Orlando Magic rumors: Andrew Nicholson could be the odd man out

Nov 6, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic power forward Andrew Nicholson (44) drives to the basket as Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin (32) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 98-90. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

The Orlando Magic have done a nice job of collecting young talent since dealing Dwight Howard and will soon have to make decisions on those players as their contracts come up. The Magic will likely do whatever they can to keep core players like Tobias Harris and Nikola Vucevic but the future of their 2012 first round pick, Andrew Nicholson, is up in the air.

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Zach Lowe of Grantland believes Nicholson could be the odd man out.

"If the Magic feel any squeeze at all, Nicholson would be the more likely victim. He’s already 24, and he just hasn’t been able to keep up with NBA power forwards on defense. He’s not big enough to defend centers or protect the rim, and he rarely gets to the line — in part because he got so jumper-happy on offense last season.But Nicholson has a soft touch from the post, and if he can ever expand his 3-point range beyond the corners, he’ll have a role in the NBA. The Magic might as well give it another year, even if Nicholson will have to fight harder for scraps of playing time."

After a promising start to his career, Nicholson’s career has gone in the wrong direction, which only adds to Lowe’s point.

Nicholson averaged just 5.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game while shooting 42.9% from the floor, 31.5% from beyond the arc and 82.5% from the free throw line last season. During Nicholson’s first season, he averaged 7.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game while shooting 52.7% from the field and 79.8% from the charity stripe.

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