The NBA only put on a two-game slate Thursday night, so I really got to lock in on watching the Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns go at it. Devin Booker had a tremendous first half with 23 points, and Phoenix pulled away in the second half, stomping the Magic 117-104.
This game made me feel super confident that, even despite them dealing with injuries, Orlando may be forced to pick a path focused on either Paolo Banchero or Franz Wagner and retool the rest of the roster around one of them. If my Magic 8 ball prediction comes true, they’d be silly not to capitalize on Wendell Carter Jr.’s value after a strong playoff run and start to this regular season.
For the Raptors, Carter Jr. would be an awesome and realistic get for them to add some more stability to their frontcourt alongside Jakob Poeltl and Collin Murray-Boyles. Against the Suns, Carter Jr. continued his hot start to this season, finishing with 27 points and 13 rebounds on 83 percent shooting from the field.
His activity on the boards, ability to guard a little on the perimeter, finish plays, defend the rim, and occasionally knock down an outside jumper would make him an awesome fit for this team.
Wendell Carter Jr.'s versatility makes him the center upgrade the Raptors need
To start this season, the Magic have been a disaster, starting 2-6, but Carter Jr. has been a steady bright spot, averaging 11.0 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists while shooting 65.6 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from three. He is also the starter with the highest net rating on the Magic this season, and while it’s a small sample, it’s still worth mentioning. At 27, this is some of the best production of Carter Jr.'s career, and his value may never be higher, so if a pivot comes, all the signs are there for Orlando to cash in and sell high.
The issue for the Raptors is that, because of their financial situation as a near first-apron team and the Magic being a first-apron team, a straight-up trade is nearly impossible. Another team would likely have to be involved, or the Magic would have to have made trades before so they could escape the first apron and take back the salary Toronto could offer in a Carter Jr. trade.
I know to some this may sound like a lot of hoops to jump through for Carter Jr., who to many is a middle-tier center, but adding the production he's provided to start this season to the Raptors would be a game changer.
He’s a winning player who would bring a physical presence while still being super skilled and would be a huge upgrade over Jakob Poeltl. It’s not super common to find bigs that are Swiss Army knives, but Carter Jr. is one. He is so versatile defensively and offensively as a floor spacer and play finisher, and that’s super hard to find, especially at his $18 million price tag. He’s also shown he isn’t a playoff dropper over the Magic’s last two playoff appearances, and for a group with title aspirations, that would be awesome to have at the starting center spot.
Trading for him also wouldn’t be a rental like some other proposed center upgrades for this team, as he’d be under contract for next season and have a team option for 2028-29. Right now, trading for Carter Jr. is essentially impossible, but the NBA changes fast, and if things continue to trend downward for the Magic, they could have a new look by the trade deadline. If they do and can make things work financially with the Raptors, Bobby Webster needs to get on the phone and trade for Carter Jr.
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