Only five NBA players averaged at least 10 rebounds per game in each of the last two seasons.
They are: Kevin Love, Dwight Howard, Joakim Noah, Zach Randolph and Nik Vucevic.
You can bet Orlando Magic executives have been reminded of that recently by Vucevic’s agents. Because Vucevic is a former first-round draft pick who is entering his fourth season and has had all of his contract options picked up, he and the Magic have until Oct. 31 to reach a contract extension that could run through the 2018-19 season.
Vucevic has said he wants to remain with the Magic, and the team’s general manager, Rob Hennigan, said the franchise’s “hope and intention” is to reach an extension deal “if it makes sense for everybody.”
A potential extension is one reason why the months ahead are crucial for Vucevic, a 23-year-old center. He arrived at training camp leaner and more muscular than before and, he said, more comfortable to be an offensive threat in the low post.
“I’m ready,” Vucevic said. “Whatever the team needs me to do, I’ll be ready to do. Shooting the ball, passing the ball or rebounding, whatever — I’ll be out there trying to do the best I can.”
Vucevic insists he’s leaving the contract talks to his representatives, but there’s no question his — and teammate Tobias Harris’ — eligibility for an extension adds some intrigue to this month.
The Magic can retain Vucevic long-term even if they don’t reach an extension this month. Without an extension, Vucevic would be on track to become a restricted free agent during the summer of 2015, meaning Orlando would have the capability of matching any offer sheet Vucevic might sign with another team.
But it’s not that simple.
Vucevic plays a position where talented, productive players are scarce. If Vucevic reaches restricted free agency, another team could sweep in and offer him a deal that could start with an annual salary of 25 percent of the salary cap, which, if the cap remains constant, would amount to almost $15.8 million per year.
Sound outrageous for a player who has never made an All-Star team?
Maybe not.
During the summer of 2013, restricted free agent Nikola Pekovic, a friend and countryman of Vucevic’s, reached a five-year, $60 million deal to remain with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Pekovic was 27 years old at the time, and although he’s a better scorer than Vucevic, he’s probably not as good a rebounder as Vucevic.
And consider this: When Utah Jazz swingman Gordon Hayward became a restricted free agent a few months ago, Hayward signed a four-year offer sheet with the Charlotte Hornets worth an average of $15.8 million per season.
The Jazz matched the deal. But the Jazz likely regretted not signing Hayward to an extension back in Oct. 2013. At that time, Hayward reportedly was willing to sign for $13 million a year.
To be sure, Vucevic has his flaws. He isn’t a shot-blocking threat, and he can be overpowered by physical centers and out-jumped by athletic centers.
Still, few centers possess his rebounding ability and his shooting touch.
And, since he’ll turn just 24 later this month, he has plenty of time to improve.
Magic officials want that improvement to ramp up in the year ahead. They want him to play with more aggression, more confidence and more power.
“We’ll continue to challenge Nik to be a presence for us at the rim,” coach Jacque Vaughn said.
“Does that mean blocking shots? I’m not sure if it correlates that way. But being able to offer some resistance at the rim [will be important]. He’ll continue to be a presence in pick-and-roll defense. His ability to run the floor is going to be important for us: for him to use his stamina. He’s got great stamina for a big, and we’re going to take advantage of that.”
With veterans Jameer Nelson and Arron Afflalo no longer on the team, Vucevic also will have a chance to be more of a leader.
“I’ve got a year more of experience, so I feel more comfortable,” Vucevic said.
“I’m going to be vocal, but I’m not going to be just yelling around. That’s not me. But I can go talk to guys. I can lead by example by my hard work and my approach every day and with how I prepare for games, practices. I can definitely help guys because I know how Coach Vaughn’s system works, what he likes and what he wants us to do.”
jbrobbins@tribune.com. Read his blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/magicblog and follow him on Twitter at @JoshuaBRobbins.