17 articles
ORL • Center-Forward • #34
about 10 hours ago
For the third time this season, WCJ was able to record a double-double. He was the leading rebounder in this game, and the Magic outrebounded the Warriors, which contributed to the win. Carter’s minutes are up this year, which has led to him averaging more rebounds than he did in each of the last two seasons. He’ll continue to play a large role for Orlando as the starting center, which should lead to more double-doubles moving forward.
ORL • Center-Forward • #34
17 days ago
Carter recorded his second double-double of the season on Saturday, finishing one rebound shy of his season-high. Over his last two games, the Magic center has scored 34 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field. Rostered in 27 percent of Yahoo! leagues, Carter’s limited offensive production gives him a low ceiling. And with Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane at the top of the pecking order, that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.
ORL • Center-Forward • #34
19 days ago
While Carter has grabbed at least eight rebounds in five of his six games played, the offensive production has been limited. Having scored between eight and 10 points in Orlando’s first five games, WCJ had his best night of the season against the Hornets. He established season-highs in points and three-pointers while shooting 66.7 percent from the field. However, while this was a solid effort, Carter’s production before Thursday suggests that this won’t become the norm. Especially with Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane ahead of him in the pecking order. Carter remains a deep-league option only.
ORL • Center-Forward • #34
about 1 month ago
Carter Jr. was one of four Magic starters to score in double figures on Thursday, mostly using efficiency inside the arc to find his scoring production. Yet, the veteran center made splashes in several other areas, as well. His most noteworthy contributions arguably came as a facilitator, notching a preseason-high in assists and leading Orlando’s starters in that category on Thursday. Carter Jr. also found production in the defensive end and ultimately logged a strong game overall to wrap up what was a solid preseason for him.
ORL • Center-Forward • #34
about 1 month ago
After playing 13 minutes in Orlando’s preseason opener, Carter’s workload increased to 21 minutes on Friday. And he was excellent against the 76ers, shooting efficiently while commanding the glass on both ends of the floor. Six of Carter’s game-high 13 rebounds were of the offensive variety, a highly productive effort from a player who’s averaged at least three offensive boards per game once in his NBA career (2019-20 in Chicago). Of course, the concern regarding Carter in fantasy basketball is his availability, as he’s surpassed 60 games twice in his first seven seasons. The 2024-25 campaign was one of those, as Carter played a career-high 68 games. Fantasy managers should reap the rewards if he can match or exceed that number.
ORL • Center-Forward • #34
7 months ago
Carter reached double digits in rebounds in four of the five games, recording two double-doubles. While he certainly wasn’t elite, the Magic center had a decent finish to his fourth full season with the franchise. Appearing in 68 regular-season games, Carter’s scoring output decreased, but he was more productive in rebounds, assists, steals and blocked shots. Unfortunately, the starting role has not made WCJ a significant fantasy asset, as he finished the season ranked outside the top-175 in category leagues and outside the top-150 in points leagues. With three guaranteed seasons remaining on his contract, Carter will likely go into training camp locked into the starting center role.
ORL • Center-Forward • #34
7 months ago
Carter Jr.'s 10 points may not seem like much, but he was the only Magic player in double figures outside of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. The 26-year-old center also added 12 rebounds to earn himself a double-double. He’ll continue to be a crucial piece of the Magic’s supporting cast as they look to even the series in Game 4 Sunday.
ORL • Center-Forward • #34
7 months ago
After scoring just four points in Game 1, Carter was more impactful on that end of the floor Wednesday night. He shot 75 percent from the field and made all three of his three-point attempts. The eight rebounds were also solid, but, as was the case in Game 1, Carter did not record any defensive stats. During the regular season, he averaged 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks per game, so that is not a huge surprise. However, given Orlando’s offensive struggles outside of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, Carter’s play and production are critical if the Magic are to have any chance of winning this series. Trailing two games to none, Orlando hosts Game 3 on Friday.
