The Magic signed Bismack Biyombo to a four-year, $72 million contract.
Where dos that leave incumbent starting center Nikola Vucevic?
Vucevic, via Zach Lowe of ESPN:
That’s a perfectly fine sentiment from Vucevic. He’s a competitor, and he earned the starting job before Biyombo arrived. Vucevic shouldn’t feel obligated just to step to the side for Biyombo.
But what about Biyombo? He’s being paid like a starter, and he probably doesn’t want to come off the bench. His performance with the Raptors – especially in the playoffs after Jonas Valanciunas got hurt – suggests he’s ready for a bigger role.
There isn’t much leeway to play Vucevic and Biyombo together – especially with Serge Ibaka, Aaron Gordon and Jeff Green needing minutes at power forward.
So something will have to give.
Then how does everyone handle it? The Magic upgraded their talent by adding Biyombo, but they also created a roster crunch that can cause tension. Those problems only worsen if the team doesn’t win enough. This just adds to the pressure for a fast start in Orlando.