The Warriors’ strong start has them sitting tied for third in the Western Conference at 8-3, with Stephen Curry and Yaxel Lendeborg driving the offense. But even with the wins piling up, there’s still a clear spot on the roster that could use help.
The issue is the frontcourt. With Kristaps Porzingis stepping away from basketball to focus on his health, Golden State is leaning on Draymond Green, Al Horford, and Charles Bassey to handle the paint.
That’s a thin group, and it’s exactly why Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin O’Connor floated a trade idea that would send Porzingis and draft capital to the Orlando Magic for Wendell Carter Jr.
“I think Wendell Carter would make a lot of sense if the Magic continue sliding here, and we’ll see if they do,” said O’Connor on his podcast.
O’Connor pointed to Carter’s physical profile and the parts of his game he believes haven’t been fully tapped in Orlando.
“Carter, to me, his size, 270 pounds, the rebounding that he provides, the connective passing and playmaking that I think is a bit underutilized in his career with the Magic. I’ve always been a fan of his passing vision out of the elbow areas. I think it would fit that Warriors offense.”
Carter is putting together a strong season, averaging 14.1 points on a career-high 61.0% shooting, along with 9.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 33.4 minutes per game. For a Warriors team looking for more muscle and more production inside, that kind of line would be hard to ignore.
O’Connor said he sees Carter as a player who could thrive with a fresh start.
“I think Carter is a really good player who’s been stuck in some not-so-good situations so far in his career in Chicago (Bulls) and Orlando, and I think for Golden State, he would be my top target,” said O’Connor.
He also named Trey Murphy III of the New Orleans Pelicans as another fit for Golden State.
In Other News...
Shorthanded Magic Just Proved Something Important On This Road Trip
On the second night of a back-to-back, with a short bench and a long injury list, Orlando still found a way to look like a team with some fight in it. The Magic went into Utah and handled the Jazz 123-108, getting a huge night from Franz Wagner, who led the way with 38 points, while Desmond Bane added 25 and Anthony Black chipped in 22.
The bigger takeaway for Orlando was not just the result, but the manner in which it came. Playing with only 10 available players, the Magic improved to 4-7 and showed they can still generate enough offense and composure to win on the road even when the rotation is stretched thin. For a group trying to steady itself early in the season, that kind of response matters. [Read more 🡒]
Magic Finally Got The Jolt Fans Have Been Waiting For
After four straight losses, Orlando finally found some traction in Sacramento, where the Magic snapped the skid with a 107-100 win at Golden 1 Center. Franz Wagner set the tone with a season-high 33 points, and Anthony Black gave the offense a needed lift with 26 as Orlando showed a little more balance than it had during the slide.
The lineup shuffle was part of the backdrop, too, with Sean Sweeney going to his sixth different starting five of the season and putting Anthony Black in the opening group while Jase Richardson returned to the bench. Sacramento made it uncomfortable late behind Darius Acuff Jr.'s 29 points and Zach LaVine's 31, but the Kings still dropped their fourth in a row and sixth straight at home, leaving Orlando with a much-needed result and a few things to build on. [Read more 🡒]
Magic Have A Chance To Exploit One Growing Jazz Weakness
Orlandos recent rise on the glass has given the team a sturdier foundation, and that matters in a matchup where neither side has exactly been lighting it up from the perimeter. The Magic have improved their rebounding rates, which has helped offset some of the shooting issues that have followed them, while Utah has been trying to navigate its own offensive inconsistency as injuries continue to reshape the rotation.
The Jazzs availability chart is a problem in its own right, with key frontcourt absences altering how they can defend and finish possessions. Orlando will be watching that closely, because a game that already figures to hinge on effort and second chances now carries an added edge if the Magic can keep leaning into one of their clearer advantages and force Utah to play uphill for long stretches. [Read more 🡒]