Wendell Carter Out Indefinitely with a Broken Hand (11/28 update: cast is off, 1-2 weeks from return)

[BlueBalls]

Black from 3???

[Message Boar]

Black from 3???

You've been posting in the wrong thread, my guy

[Knightro]

Not knocking Wendell because I like him, but...

He's never blocked 5 shots in a game in his 265 career NBA games.

[RookieStar]

Not knocking Wendell because I like him, but...

He's never blocked 5 shots in a game in his 265 career NBA games.

We know.. despite having that 7'5 wingspan, being 6'9ish and heavy doesnt make him a rim protector.

[Skybox]

Not knocking Wendell because I like him, but...

He's never blocked 5 shots in a game in his 265 career NBA games.

We know.. despite having that 7'5 wingspan, being 6'9ish and heavy doesnt make him a rim protector.

He's in that "big (and maybe a little slow) for a modern PF, but not really a C" category, along with AD. WCJ has said it himself, earlier in his career- his best spot is PF. Unfortunately, many PF's today look like Jayson Tatum.

He's a very good player, but in a bit of a no-man's land, position-wise and skill-wise. I'm certainly not betting on Goga repeating his performance, but he's a Center. Derrick Lively is a Center. Jovic is from another planet - the one that makes me wonder if Kerr's idea about developing Banchero as some kind of alien Center is something to consider...it wasn't great in FIBA, but it's interesting.

Plan B, imo, is to move WCJ (only because he's got great value) for an ace shooting guard like Simons and, if we're very lucky, get back a rim-protector, defense-first guy like Rob Williams back in the deal (obviously we'd add). Williams is undersized too, but plays the Center role...he could back up Goga, but get a lot of minutes.

Another angle, I'd keep WCJ as a very strong 4/5 off the bench - getting serious minutes backing up both spots.

WCJ would also be great next to a thinner Center like Wemby, JJJ, Mobley, or Chet...or a less versatile brute like Ayton, or Kessler. WCJ is extremely versatile, just not really giving us "pure" center skills we need next to Paolo & Franz, IMO. Our team rebounding has actually been really good this year, but it'd be nice to have the kind of guy that gets 16 rebounds and 4 blocks in an important playoff game someday. I don't think that's him.

This is not one game knee jerk reaction, I've been saying this for months.

[Knightro]

Not knocking Wendell because I like him, but...

He's never blocked 5 shots in a game in his 265 career NBA games.

We know.. despite having that 7'5 wingspan, being 6'9ish and heavy doesnt make him a rim protector.

He's in that "big (and maybe a little slow) for a modern PF, but not really a C" category, along with AD. WCJ has said it himself, earlier in his career- his best spot is PF. Unfortunately, many PF's today look like Jayson Tatum.

He's a very good player, but in a bit of a no-man's land, position-wise and skill-wise. I'm certainly not betting on Goga repeating his performance, but he's a Center. Derrick Lively is a Center. Jovic is from another planet - the one that makes me wonder if Kerr's idea about developing Banchero as some kind of alien Center is something to consider...it wasn't great in FIBA, but it's interesting.

Plan B, imo, is to move WCJ (only because he's got great value) for an ace shooting guard like Simons and, if we're very lucky, get back a rim-protector, defense-first guy like Rob Williams back in the deal (obviously we'd add). Williams is undersized too, but plays the Center role...he could back up Goga, but get a lot of minutes.

Another angle, I'd keep WCJ as a very strong 4/5 off the bench - getting serious minutes backing up both spots.

WCJ would also be great next to a thinner Center like Wemby, JJJ, Mobley, or Chet...or a less versatile brute like Ayton, or Kessler. WCJ is extremely versatile, just not really giving us "pure" center skills we need next to Paolo & Franz, IMO. Our team rebounding has actually been really good this year, but it'd be nice to have the kind of guy that gets 16 rebounds and 4 blocks in an important playoff game someday. I don't think that's him.

This is not one game knee jerk reaction, I've been saying this for months.

I like the idea, but ultimately my fear is that a lot of these guys who have been starters for multiple seasons like Carter and Fultz, just aren’t going to be cool with accepting a lesser role on the same team.

Ideally they all would be, but everybody has an ego, ya know?

[Skybox]

We know.. despite having that 7'5 wingspan, being 6'9ish and heavy doesnt make him a rim protector.

He's in that "big (and maybe a little slow) for a modern PF, but not really a C" category, along with AD. WCJ has said it himself, earlier in his career- his best spot is PF. Unfortunately, many PF's today look like Jayson Tatum.

He's a very good player, but in a bit of a no-man's land, position-wise and skill-wise. I'm certainly not betting on Goga repeating his performance, but he's a Center. Derrick Lively is a Center. Jovic is from another planet - the one that makes me wonder if Kerr's idea about developing Banchero as some kind of alien Center is something to consider...it wasn't great in FIBA, but it's interesting.

Plan B, imo, is to move WCJ (only because he's got great value) for an ace shooting guard like Simons and, if we're very lucky, get back a rim-protector, defense-first guy like Rob Williams back in the deal (obviously we'd add). Williams is undersized too, but plays the Center role...he could back up Goga, but get a lot of minutes.

Another angle, I'd keep WCJ as a very strong 4/5 off the bench - getting serious minutes backing up both spots.

