According to NBA insider Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports, the Los Angeles Lakers are considering a trade for Orlando Magic’s big man Wendell Carter Jr., who is set to earn $11.9 million next season.
“One player of interest who could help the Lakers fill several needs is Magic center Wendell Carter Jr.,” Deveney wrote. “An executive mentioned that he is the type of player the Lakers should target: ‘Relatively young, likely undervalued due to his injury history, and still developing his skillset,’ the executive told Heavy Sports. ‘The contract is favorable, and it makes sense for them. The Lakers are monitoring him, but so are many other teams.’ The executive also noted that the Magic would need to agree to what the Lakers are willing to offer, likely wanting a first-round pick, which the Lakers might be hesitant to part with at this point. The Lakers could propose D’Angelo Russell for Carter Jr., but the Magic would likely demand some youth, either a pick or last year’s first-rounder, Jalen Hood-Schifino.”
Carter Jr. played 55 games for the Magic last season, averaging 11.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.5 blocks while shooting 52.5% from the field, 37.4% from beyond the arc, and 69.4% from the free-throw line.
The Lakers were eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in five games, while the Magic lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round in seven games. An NBA executive told Deveney, “Wendell Carter Jr. is a player the Lakers would pursue. He could be a formidable backup for that team.”
Carter Jr., a Duke alumnus, has career averages of 12.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.8 blocks, having played for the Chicago Bulls and Magic. He was the seventh overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.