Wendell Carter Jr. has developed into a quality center who fits the way the Orlando Magic want to play — a plus defender who can score around the rim and stretch the floor from 3 — so the Magic locked him up.
Carter and the Magic agreed to a three-year, $59 million contract extension, a story broken by ESPN’s Shams Charania and shortly after made official by the Magic.
Carter has two years remaining, or $22.8 million on his current four-year contract, now that $59 is added, meaning he is under contract for the next five years. Due to the six-month rule, Carter cannot be traded at the deadline this year, even though the Magic planned to do so anyway.
Orlando has now locked down its frontcourt with Franz Wager and Jonathan Isaac agreeing to contract extensions over the summer. Paolo Banchero is the only part of this frontcourt core who has yet to sign an extension, but his max deal is undoubtedly coming.
The Magic hope Carter can stay healthy. He played in 55 games a season ago and has never appeared in more than 62 games. After last season, Carter underwent surgery on his left hand, an operation the team called preventative because a steel plate had been installed to support a previous fracture.
Carter averaged 11 points and 6.9 rebounds while playing 25.6 minutes per night this past regular season. His minutes increased slightly in the playoffs (his first playoff appearance) and he averaged 7.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
Orlando is betting it will play in a lot more playoff games in future seasons.
