The Orlando Magic are expected to sign veteran guard Jevon Carter for the remainder of the season, according to a league source - a move that adds depth and experience to a young backcourt as the team continues its push toward playoff positioning.
Carter, who was waived by the Chicago Bulls on February 1, played in 23 games this season, averaging 5.4 points and 1.1 rebounds in just over 11 minutes per game. While the volume was limited, the efficiency stood out - he knocked down 41% of his shots from beyond the arc, a mark that speaks to his value as a floor spacer.
With two open standard roster spots following Thursday’s trade that sent Tyus Jones and two second-round picks to the Hornets for cash considerations, Orlando was required to bring its roster back up to 14 players within two weeks. Carter fits the bill as a low-risk, potentially high-reward addition - a seasoned guard who brings playoff experience and a defensive edge.
Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman addressed the team’s approach to roster building after the trade deadline, emphasizing the importance of fit over flash.
“Hopefully for us, probably a veteran,” Weltman said. “But I would also say, those guys generally aren’t going to move the needle a lot, and I don’t want to do it just for the sake of doing it.”
Weltman pointed to the team’s overall roster balance and health as bigger priorities, noting that any addition would need to complement what’s already working - not disrupt it.
“If I say we’re going to bring in a 32-year-old guy who’s a great open 3-pointer shooter, but how do we get him on the court? So like, what does that do?”
In other words, this isn’t about grabbing headlines - it’s about adding a piece that fits quietly but effectively. Carter checks a lot of those boxes.
Defensively, he brings a gritty, no-nonsense presence that could prove valuable, especially in matchups where perimeter containment is key. Carter has built a reputation as a tough on-ball defender, a skillset that dates back to his college days at West Virginia, where he was a two-time national Defensive Player of the Year and remains the school’s all-time steals leader.
At 6-foot-1, Carter isn’t going to overwhelm anyone physically, but he plays with a chip on his shoulder - a trait that tends to resonate in playoff environments. He’s appeared in 435 regular season NBA games across stints with Memphis, Phoenix, Brooklyn, Milwaukee, and Chicago, and has logged 22 playoff appearances, including a run to the NBA Finals with the Suns in 2021.
Orlando’s backcourt is already stocked with young talent - Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Anthony Black, rookie Jase Richardson, and guard-forward Jett Howard - but Carter brings something slightly different: stability, defense, and a reliable outside shot. He won’t demand touches, but he’ll make the most of the ones he gets. And in a locker room full of developing players, having a vet who’s been through the grind matters.
This isn’t a splashy move, and that’s by design. It’s a strategic one - a veteran signing that could pay off quietly but meaningfully down the stretch.