Wendell Carter Jr. has agreed to a new contract with the Magic, extending his stay for three more years at $58.7 million.
Contract Details:
Carter’s previous deal was a four-year, $50 million contract that was frontloaded. This new agreement ensures he remains with the team until the 2028-29 season. According to ESPNโs Bobby Marks, Carter will earn $18.1 million in 2026-27, $19.6 million in 2027-28, and $21 million in 2028-29 (https://x.com/BobbyMarks42/status/1843471920605606392). Keith Smith from Spotrac explains that this is the highest amount Carter could receive because his salary for 2025-26 is below the average player salary (https://x.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/1843476035435933991). With rising salary caps, Carter’s pay seems fair for a starting center.
Magicโs Big Men Strategy:
The Magic have secured long-term deals for their key big men. Franz Wagner signed a five-year max extension back in July (https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2024/07/magics-franz-wagner-signing-five-year-max-extension.html). By signing now, Carter can’t be traded this season as noted by Smith (https://x.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/1843478499669225956).
We think fans are excited about these long-term commitments.
Carterโs Career and Injuries:
Carter is entering his seventh NBA season at just 25 years old. Over his career of 315 regular-season games, he’s averaged 12.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in about 27 minutes per game. However, injuries have been an issue; he’s never played more than 62 games in one season.
Last year, he appeared in only 55 games due to various injuries but still managed to average solid numbers: 11 points and nearly seven rebounds per game. In the playoffs, he scored an average of 7.6 points and grabbed over six rebounds across seven games.
After last season ended, Carter had surgery on his left hand to insert a plate where he had previously fractured it (https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2024/05/wendell-carter-jr-to-undergo-another-surgical-procedure-on-left-hand.html). He also missed time due to right knee inflammation during the same period.
Let’s hope these injuries donโt slow him down any further!
