Even though the Boston Celtics need to add a center this summer, it was practically a foregone conclusion that Nikola Vucevic was set to leave the team in free agency, and nobody was going to argue against that.
The USC alum has had a solid NBA career up to this point, but he left a lot to be desired in Boston. During his 16 games with the Celtics last season after they traded Anfernee Simons for him (which was a controversial move at the time and didn't age all that well), Vucevic recorded 9.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 turnover on 43.9/34/78.9% shooting splits.
(His numbers aren't all that bad, but they don't factor in how inconsistent he was, his somehow worse-than-advertised defense, and his always-one-step-late rhythm on both sides of the ball. Plus, he was a DNP-CD in Game 7 of the first round because of how poorly he played the rest of the series - 6.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.3 TOPG, 37.8/29.2/50% shooting splits.)
The Vucveic error in Boston has officially come to an end now that he has returned to the Orlando Magic, where he spent nine seasons and was a two-time All-Star, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
This is good news for him since he gets to (likely) end his career in the same place he played in his prime, and Celtics fans should be happy to see how it's turning out for him.
Celtics fans should be happy about Nikola Vucevic's Magic reunion
It's great that Vucevic gets to go back to Orlando. He was a legitimately good player in his prime and helped usher in their post-Dwight Howard era (remember, he was actually a part of the trade that sent Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2012). Being able to go back, especially now that the Magic are a playoff team again, is a nice twist in his career.
Vucevic wasn't all that great on the court for the Celtics (which is another reason fans should be happy his time with the team is done), but nobody ever questioned his character/leadership. You don't last over a decade in the NBA for no reason, and let's not forget that he hadn't been a full-time backup since his rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers (no, seriously) in 2011-12.
While nothing is official yet, there are reasons to think the Swiss native is about to enter the final year of his NBA career. Not only did he just sign a one-year, minimum contract to essentially return "home," but he's also turning 36 years old in October and has been in the league for 15 years.
And if this upcoming season ends up being the final one of Vucevic's career, it's hard not to be excited about him possibly having his storybook ending in Orlando (not to mention that it would make the Celtics a fun trivia answer, however many years down the line).
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