Magic Postseason Profile: Wendell Carter Jr. 'Learning How to Lead'

Wendell Carter Jr. is looking to take another step forward in his role with the Orlando Magic.

ORLANDO - As the key piece of the Nikola Vucevic deal in 2021, Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. enjoyed a banner year in his second full season on the team.

After spending his first 2+ career seasons with the Chicago Bulls, Carter was traded to Orlando in March of 2021, along the Bulls first-round pick that year - eventually becoming No. 8 pick Franz Wagner. 

In his first full season suiting up in Orlando, Carter posted then career-highs in points (15.0), rebounds (10.5), assists (2.8) and 3PM (1.1), with those numbers jumping even further to 19.6 points and 11.6 rebounds following the 2021 All Star Break. 

And this season, the versatile big man saw those numbers elevate to new highs in points (15.2), three-point attempts (3.9) and three-point percentage (35.6 percent).

"I feel like I'm comfortable in both positions," Carter said in Monday's exit interview on playing power forward and center. "Especially on this team, guys just play basketball so it just makes it so much easier for me no matter what position."

Heralding the third-youngest roster in the association, Carter sees himself taking a bigger role for this Magic team that has seen a massive roster overhaul over his 25 months with the franchise. 

"That's going to be a big step for me," Carter said in Monday's exit interview. "Learning how to lead, be more vocal. I'm a guy that can thankfully say I lead pretty good by example, but being able to talk up when things aren't right." 

But as the old saying goes: "availability is the best ability." 

And due to various injuries over his five-year tenure, Carter has yet to play near a full 82-game season, with the 62 games he appeared in 2021 being a career-high. 

"Getting my body right so I'm available is probably the biggest thing for me," Carter said on this offseason. "And just being more aggressive on the offensive and defensive end. I think I made a huge step since being traded here about two years ago." 

Should Carter stay healthy, he'll play an even bigger role for the Magic next season.

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You can follow Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard.

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