ORL • Center-Forward • #34
7 months ago
Give Carter credit for his work on the boards and for being Kristaps Porzingis’ primary defender for most of Game 1. However, the offensive production was lackluster, a trend that also persisted during the regular season. Carter’s average of 9.1 per game was the lowest of his NBA career; this was the first season in which he failed to average double figures. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner will do most of the heavy lifting offensively, but they’re going to need help in this series. Fellow starters Carter, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (6/4/2/3 with two three-pointers) and Cory Joseph (zero points, two assists) combining to score 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting isn’t good enough. Game 2 is on Wednesday night.
ORL • Center-Forward • #34
7 months ago
Carter was excellent on Tuesday, and the time off that comes with earning the seventh seed should benefit him. The Magic center rolled his right ankle during the first half and banged knees with a Hawks defender during the third quarter. The good news is that neither injury forced Carter out of Tuesday’s game immediately, and Orlando pulling away during the fourth quarter got him a little more time on the bench late. The Magic don’t play Boston in Game 1 of their first-round series until Sunday, which should help Carter regain strength.
ORL • Center-Forward • #34
7 months ago
Carter was excellent on Tuesday, and the time off that comes with earning the seventh seed should benefit him. The Magic center rolled his right ankle during the first half and banged knees with a Hawks defender during the third quarter. The good news is that neither injury forced Carter out of Tuesday’s game immediately, and Orlando pulling away during the fourth quarter got him a little more time on the bench late. The Magic don’t play Boston in Game 1 of their first-round series until Sunday, which should help Carter regain strength.
ORL • Center-Forward • #34
7 months ago
WCJ and KCP will return from one-game absences against Atlanta. Gary Harris and Goga Bitadze will likely be relegated to bench roles on Sunday.
ORL • Center-Forward • #34
7 months ago
Both WCJ and KCP sat out against Indiana on Friday, and it would be surprising if they played on Sunday since Orlando has already clinched the seventh seed in the East. Gary Harris and Goga Bitadze should start once again, with Jett Howard playing a significant role off the bench.
Source: NBA Injury Report
ORL • Center-Forward • #34
8 months ago
Carter has scored 12 points or more in five of his last seven appearances. While this would not be a significant deal for most starters, it is for a player who has battled inconsistency for most of the season. However, even with the increased scoring output, Carter remains a player who cannot be trusted in 12-team leagues. Over the past two weeks, he’s ranked outside the top 200 in eight- and nine-cat formats. Backup Goga Bitadze (12/10/5/1/1 in 18 minutes) has been better, but his overall fantasy value hasn’t been much to brag about. With Orlando’s three-game Week 22 ending on Thursday, there isn’t much to gain from rostering either in standard leagues.
ORL • Center-Forward • #34
8 months ago
Even with a fluctuating role that saw him spend a lot of time as both a starter and a reserve, WCJ hasn’t been a great rebounder this season. However, he was able to record his ninth double-double of the season on Sunday. It was one of Carter Jr.’s best games on the glass, but he wasn’t able to contribute much value in other categories. Unfortunately for fantasy managers that need him for the playoffs, Orlando only plays two games next week.
ORL • Center-Forward • #34
9 months ago
WCJ will be remembered for his final touch of the game, but he should get credit for getting the Magic a final chance to tie or win the game. On Chicago’s last possession, he knocked the ball away from Coby White and dove on the floor to cause a tie-up. He won the ensuing jump ball, setting the Magic up for at least one more shot. Paolo Banchero’s go-ahead three was a miss. Carter Jr. corralled the rebound, but instead of tipping it in, he came down with it and then dunked it after time expired. It was a heartbreaking end to Orlando’s fifth-straight loss.
ORL • Center-Forward • #34
9 months ago
Carter Jr. continues to start at center for the Magic, but it hasn’t resulted in a massive leap in production. He has been solid on the glass, grabbing double digit rebounds in three of his last five starts. Carter Jr. remains the best fantasy center in Orlando, but neither he nor Goga Bitadze has provided standard league in recent weeks. Carter Jr. ranks just inside the top-150 in nine-cat leagues over the past two weeks.