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Orlando Magic Rumors: Orlando Magic intend to sign Michael Carter-Williams for rest of season

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 20: Michael Carter-Williams #7 of the Orlando Magic rebounds the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 20, 2019 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 20: Michael Carter-Williams #7 of the Orlando Magic rebounds the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 20, 2019 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic plan to keep Michael Carter-Williams for the rest of the season after his second 10-day contract expires on Saturday.

The Orlando Magic plan to sign Michael Carter-Williams for the rest of the season once his second 10-day contract expires on April 4, Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman told Chris Hays of the Orlando Sentinel.

That will allow him to play in the final two games of the season. But it will leave a big decision for the magic to make should they make the playoffs.

NBA rules do not permit players who are signed with an injury exception to be on the playoff roster. For Michael Carter-Williams to play in the playoffs, they will have to cut a player.

This is a situation Josh Robbins of the Athletic detailed in a recent column, suggesting the team would have to choose between cutting Jerian Grant or the injured Isaiah Briscoe to make room for Michael Carter-Williams.

Certainly keeping Carter-Williams for the rest of the season is a sure sign the Magic want to keep him around for the playoffs with just two games remaining after he signs that third contract.

Re-signing Carter-Williams is really a no-brainer. Since joining the Magic, he has played exceptionally well and brought much-needed energy to the Magic’s second unit.

He is averaging 5.6 points per game and 3.6 assists per game in 18.1 minutes per game across the eight games he has played in a Magic uniform. His individual impact is seen more in how the team has played.

Orlando has a +7.2 net rating with Carter-Williams on the floor, including a stellar 100.9 defensive rating with a 108.2 offensive rating. That is the best on-court net rating for any player in the Magic’s rotation.

The Magic have been a dynamic, active and energetic team with Carter-Williams on the floor. His ability to push the pace with the dribble and get into the lane dish out to the perimeter has boosted the team’s offense. And his length and energy on defense have turned the Magic’s second unit into a real strength for the team.

Orlando would not still be in this playoff push without Carter-Williams. Keeping him on the roster is certainly a must move for Orlando to stay in the hunt.

The question now becomes who will the Magic cut to make him playoff eligible.

The easy answer is probably to cut Jerian Grant. Grant is now out of the rotation after struggling to provide a consistent pace and production in the backup role. He will be a restricted free agent this summer and is not someone the team will likely retain. There is little downside to losing him.

But, as Robbins points out, if Isaiah Briscoe is not healthy enough to play in the playoffs, the Magic run the risk of going into the postseason with just one point guard on the roster.

The Magic have Troy Caupain on a two-way contract. But players on a two-way contract are ineligible to play in the postseason. So he would not be an option to play, although he can practice and travel with the team during the playoffs.

Troy Caupain has not seen much action in the NBA anyway, appearing in only four games and 16 total minutes, with no time of meaningful basketball. The fact the Magic turned to Carter-Williams before giving Caupain a chance probably hints at how the Magic felt about Caupain playing in this playoff push.

The Magic certainly want to keep Briscoe on the roster beyond this season after the season he had for them as the backup point guard. Like Carter-Williams, he provided a ton of energy and pace to the team to help stabilize their lineup and make a push for the playoffs on both ends. Although perhaps not to the same effect as Carter-Williams.

The Magic have Briscoe on a three-year deal with next year and the year after non-guaranteed at virtually the minimum (a hair north of a $1 million salary). It does not seem like that is something the magic want to let go of.

Likely the Magic have already made their decision on what they will do now that the decision is made to keep Carter-Williams for the rest of the season.

dark. Next. Lakeland Magic's season ends in heartbreak, successes

Orlando still has to fight its way into the playoffs. The Orlando Magic trail the Miami Heat by one-half entering Wednesday’s game. The fight and the race to get in is on.