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NBA Trade Rumor: Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr. Could Be Moved; Perfect Mavs Backup Center?

Originally posted on FanNation Dallas Basketball
By Dalton Trigg | Last updated 1/12/24

As the current cast of Dallas Mavericks players try to find a way to build on their 23-16 record, which is good for seventh-place in the Western Conference heading into two huge home games against the sixth-ranked New Orleans Pelicans, the front office continues to search for ways to upgrade the roster.

Most notably, the Mavs need frontcourt help with their starting power forward and backup center positions, and when it comes to fours, Dallas has already been linked to Toronto Raptors' Pascal Siakam, Portland Trail Blazers' Jerami Grant and others. But when it comes to reserve center help, what could be the Mavs' realistic options?

We've already spitballed the Mavs potentially bringing in Washington Wizards' Daniel Gafford, Chicago Bulls' Andre Drummond and Utah Jazz's Kelly Olynyk, but there's another interesting reserve big that could be on the trade block at the perfect time for Dallas.

According to a report from Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer, sixth-year Orlando Magic big man Wendell Carter Jr. is a name to watch for as the Feb. 8 trade deadline gets closer.

“Wendell Carter continues to be a name that a lot of league executives talk about as a potential trade candidate this February being that Goga Bitadze has done a phenomenal job starting for Orlando," Fischer said.

After returning from a 20-game absence due to a broken hand on Dec. 20, Carter has played in eight games since and has now missed four consecutive games due "knee tendonitis." In just 13 games, Carter has averaged 8.1 points and 6.4 rebounds in 24.4 minutes while shooting just 42.5 percent overall and 40.6 percent from deep.

Carter obviously hasn't had time to work himself back into his usual form, but while he's been out with unfortunate injuries, fifth-year big man out of the country of Georgia, Goga Bitadze, has taken over as Orlando's starting center. In 273 career games, Carter averaged 12.6 points and 8.7 rebounds while shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 32.6 percent from deep.

After this season, Carter is on the books for $12 million in 2024-25 and $10.9 million in 2025-26. Salary-wise, he matches up perfectly with Dallas' Richaun Holmes, who has been rumored as being one of the two players the Mavs have been shopping most ahead of the deadline.

Given that Carter is still only 24 years old, the Mavs would likely have to add some sort of draft compensation to make that deal work. A first-round pick is likely too rich for Dallas' blood, but what about one or two second-round picks?

The main concern for the Mavs is finding a way to get a better starting power forward to play next to 19-year-old Dereck Lively II, who has already dazzled as a starter with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. But make no mistake, finding a backup big to alleviate some of the pressure for Lively is high on the board as well, and Carter could be the guy to fill that void at an affordable price.