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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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The Good

Wendell Carter Jr. fits the mold of a modern NBA center. He can defend at a high level, he can rebound and he can spread the floor on offense with a reliable outside shot.

Those traits sound like a perfect fit for the Orlando Magic. Although Nikola Vucevic has been a consistent performer for Orlando, Carter appears to be a better fit for this roster.

An athletic, defensive-minded lineup with Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac and Wendell Carter Jr. would jumpstart a struggling Magic team at least on one end. One of the best things about Carter will be his ability to perform next to Orlando young core.

Offensively, Carter does not flash. He has a strong 260-pound frame that will allow him to bang with NBA centers. His basketball IQ and footwork saw him excel in the post in college. If he can add a few more moves, he projects to be a reliable low-post player.

The key for Carter will be his 3-point shooting. He shot just better than 40 percent from behind the arc last season. With Orlando desperate for floor spacing, Carter will not hinder the offense with an unreliable jumper.

Again, his offensive game is well-rounded and he can score from all over the floor. He plays smart and within himself. Even at a high-profile school like Duke, he was willing to make his teammates better.

One of the best traits for Carter is on the glass. He is tenacious and makes his presence felt on both the offensive and defensive side. His massive frame and 7-foot-3 wingspan allows him to grab boards with ease.

The Magic were a terrible rebounding team last year. It is starting to become a trend, Carter will help improve a ton of issues Orlando has been facing of late. He may not stand out or become an All-Star in any area, but he will just fill those gaps every team needs.

A key for the Magic, especially new coach Steve Clifford, is defense. Carter fits the bill. He may not be fleet of foot, but he rotates well. Carter averaged 2.1 blocks per game, displaying good timing and court sense to contest and change shots. He can protect the rim and knows where he needs to be at all times.

There is a lot to like about Carter. He is well-rounded and should produce on both ends of the floor. A smart player that would fit seamlessly into Orlando’s rotations.