Magic's Vucevic hopes to play his whole career in Orlando
This may seem a bit premature coming from a 24-year-old playing in just his fourth NBA season, but Nikola Vucevic is so happy to be playing for the Orlando Magic that he wants to keep doing so until he retires.
"Yeah, I'm here for the long haul," Vucevic told Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel. "I hope to stay here my whole career."
This should come as welcome news to Magic fans, who in the past have had to watch would-be franchise centers in Shaquille O'Neal and Dwight Howard trade Disney World for Disneyland.
Vucevic has his own ties to Southern California, having gone to prep school in Simi Valley and played college ball at USC, but he has no intention of ditching Orlando.
"I love it here. I really love the city," he said. "I've improved here a lot as a player. I'd love to stay for a long, long time and make something special happen."
The Magic picked up Vucevic as part of the four-team trade that sent Howard to the Lakers in 2012. He may not be an all-timer like his titanic forebears at the pivot in Orlando, but he's made great strides in his brief NBA career – averaging 19.5 points and 11.2 rebounds this season – and, after signing a four-year, $53-million extension last summer, should be the team's starting center for years to come.
With young building blocks like Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo and Aaron Gordon in place around him, Vucevic hopes to be part of the Magic's eventual resurgence.
"If it takes years, it takes years," he said. "I ain't going anywhere."