Big man Wendell Carter Jr. is having the best season of his young career with the Magic, according to Mark Schindler of BasketballNews.com, who takes an in-depth look at Carter’s breakout season and interviewed him for the article. Carter is averaging career-highs of 15.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists this season in 62 games (29.9 minutes per night). He boasts a shooting line of .525/.327/.691, including a career-best 61.5% on two-pointers.
Carter said the team’s coaching staff has empowered and challenged him to improve his game.
“They’ve kind of instilled in me like, ‘Man, you’re a great player. We’ve seen plenty of flashes. We know what Wendell can really be. Can we see you do this for a whole 48-minute game? Can we see you play like those little spurts we’ll see every now and then? Can you do that more often?’”
Here’s more on the Magic:
- Devin Cannady, who signed a 10-day contract last week, is grateful for his second chance with Orlando, per Khobi Price of The Orlando Sentinel. Cannady had a 10-day and then a two-way contract with Orlando last season and appeared in eight games, but his season came to an early end in April of 2021 when he suffered a significant ankle injury and underwent surgery. “I remember what it felt like laying on that floor less than a year ago. A lot of thoughts went through my mind. I remember praying on the floor that day. A lot of late nights, early mornings, frustrations, excitements and just to be back here is a testament to the work I put in. Whether I made it back here or not, I was going to be fine, but this is where I believe I belong,” Cannady said.
- Rookies Jalen Suggs (right ankle bone bruise) and Franz Wagner (left ankle sprain) returned for Tuesday’s win over Cleveland after absences of 10 games and one game, respectively. However, Wagner suffered a right ankle sprain in the game and didn’t return (Twitter links).
- Bobby Marks explores the team’s options for the offseason in his guide for ESPN (Insider link). Much of Orlando’s financial flexibility is tied to Mohamed Bamba, who would be a restricted free agent this summer if the team tenders him a qualifying offer of $10.1MM.
If Bamba can knock down 3 point shot, Magic should make a qualifying offer.
He can, he has for the last few years & he will keep on knocking them!
Same is true of Precious Achiuwa. If both contimue to progress in this area, they will see big money in their futures. Ayton should take notice. Speaking of the Suns, they will regret trading away Jalen Smith.
Regret not qualifying him. Only so much money.
Magic have a plethora of bigs with Bamba, Carter Jr. Mo Wagner and Bol Bol – Mo Wagner has been great in limited minutes and has a lot of upside, he’s been stuffing the box scores. Bol Bol too has some upside when he gets healthy. Not a bad problem to have but will be interesting to see who they keep on the roster.
The coaches asked Wendell to try harder and that’s what’s different? Lol dude went somewhere with zero expectations, just wait til the magic are supposed to be good, he will fold faster than a plastic chair under a morbidly obese human being