Jevon Carter Brings Grit, Defense, and a Needed Spark to Orlando
Jevon Carter didn’t have to think twice. When the Orlando Magic came calling just after the trade deadline, the veteran guard jumped at the opportunity. Waived by the Bulls on February 1, Carter had barely unpacked before his agent rang with news: the Magic were “very interested.”
By Friday, he was signed. By Saturday morning, he was already at shootaround at the AdventHealth Training Center, gearing up for a potential debut just hours before the Magic hosted the Jazz.
“It was kind of a no-brainer for me,” Carter said. “They wanted me. I like to go where I’m wanted.”
That mutual interest dates back further than just this week. Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman still remembered Carter’s pre-draft workout in Orlando back in 2018 - a detail Carter appreciated and one that helped seal the deal. For a player who thrives on being valued for what he brings to the table, it meant something.
Now in his eighth NBA season, Carter arrives in Orlando with a clear identity: he’s a gritty, relentless perimeter defender who can also knock down shots from deep. That’s not just reputation - it’s backed by the numbers.
In 23 games with Chicago this season, Carter averaged 5.4 points and 1.1 rebounds in just over 11 minutes per game, while shooting 41% from three. And when he’s the closest defender, opponents are shooting nearly a full percentage point worse from beyond the arc.
That’s exactly the kind of edge Orlando was looking for after sending Tyus Jones to Charlotte at the deadline - a move that eventually saw Jones land in Dallas. Weltman had hinted at the team’s desire to bring in a veteran presence, and Carter checks that box with his no-nonsense approach and playoff-tested mentality.
“They play together,” Carter said of his new teammates. “You can tell it’s a good group, that they gel well together and they take pride on the defensive end. I’ll be able to just plug right in and just do what I do.”
And what he does - in his own words - is simple but impactful: “Defense. Pressuring the ball, making it tough on you and knocking down shots.”
That’s music to Jamahl Mosley’s ears. The Magic head coach has emphasized defense-first basketball all season, and Carter fits that mold like a glove.
“Watching Jevon over the years, just his level of toughness, professionalism … Defensively, he is a tenacious defender,” Mosley said. “He pushes his teammates.
And his ability to knock shots down as well. Those things are the key pieces he brings to the table for us.”
Carter’s first impression of Mosley? Right in line with what he expected.
“Exactly how I thought he was going to be,” Carter said, smiling. “Like, tough-nose.
The film session was a little tough. I was like, ‘Yeah, this is the type of stuff I miss.’
That’s my type of energy.”
And that energy is exactly what Orlando needs as it barrels into the final 32 games of the regular season. Entering Saturday’s slate, the Magic were just 2.5 games behind the sixth-seeded 76ers - well within striking distance of avoiding the Play-In Tournament altogether.
Carter knows his role may shift from game to game, but that’s never been a problem for him. He’s built his career on being ready - whether it’s picking up full court, spacing the floor, or injecting life into a second unit.
“I’m that guy you just plug in to try to pick up energy, making shots, picking up full … whatever you need me to do,” Carter said. “Every game could be different. I’m just ready whenever my name’s called.”
That’s the kind of mindset that can make a difference down the stretch - especially for a young, hungry team like the Magic that’s trying to take the next step in the Eastern Conference. With Carter in the mix, they’ve added a veteran voice who brings more than just words - he brings action, toughness, and a defensive edge that could prove crucial in the playoff push.