Experienced big man Nikola Vucevic is heading back to Orlando, inking a new contract with the Magic on Wednesday to begin his second chapter with the franchise.
While the team declined to reveal the financial details of the agreement, ESPN reported that Vucevic signed a one-year deal worth $3.9 million. During his original run with Orlando, he suited up for 8.5 seasons and earned All-Star honors twice.
Vucevic was a consistent double-double threat throughout his time in Orlando, reaching that mark in six of his eight complete seasons with the club. He was well on his way to another double-double campaign in his ninth season when the Magic shipped him off to the Chicago Bulls ahead of the 2021 trade deadline.
Now 35 years old, Vucevic logged five seasons in Chicago before being dealt to the Boston Celtics prior to last season’s trade deadline. Across 64 total games, he put up averages of 15.1 points and 8.4 rebounds — though his numbers dipped significantly in Boston, where he averaged just 9.7 points and 6.6 rebounds in 16 appearances, including only one start.
Vucevic’s NBA journey began when the Philadelphia 76ers selected him in the first round, 16th overall, in the 2011 NBA Draft. He was then traded to Orlando following his rookie year.
Over the course of his career spanning 1,036 games and 957 starts, Vucevic has averaged 17.1 points and 10.3 rebounds per game and has connected on 998 three-pointers.
In addition to the Vucevic signing, Orlando announced it has also brought in guard Jevon Carter and forward Jonathan Isaac. Carter, 30, agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract, according to multiple reports. Last season he averaged 7.2 points, 2.3 assists, and 20.4 minutes per game across 30 contests, with just one start.
Isaac, 28, was recently released by the team before his $14.5 million salary for the 2026-27 season became guaranteed, and has now been re-signed. He averaged 2.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 10.0 minutes per game in 52 games last season — all coming off the bench and all representing career-low figures.
