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3 Orlando Magic players who would have excelled in the Playoffs

By Luke Duffy

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 01: Markelle Fultz #20, Gary Harris #14 and Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Orlando Magic speak against the Philadelphia 76ersat Wells Fargo Center on February 01, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 01: Markelle Fultz #20, Gary Harris #14 and Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Orlando Magic speak against the Philadelphia 76ersat Wells Fargo Center on February 01, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: Wendell Carter Jr. of the Orlando Magic reacts after scoring against the Washington Wizards. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: Wendell Carter Jr. of the Orlando Magic reacts after scoring against the Washington Wizards. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images) /

3 Orlando Magic players who would have excelled in the Playoffs.

2. Wendell Carter

It feels like the center position is going through a rebirth, and there is no doubt Wendell Carter would have raised a few eyebrows had he been able to show what he can do in the playoffs.

It is no coincidence Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid are the two favorites to win this year’s MVP award, and both their teams hold leads in the second round of their respective series.

Player Evaluations: Wendell Carter Jr. is the team's rock. light. Related Story

Putting Carter on their level is of course ridiculous, and yet had the Magic faced either the 76ers or Denver Nuggets, Carter would have been tasked with defending both of these guys the most.

An impossible task, yet one he would have performed admirably. Just look at his numbers against those two. No center in the league likely defends those elite big men better than Carter.

If that is too much of a stretch of a comparison, then Kevon Looney of the Golden State Warriors and DeAndre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns is not.

Both have their uses for their teams, and again both are still in the postseason. Carter Jr. managed 8.5 rebounds this season, as well as a career high 15.2 points on 35.6 percent shooting from deep.

At 23-years-old, Carter is part of this new breed of big men who can protect the paint and rebound the ball on both ends, but also stretch the court and have an impact offensively as well.

The drawn out nature of the postseason would have suited him as well, and whenever he gets a chance to play on that stage, and it is more likely to be with the Magic than not, Carter Jr. is going to gain a whole lot more fans.