From 2012-2021, Nikola Vucevic was arguably the best player the Orlando Magic had.

Those years were rough for the organization. In six of those seasons, Orlando won less than 30 games, and with Vucevic on the roster, the Magic only made the playoffs twice and had a winning record just once.

In March 2021, Vucevic was traded to the Chicago Bulls, ending his tenure with Orlando. Since then, the Magic have acquired a talented young core and have become a regular postseason participant. Now, Vucevic, 35, returns as an older player with more experience, and it is a team he believes in.

"Yeah, so for me," Vucevic said during his introductory press conference. "You know, being at that stage of where I am in my career was something; it was important for me that it's, you know, a team that has a chance to win and then also a place that would be good for my family.

"And so, you know, when the opportunity for Orlando came up, I didn't think about it too much," he added. "Obviously, everybody knows my ties to Orlando, the time I spend there, main part of my career. And then, you know, obviously the team is good, have a chance to win. And then for my family, you know, we live there, you know, we've been coming there even when I was playing in Chicago and Boston."

The familiar ties to Orlando mean a lot for Vucevic, and he has a chance to make a bigger impact than he did before with the Magic, even if he is no longer the first option. Vucevic is joining a young roster that needs additional veteran leadership and production off the bench, and Vucevic can provide both of those things in plentiful amounts.

"So, my kids are pretty familiar with it," Vucevic said. "And so, you know, when I put it all on paper, it was a pretty easy decision for me to come back, and I'm happy I get the chance to go back to the franchise where I spent the most years and where I left a big mark. And hopefully, you know, I can come back and help the team have some success."

Vucevic’s time in Chicago came to an end when he was traded to the Boston Celtics in February. Vucevic’s numbers dropped after he was traded, but he still averaged 15.1 points and 8.4 rebounds in 64 games during the 2025-26 campaign.

Join the Community! Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news! It's completely free to join, simply by clicking the yellow button at the top of the homepage. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the free Roundtable APP and stay even more connected!