As the NBA trade deadline approaches, new trade targets will emerge. We’ll start to hear the rumors. Players who weren’t previously understood to be on the market will suddenly be said to be available.
The Orlando Magic have put a significant player on the market. It seems that Wendell Carter Jr. is available. That makes sense. The Magic have been enjoying success with Goga Bitadze in the middle. Carter Jr. may have lost his role with this organization.
In all likelihood, somebody else would like to give him a role. Carter Jr. is a productive player, and he’s still young. Could the Dallas Mavericks make a move for him?
NBA Trade Proposal: Dallas Mavericks Land Orlando Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr.
Orlando Magic Receive: C Richaun Holmes, 2027 First-Round Pick (DAL)
Dallas Mavericks Receive: C Wendell Carter Jr.
As the season progresses, the league’s dynamics change. New buyers and sellers will emerge. Some teams occupy a higher place in the league’s hierarchy than expected. Other teams are falling short of expectations.
The Mavericks lie somewhere in between. They look like darkhorse contenders. Still, with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on the roster, they likely hoped to look a bit better. The Mavericks could use a roster upgrade.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Wendell Carter Jr, Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks Updates
How about the Magic? In terms of their place in the standings, they’ve surpassed expectations. With that said, there was a point in the year where they were further ahead. The Magic have regressed to the mean.
Should they make a future-focused trade like this one?
Why The Orlando Magic Do The Deal
Sure. The Magic don’t need to compete for an NBA title this year. That was never the expectation. A playoff berth would be a success for Orlando this year, so they could justify acting as sellers at the deadline.
That’s what they’re doing here. The Magic have established that they don’t need Carter Jr. With that in mind, moving off his contract is a sensible decision. Here, they’re taking back a shorter deal by acquiring Holmes.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Wendell Carter Jr, Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks Updates
Granted, he’s not likely to crack their rotation. That’s why the Magic are also netting an unprotected first-rounder here. This summer, they could use that asset to make a larger trade for a win-now player.
Should the Mavericks part with that asset?
Why The Dallas Mavericks Do The Deal
The Magic may not need Carter Jr. Some may suggest that the Mavericks don’t either. Derrick Lively III has been a reliable option for them in his rookie year. Should the Mavericks target a different type of player with their assets?
Perhaps. With that said, Carter Jr. is a floor spacer. He can share the floor with Lively for stretches. More broadly, the Mavericks could use another reliable option at the 5. Carter Jr. can provide one – he’d probably start for this team.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Wendell Carter Jr, Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks Updates
After all, he provides a lot of value on a basketball court. Carter Jr. is a floor spacer who can defend in space. He’s also a solid positional passer. He’ll make the Mavericks a better team – he might be the perfect target for this group.
