Key players off to a hot start for the Orlando Magic this season: 2. Wendell Carter Jr.
With Mo Bamba in the midst of a breakout, Wendell Carter Jr. is playing power forward as his primary position for the first time. So far, things seem to be working out well for the young big man.
In his first full season in Orlando, Carter is averaging 13.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, both signifying the best averages of his young career. He’s also slowly showing a better ability to pass, averaging 2.4 assists per contest.
Importantly, this is the first year Carter has shown an ability to step back and stroke it from three. His 3.8 attempts from three per game are easily a career-high, while his 6.7 attempts from two are a career-low. He’s hitting those threes at a 40 percent rate, too.
Carter is also dominating the offensive boards. He has 29 offensive rebounds so far this season, ranking 16th in the NBA. His offensive rebound percentage is 9.3 percent, which also ranks in the top 20. Even is defensive rebounding percentage and total rebound percentage rank top-20 in the NBA.
The Magic look brilliant for signing the 22-year-old to a four-year, $50 million extension despite him having never played a full season for the franchise. The early returns this season show the front office made a shrewd move in locking up the big man.