WCJ would also be great next to a thinner Center like Wemby, JJJ, Mobley, or Chet...or a less versatile brute like Ayton, or Kessler. WCJ is extremely versatile, just not really giving us "pure" center skills we need next to Paolo & Franz, IMO. Our team rebounding has actually been really good this year, but it'd be nice to have the kind of guy that gets 16 rebounds and 4 blocks in an important playoff game someday. I don't think that's him.

This is not one game knee jerk reaction, I've been saying this for months.

I like the idea, but ultimately my fear is that a lot of these guys who have been starters for multiple seasons like Carter and Fultz, just aren’t going to be cool with accepting a lesser role on the same team.

Ideally they all would be, but everybody has an ego, ya know?

I get it...then start elsewhere (or try to).

I really like WCJ next to Wemby. Really nice fit, both young and versatile, WCJ is so adaptable and heady...possibly same story with Mobley, who CLE fans are anointing a Center lately. He'd be better than Adams next to JJJ, even if he's not the rebounder that Adams is. I'm not looking to dump him, I just think that's the player he truly is. Just like Fultz' ineptitude without at least 3 good shooters around him (preferably 4, so he can just do his thing).

[OrlandoSaban]

I've said before season started that we really can't afford Wendell's injury, and ofc, 5 games into a season, Wendell get hurt... ffs

Bitadze needs to prove the haters wrong:

He did last night!

[drsd]

Carter with surgery, to be "evaluated in three weeks, doe not mean returning. I would say it is certain for 6-8 weeks now.

50/50 for a return before Christmas. That sort of return.

[Residual-Heat]

Goga looked good out there, having a shot blocker at C makes a huge difference. Our guys play hard on that end but having a shot blocker is like having an extra layer of protection. Part of the reason Goga got 5 blocks is because of the efforts of everyone else. Thats why ive been saying since last season that i would like the Magic to get that type of back up C. If Goga is the answer then great, but what does that say about Mosely who doesnt give him playing time until WCJ goes down? It was just one game, so we'll see...

[RookieStar]

Carter with surgery, to be "evaluated in three weeks, doe not mean returning. I would say it is certain for 6-8 weeks now.

50/50 for a return before Christmas. That sort of return.

Yup... we know the history of WCJ. A simple 2-3 game injury ends up being 6-8 games because of our organization. For now we don't have complaints. We will see later on if we are in trouble with Goga. lol

[RookieStar]

We know.. despite having that 7'5 wingspan, being 6'9ish and heavy doesnt make him a rim protector.

He's in that "big (and maybe a little slow) for a modern PF, but not really a C" category, along with AD. WCJ has said it himself, earlier in his career- his best spot is PF. Unfortunately, many PF's today look like Jayson Tatum.

He's a very good player, but in a bit of a no-man's land, position-wise and skill-wise. I'm certainly not betting on Goga repeating his performance, but he's a Center. Derrick Lively is a Center. Jovic is from another planet - the one that makes me wonder if Kerr's idea about developing Banchero as some kind of alien Center is something to consider...it wasn't great in FIBA, but it's interesting.

Plan B, imo, is to move WCJ (only because he's got great value) for an ace shooting guard like Simons and, if we're very lucky, get back a rim-protector, defense-first guy like Rob Williams back in the deal (obviously we'd add). Williams is undersized too, but plays the Center role...he could back up Goga, but get a lot of minutes.

Another angle, I'd keep WCJ as a very strong 4/5 off the bench - getting serious minutes backing up both spots.

WCJ would also be great next to a thinner Center like Wemby, JJJ, Mobley, or Chet...or a less versatile brute like Ayton, or Kessler. WCJ is extremely versatile, just not really giving us "pure" center skills we need next to Paolo & Franz, IMO. Our team rebounding has actually been really good this year, but it'd be nice to have the kind of guy that gets 16 rebounds and 4 blocks in an important playoff game someday. I don't think that's him.

This is not one game knee jerk reaction, I've been saying this for months.

I like the idea, but ultimately my fear is that a lot of these guys who have been starters for multiple seasons like Carter and Fultz, just aren’t going to be cool with accepting a lesser role on the same team.

Ideally they all would be, but everybody has an ego, ya know?

W can always point out that " IF CP3 CAN GO TO THE BENCH, YOU CAN TOO" lol

[Knightro]

Read on Twitter

Wendell is getting closer.

[JoshuaPotter]

I know that we are doing well without him. But I do want him to recover well and yes come back.

I would rather have the problem of having WCJ & Goga healthy then not.

In the meantime, as good as Goga has been for us. Few bad games and a lot of peoples opinions of Goga / Mo could really sore as well "miss" WCJ production.

[Fortune Teller]

Fultz already listed as "out" again tonight. It will be his 13th game missed out of the first 18.

Ben Simmons-itis.

[Optimus_Steel]

I know that we are doing well without him. But I do want him to recover well and yes come back.

I would rather have the problem of having WCJ & Goga healthy then not.

In the meantime, as good as Goga has been for us. Few bad games and a lot of peoples opinions of Goga / Mo could really sore as well "miss" WCJ production.

These are good problems to have. Multiple good players.

[JoshuaPotter]

Fultz already listed as "out" again tonight. It will be his 13th game missed out of the first 18.

Ben Simmons-itis.

Maybe this thread isn't the right place for further Fultz discussion. While I am in no hurry for him to come back based on record and how the team is playing. In some way or vacuum. I hope he is OK. All this talk about him having a physical condition on and off throughout the years just makes me think that his career is done. We gave him a chance to play through it, but much like that time we got him and he sat a year.

He just isn't healthy enough to recover.

Get well Fultz.