Nikola Vucevic (Achilles) is hopeful that a contract extension can be reached with the Magic before the Oct. 31 deadline, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Vucevic (Achilles) is hopeful that a contract extension can be reached with the Magic before the Oct. 31 deadline, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Analysis:

Vucevic will likely have to prove the ability to avoid injury throughout training camp and the preseason slate, but when healthy, he has proved to be a beast in the post for the Magic, averaging a double-double in each campaign with the organization. Overall, he's posted 13.6 points (on 51 percent shooting), 11.5 boards, 1.8 assists, 0.9 blocks, and 0.9 steals in 32.6 minutes per outing. On the other hand, he's missed 30 of a possible 164 games, or 18.3 percent, during that span -- including the final seven contests of last year due to an Achilles injury -- which makes him a risk in upcoming drafts.