Los Angeles Lakers Reportedly Interested In Ex-7th Overall Pick

According to Sean Deveney of Heavy.com, the Los Angeles Lakers have interest in Wendell Carter Jr.

Jun 21, 2018; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Wendell Carter, Jr. (Duke) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number seven overall pick to the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Wendell Carter Jr. is coming off his sixth season in the NBA.

The former Duke star finished the year with averages of 11.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists per contest while shooting 52.5% from the field and 37.4% from the three-point range in 55 games.

Recently, Sean Deveney of Heavy.com reported that the Los Angeles Lakers are among several teams with interest in Carter Jr.

The Lakers are showing interest in Wendell Carter Jr., per @SeanDeveney pic.twitter.com/q21FnQlhqw

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 11, 2024

While it's just a rumor, Carter Jr. would be an intriguing addition to Los Angeles.

He also has a very movable contract that will pay him less than $12 million for the 2024-25 season.

Oct 30, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) and guard Markelle Fultz (20) play for the rebound against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Carter Jr. was initially the seventh pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls.

He spent the first two and a half seasons of his career in Chicago.

His career averages are 12.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per contest while shooting 51.7% from the field and 33.4% from the three-point range in 315 regular season games.

Apr 12, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) dunks the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Last year, Carter Jr. helped lead the Magic to the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season (they lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 of the first round).

Apparently the Lakers interested in Wendell Carter Jr.

Height: 6’10
Age: 25 yrs
Contract: 11.9 million

Here’s his numbers over the last three seasons —

13.8 PPG
8.8 REB
0.6 BLK
52% FG - 35% 3P (3.5 attempts)

How do y’all feel about potentially getting him? pic.twitter.com/QrHioSh5w7

— 🎗NBA•Fan🎗 (@Klutch_23) July 11, 2024

As for the Lakers, they have one of the most talented duos in the NBA with superstars Anthony Davis and LeBron James.

They finished the 2023-24 season as the seventh seed in the Western Conference with a 47-35 record.

However, the Lakers lost to Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the NBA playoffs (in five games).