Skip to content

Report: Magic reluctant to deal Andrew Nicholson for little return

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Tap here to access our NBA Trade Deadline tracker, which includes the latest transactions and rumors.

With interim head coach James Borrego staying on for the remainder of the season and a new, permanent head coach likely to be brought on board this summer, there's new life for players at the end of the Orlando Magic rotation.

That could mean disappointing former first-round pick Andrew Nicholson will receive a stay of execution ahead of Thursday's trade deadline. The team was said to have been shopping the third-year big as recently as last week, but Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported Tuesday that the team may be putting that idea on temporary hold.

Wojnarowski writes:

Orlando Magic management remains reluctant to unload forward Andrew Nicholson for a marginal return, still wondering how a new coach next season would better utilize him offensively, sources tell Yahoo Sports. Jacque Vaughn and his interim successor, James Borrego, have been unable and unwilling to incorporate his inside-outside scoring abilities into their simplistic offensive systems.

Shocking that a team isn't willing to give away an inexpensive first-round pick from three seasons ago without getting something of value in return. Nicholson is only owed $2.4 million next season, a reasonable price tag if the team thinks a new coach may be able to get more out of the No. 19 pick in the 2012 draft. 

The 6-foot-9 Canadian was expected to develop into a stretch-four but the stroke he displayed at St. Bonaventure as a senior hasn't translated to the NBA 3-point line. Over three seasons, Nicholson is 33-of-100 from long range and has taken just 11 attempts from outside this year. Considering his game is somewhat limited otherwise - he's not a great rebounder or defender - that element really needs to come along for him to pan out.

In 169 games, he's averaged 6.4 points and 3.2 rebounds in 15.3 minutes, posting a below-average 12.2 player efficiency rating. Still, with one more inexpensive year on his deal and the potential to become an outside threat, the Magic may deem him worth one more try in a new coach's rotation.

Then again, the same logic should hold for Maurice Hakless, who is younger, only a hair more expensive next season and has proven more at the NBA level. Though, the Magic are reportedly open to moving him for a minimal return. So who knows?

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox