lack of draft picks. However, Orlando makes this trade to ensure Aaron Gordon’s departure, a player who was supposed to be an All-Star by now. PJ Washington, who recently dropped a career-high, has great potential to be a quality starting calibre power forward. Devonte Graham, who had a border-line All-Star performance last season, would come into this team as a starting shooting guard or a sixth man. Malik Monk, the real question mark of this trade, was a star in college but has failed to emulate that dominance in the NBA. If this trade were to happen, Malik Monk could get that opportunity considering that Evan Fournier is in the last year of his contract. If Monk can play anywhere close to how he played in college, he would be the biggest steal in this trade. Lastly, Cody Zeller is only a part of this trade due to salaries matching.

Concluding thoughts

The Hornets and Celtics both need an improvement at the starting center position. Trading for Vucevic would solve both teams’ problems as they are hungry to make a playoff appearance. However, could Orlando receive something better from a different organization?