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Nikola Vucevic is headed back to Orlando, signing a one-year, $3.9 million contract with the team, a source confirmed to MassLive. The former Celtics big man turned down other offers to return to the Magic, per Shams Charania of ESPN.com, as he spent nearly nine seasons there earlier in his career.
The Celtics acquired Vucevic from the Bulls days before the trade deadline in February in exchange for Anfernee Simons and a 2026 second-round pick. Boston hoped to bolster their center depth with the move while also cutting some payroll to get under the luxury tax line for the 2025-26 season. However, Vucevic suffered a broken finger just three weeks after he was acquired and was never able to gain a good rhythm with Boston’s regulars upon his return to the floor in April.
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The big man averaged 15.1 points and 8.4 rebounds in 64 games last season with the Bulls and Celtics but those numbers and his efficiency dipped considerably in the playoffs. He posted just 6.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game on 37 percent shooting from the field before his Game 7 benching against the 76ers in a first-round loss for Boston.
Brad Stevens spoke about him in greater depth following Boston’s postseason exit.
“He’s our only unrestricted free agent and I thought obviously getting traded here when he did, he had some moments, broke his finger, that probably set him back,” Stevens said. “This was a hard matchup for all of us, in particular. I think when I looked at it the other day, he ended up being a plus in the series, but it was back and forth with all those guys.
“I thought that Vooch gave us all that he had and, did what we asked, and it was a hard matchup,” Stevens said. “I have a lot of respect for Vooch as a person and as a pro. I thought he was really good in our locker room. I thought he was a really good person to have around. Certainly, a positive experience with him.”
Vucevic earned $21.5 million last season but now will be playing for the veteran’s minimum.
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