Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
Magic 'More Settled' When Wendell Carter Jr. Plays
ORLANDO - There are a lot of players around the league that don't get the praise they deserve, including Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr.
As the first main piece returning to Orlando in the Nikola Vucevic trade two years ago, Carter has been a strong foundation for the Magic during the team's rebuild.
His efforts, specifically on the defensive end, have placed him at No. 96 in The Ringer's updated Top 125 rankings.
"The Magic seem more settled any time Carter is on the floor, especially on defense," The Ringer writes. "He’s a stout interior defender who moves fluidly in tight spaces, with long arms and a solid frame that make him an enforcing rim protector in drop coverages or in help. Those same qualities make him a strong post defender too, and in recent years he’s played some of the best defense of anyone against the likes of Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid."
Not only is Carter a force on defense, but he has been respectable on the offensive end. This season, he averaged a career-high 15.2 points per game, but still has room to grow on the offensive end.
"On offense, Carter’s primary responsibility is to set screens and facilitate handoffs," The Ringer writes. He’s a talented passer who makes quick reads and throws accurate passes, but he’s never been surrounded by shooters in his career. He’d be more effective himself if he were a better-than-average shooter, but his shot has never really come along. Nonetheless, he’s a strong screener and a skilled interior scorer who has the soft hands and court awareness to catch tough passes and then finish in a blink."
With Paolo Banchero playing next to him in the Magic frontcourt, Carter doesn't need to be some offensive wizard, but if he can continue making strides with his outside shot and strengthen on the defensive end even more, he could be higher on this list when the next update comes out.
You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.
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