Wendell Carter Jr. is no longer just a name floating around Warriors circles. After a week of fan-driven speculation, the idea has picked up some real traction with Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reporting Thursday that Golden State is monitoring a possible move as the team deals with an injury crisis following Stephen Curry’s torn oblique on Wednesday.
Siegel also pointed to Naz Reid as another name worth watching from the Warriors’ side if they decide to add a big man.
“Right now, who are targets for the Warriors?… Wendell Carter Jr and Naz Reid… Those are the two guys I’m keeping an eye on for the Warriors if they are to add a big man," Siegel said.
That matters because this is the first time a credentialed media member has tied Carter directly to Golden State, rather than leaving the conversation in the realm of social media chatter and fan theories.
The fit is easy to understand. The Warriors would like a stretch big who can step in at the five, and Carter fits that mold. On Orlando’s side, Kristaps Porzingis’ willingness to accept a significant buyout could help a Magic team facing pressure not only with its current payroll, but also with future financial concerns as young guard Anthony Black heads toward restricted free agency next year.
Even with that incentive, Orlando would likely need more than salary relief to seriously consider moving Carter. Draft capital would almost certainly have to be part of the conversation, especially with Carter off to a strong start despite the Magic’s 4-7 record.
The 27-year-old is putting up 13.6 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists and nearly two stocks per game while shooting 60.9% from the field and 42.3% from deep. He also gave Golden State a firsthand look last week at Chase Center, finishing with 19 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks in an overtime loss.
Whether this turns into an actual deal is still up in the air. But for Warriors fans, the big takeaway is simple: the Wendell Carter Jr. idea now sounds a lot more real than it did a few days ago.
In Other News...
Jimmy Butler's Rehab Just Raised A New Warriors Question
Jimmy Butlers recovery from a torn ACL has already become one of the more closely watched storylines around Golden State, and his latest step has only added another layer to it. Butler has said he wants to get into a G League game for the Santa Cruz Warriors before he makes his way back to the Warriors lineup, a plan that would give him a live-game test in a lower-pressure setting as he works his way through rehab.
For Golden State, the idea is intriguing because it would offer a clearer bridge between the training room and the NBA floor, but it still depends on medical clearance from the teams staff. Steve Kerr has welcomed the possibility, though it remains unclear whether the Santa Cruz appearance would become an official part of Butlers rehabilitation path, leaving the Warriors with one more question to sort out as his return draws closer. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Face A New Trade Problem In Porzingis Pursuit
The NBAs draft lottery reform has quietly changed the trade market, and it may be making life harder for the Warriors as they try to sort through a Kristaps Porzingis pursuit. With the incentive to bottom out reduced, fewer low-performing teams are eager to move veteran pieces, which means the usual pool of sellers is thinner than it once was. For Golden State, that can turn a straightforward search for a deal into a much narrower hunt.
So the Warriors may have to look elsewhere for a workable path, and that likely means teams dealing with financial pressure rather than teams chasing the lottery. The Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic stand out as possible partners in that kind of framework, but the broader point is clear: this is no longer just about finding a team willing to trade, it is about finding one with the right mix of need and flexibility. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Suddenly Face A Bigger Stephen Curry Concern Than Expected
Stephen Currys oblique injury has already turned into a much bigger issue for the Warriors than the initial diagnosis suggested. Golden State officially said Curry will be re-evaluated in two weeks after suffering the tear against the Houston Rockets, but the injury is serious enough that he is expected to miss multiple games and could be sidelined until December.
Draymond Green added to the concern by saying he doubts Curry will be ready once that first two-week window closes, which only sharpens the uncertainty around Golden States early-season outlook. For a team that leans so heavily on Currys presence to steady everything from the offense to the locker room, the next update may matter even more than the first one. [Read more 🡒]