Orlando Magic discussing a contract extension with Nikola Vucevic

As reported by Orlando Sentinel, 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.

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.

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.