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2018 Orlando Magic Draft Preview: Wendell Carter Jr. has a high floor, and a ton of room to argue

By Ryan Doyle

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 15: Wendell Carter Jr #34 of the Duke Blue Devils dribbles against TK Edogi #13 of the Iona Gaels in the first half during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at PPG Paints Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 15: Wendell Carter Jr #34 of the Duke Blue Devils dribbles against TK Edogi #13 of the Iona Gaels in the first half during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at PPG Paints Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /
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Wendell Carter Jr., Duke Blue Devils
PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 15: Wendell Carter Jr #34 of the Duke Blue Devils dribbles against TK Edogi #13 of the Iona Gaels in the first half during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament held at PPG Paints Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /

Wendell Carter Jr. was forced to take a backseat in his lone season with the Duke Blue Devils. He has quickly managed to become a polarizing prospect among Orlando Magic fans.

It is not a secret.

Wendell Carter Jr. has been one of the most discussed prospects among the Orlando Magic fan base. While some question his ceiling as a potential star, others look to his floor. Carter is a NBA-ready player who can contribute to the team immediately.

Carter had a strong season with the Duke Blue Devils. He averaged just shy of a double-double with 13.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. That helped lead the Blue Devils to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament.

Carter does not have the flash of fellow prospects projected to go in the Lottery. Trae Young dazzles fans with his gaudy numbers and “Stephen Curry-like” 3-point shot. DeAndre Ayton is one of the most physically imposing prospects since Dwight Howard.

Carter does not have that alluring narrative. He quietly went about his business with Duke and still has found himself in the conversation as a top-five pick. Still, many will not get on board with Carter because of how workmanlike his approach is.

Carter does not have a skill or physical attribute he can rely on. He does not have tremendous length or a knockdown jump shot. Nothing that is overtly apparent.

He is just a good overall basketball prospect.

Think of Al Horford or Mike Conley. Both of these guys are not flashy, but they have been a key part of winning teams for a decade. No one should complain about having that kind of consistent production on any team.

For some Orlando supporters, it seems like a player with that ceiling would be a terrific addition. While others don’t see the star power and franchise-altering talent.

Either way, Carter is one the top prospects in the NBA Draft and may be a long-term answer for Orlando at the center position. With the league going small, he could join the Magic and create a modern day front court.