The Golden State Warriors are staring at a trade idea that fits almost too cleanly to dismiss: Wendell Carter Jr.
With the team trying to move Kristaps Porzingis and his $20 million salary, Carter stands out as one of the most sensible targets on the board. He gives Golden State a real answer in the middle, and he also gives the Orlando Magic something they badly need after a rough start and a tightening financial picture over the next nine months.
Carter’s $18.1 million salary lines up neatly with Porzingis’ deal, though the second tax apron situation for both teams means a third club would probably have to jump in. Even with that complication, the framework makes sense.
On the court, Carter has done his part. He’s averaging 14.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 65.6% from the floor and 40% from three on 2.5 attempts per game. He’s not an All-Star, but he is a starting-caliber center who could handle major minutes for Golden State during the regular season.
There’s also the contract angle. Carter still has two years and a little more than $40 million left, which is close to the kind of deal the Warriors gave Porzingis before free agency. That contract would still be movable later if Golden State needed to pivot again, especially with the final season being a team option.
Orlando’s situation makes the possibility even more interesting. Carter put up 27 points and 13 rebounds on 10-of-12 shooting against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, but the Magic still fell 117-104 and dropped to 2-6. That leaves them 12th in the Eastern Conference, a spot that doesn’t fit a team operating near the second apron and carrying heavy long-term money, plus a looming restricted free agency decision on Anthony Black next year.
For the Magic, a deal built around Carter and Porzingis would bring real financial relief once Porzingis agrees to a buyout. It would get Orlando under the first apron and could even put them close to getting below the tax, depending on how the buyout is structured.
But money alone probably won’t be enough. Orlando would likely need a first-round pick too, and Golden State might be able to make that happen with next year’s selection. The Warriors’ six-game winning streak has them looking like a playoff team, which would make that pick less valuable if it lands outside the lottery.
The two teams will cross paths Saturday night at Chase Center, where Golden State will get a direct look at Carter as Orlando tries to stop its season from sliding further.
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Kristaps Porzingis has suddenly become a name worth tracking for teams looking to reshape their roster, and the Warriors are right in the middle of that conversation. Reports suggest he may be open to a buyout in the $3-4 million range, which could make it easier for Golden State to line up a trade partner and create a workable path if the front office decides to pursue it.
For the Warriors, the appeal goes beyond just adding a big name to the mix. A deal involving Porzingis could also leave them with a trade exception, giving the team more flexibility in future roster moves. Sources expect something to happen before December 15, so this is one of those situations that could move quickly once the right framework comes together. [Read more 🡒]
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For Warriors fans, the broader picture is a little jarring: Thompson is no longer carrying the same spotlight, Andrew Wiggins is working through a reduced role with the Heat, and Tim Hardaway Jr. has seen his minutes shrink in favor of rookie Ryan Conwell. It all adds another layer to a night that was already about nostalgia and transition, with Thompsons post-Warriors path looking less like a farewell tour and more like a reset he seems comfortable embracing. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Rumor Could Reshape Steph Currys Final Title Chase
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Jokics situation in Denver is worth watching because extension talks have been delayed, leaving open the possibility of free agency down the line. For the Warriors, the appeal is obvious: a player of that caliber would instantly change the ceiling around Stephen Curry and give the franchise a very different path back into title contention, even as the front office weighs how realistic it is to land a star of that magnitude. [Read more 🡒]