Given Brook Lopez’s age, there’s a good chance his production will taper off sooner or later. Before that happens, the Milwaukee Bucks could acquire Wendell Carter Jr. from the Orlando Magic to make their defense with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo more energetic.
Carter entered the league as a Chicago Bulls player with the seventh overall pick. 2018 NBA Draft. He made his debut in 2018, scoring 8 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and a block against the Philadelphia 76ers. A few days later, the huge man put on his first impressive performance, scoring a season-high 25 points with eight rebounds, five assists, three blocks and three steals in an overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets.
In 2021, Carter was traded from the Bulls to the Orlando Magic, where he continued to shine. Later that year, he signed a four-year, $50 million contract with the Magic. A year later, Carter scored a career-high 30 points in a 90–85 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
It was a feat he repeated a few months later in a 116–108 loss to the same team. However, he was suspended by the NBA for one game without pay for coming off the bench during an altercation against the Detroit Pistons in the 2022–23 season. Carter played in only 55 games the following season due to various injuries.
Milwaukee Bucks trade Brook Lopez for Wendel Carter Jr. from Orlando Magic.
If the Bucks front office is looking to add to the center position, one guy they should be looking at is Carter. In an article for Forbes, Brian Sampson detailed why the former Bulls rookie is potentially a good move for Antetokounmpo and company.
“This deal would accomplish a lot for the Bucks. First, it would give them a mobile center who would allow for a more versatile defensive scheme. Carter Jr. may be smaller than Lopez, but his versatility is key if Milwaukee is going to beat the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference playoffs.”
Second, the trade would put the Bucks under the second apron. This financial maneuver is significant because it would grant them access to the Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception, allowing them to sign a more impactful free agent. Additionally, it could facilitate a combined trade involving Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton.
While this move would severely limit Milwaukee, it opens up a lot of doors for them in the offseason. This could be the start of a rebuilt roster that will provide the Bucks with sustained success as they seek another championship.” Sampson wrote.
The Last SeasonCarter averaged 11.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. He also shot 52 percent from the field, 37 percent from long range and nearly 70 percent from the free throw line.
The question remains whether Carter can make his way to Milwaukee and potentially replace Lopez, or stay in Orlando because he has two years left on his contract. Either way, his presence could unlock the Bucks and give coach Doc Rivers a more versatile huge man to work with Antetokounmpo and Lillard.
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