BREAKING NEWS: Orlando Magic Land $50 Million crucial key man from Knicks
After losing Isaiah Hartenstein to free agency, the New York Knicks are exploring trade options for a replacement, with Wendell Carter Jr. as a potential target.
However, acquiring Carter Jr., who has two years left on a $50 million contract, would be challenging. The Knicks might need to involve a third team to facilitate the trade with the Orlando Magic.
Proposed trade details:
– **Charlotte receives**: Mitchell Robinson, 2026 second-round pick (via ORL)
– **New York receives**: Wendell Carter Jr., Nick Richards
– **Orlando receives**: Cody Martin, Miles McBride
Carter Jr., a six-year veteran with a career 33% three-point shooting average, posted 11 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game in 55 regular-season appearances last year.
Charlotte, one of the few teams with cap space, would gain Robinson, who is under contract until 2026, and a high second-round pick from the Brooklyn Nets in return for facilitating the trade.
For Orlando, adding a backcourt player is crucial if Markelle Fultz does not return. Fultz, who started 18 games for the Magic last season, is now an unrestricted free agent and likely to leave. McBride, who had a breakout season averaging 8.3 points, 1.7 assists, and 1.5 rebounds in 68 regular-season appearances, is considered one of the best contracts in the NBA.
The Knicks, needing to replace Hartenstein, have shown interest in Richards and could benefit from a center like Carter Jr. for five-out lineups. Carter Jr.’s shooting ability would help New York keep pace with contenders like the Boston Celtics.
Orlando Has A Surplus Of Centers
As the Knicks explore trades to strengthen their center position, the Orlando Magic emerge as a feasible trade partner. This summer, the Magic re-signed Goga Bitadze and Moritz Wagner and extended forward Jonathan Isaac.
Wendell Carter Jr. has played 62, 57, and 55 games in his three seasons with Orlando, showing productivity when healthy. However, with Bitadze, Isaac, or Wagner potentially moving into a full-time starting role, the Magic face a dilemma.
With Carter Jr. on the floor for 2,805 possessions, the Magic outscored opponents by 1.8 points per 100 possessions. When he was off the floor for 4,857 possessions, this number improved to 2.7 points per 100 possessions.
Franchise cornerstone Paolo Banchero, a former first overall pick, is another candidate for increased center minutes next season. Although Banchero played only 7% of his minutes at center last season, his natural position is power forward. The Magic’s defense was elite during the 428 possessions he played at center, allowing just 108.5 points per 100 possessions, ranking in the 95th percentile league-wide.
Conversely, the frontcourt pairing of Banchero and Carter Jr. was outscored by 0.2 points per 100 possessions, scoring 110.6 points per 100 possessions, which is only in the 25th percentile.
This suggests a lack of synergy between the Magic’s best player and their starting center. To maximize the roster around Banchero, the Magic might consider parting ways with Carter Jr.
McBride’s Role Next Season Undetermined
After a strong Summer League showing, Tyler Kolek is set to take over as the Knicks’ backup point guard, according to SNY’s Ian Begley.
“The Knicks were thrilled to get Payne last week,” Begley wrote on July 21. “At the moment, he is viewed as the third lead guard behind Kolek, who had a very strong Summer League.”
Begley noted that having Kolek as the backup and utilizing Miles McBride will require some unorthodox flexibility from head coach Tom Thibodeau.
“Based on current projections after the Payne signing, Miles McBride is in the Knicks’ regular rotation,” Begley continued. “So to play Kolek, Thibodeau would need to expand his rotation to ten players.”
If Kolek becomes the backup point guard, McBride’s path to regular rotation minutes becomes less certain. Last season, McBride played 60% of his minutes, or 1,445 of his 2,405 possessions, at point guard.
With former starter Donte DiVincenzo moving to the bench after the Mikal Bridges trade, McBride could quickly find himself out of the regular rotation. Consequently, the Knicks might consider using McBride in a trade to acquire center help.