Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

3 Magic players that earned untouchable status, 2 that could be cut loose

By Luke Duffy

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 03: Bol Bol #10 of the Orlando Magic celebrates his dunk against the Minnesota Timberwolves with teammate Paolo Banchero #5 in the fourth quarter of the game at Target Center on February 03, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Magic defeated the Timberwolves 127-120. 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. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 03: Bol Bol #10 of the Orlando Magic celebrates his dunk against the Minnesota Timberwolves with teammate Paolo Banchero #5 in the fourth quarter of the game at Target Center on February 03, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Magic defeated the Timberwolves 127-120. 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. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: Wendell Carter Jr. of the Orlando Magic reacts. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: Wendell Carter Jr. of the Orlando Magic reacts. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images) /

3 players to keep, 2 in danger for the Orlando Magic

2. Wendell Carter Jr.

The Orlando Magic executed the perfect trade back in 2021 in moving franchise leading man Nikola Vucevic to the Chicago Bulls, and center Wendell Carter was the player they got back in that deal.

The pick that turned into Franz Wagner was also in there, as well as this year’s likely lottery pick from the Bulls (it is top-four protected). At the time, fans felt the Carter addition was a bit . . . meh.

But this was the season where the big man proved without any doubt he can be the anchor in the paint for this young Magic team. A perfect complement next to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.

Consider this: The Magic have the 16th-best defensive rating in the league this year at 113.6 points per 100 possessions, although that figure is hampered by a 5-20 start. In February, they ranked fourth (108.2).

When Carter is on the court, the team has a rating of 111.2, which would put them third in the entire league. Concrete evidence Carter is a massive plus defensively on the court.

Your own eyes would tell you the same thing if you have watched the impact he has had this season, although the 15.5 points per game Carter Jr. has put up is also a career-high.

He is not quite the modern big man, but Carter continues to evolve and is perfectly suited to manning the middle for a young roster that has the ability to one day soon be elite defensively.