Could Magic Big Man Wendell Carter Jr. Be Traded at the Deadline?

Wendell Carter Jr. makes his impact felt in every game he plays in for the Orlando Magic, and other teams around the league have interest in that.

The Orlando Magic has been very quiet in the trade market for the past couple seasons, as coach Jamahl Mosley would rather keep the same core group of guys. But could this be the season the Magic finally makes a big move?

Wendell Carter Jr / Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

There is growing speculation that center Wendell Carter Jr. is a player to monitor ahead of the trade deadline, as some teams are apparently interested. Former ESPN reporter Marc Stein believes that the Magic has enough depth at his position, and the return for Carter Jr. would be substantial.

"Orlando’s frontcourt depth (via Paolo Banchero, brothers Franz and Moritz Wagner, frequent starter Goga Bitadze and Jonathan Isaac) and the eventual need to sign Banchero and Franz Wagner to lucrative extensions has led to the belief in some rival front offices that Carter is available in this trade window," Stein writes.

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Trading Carter Jr. would be a big move for the Magic, as he has been a big part of the team's identity ever since it acquired him from the Chicago Bulls back in 2020. The team still has a bit of time until the Feb. 8 deadline to figure out if it wants to make a move, or just stick with what it's got, as the team is enjoying success so far this season.

Carter Jr. and the rest of the Magic will be back in action at home on Sunday against Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. ET at Kia Center.