Official 2025-2026 Magic Trade ideas thread

[Skybox]

JI being moved before this season? Excuse me?

Unless they want to roll as is and be over the tax. WCJ can play some backup PF. WCJ ain't goin nowhere. They may ride til Mo gets back, who knows.

He's not going anywhere because he has no trade value. He's a contract player, any team interested in him would only be interested for financial purposes. JI actually has on court value, he just has the question mark of staying healthy (So does WCJ, btw). WCJ can be replaced by nearly anyone that plays basketball in the NCAA or even the D-League. His contract is saving him.[/quote]

I'm not the biggest Wendell fan...but that's absurd

[Redwood]

Unless they want to roll as is and be over the tax. WCJ can play some backup PF. WCJ ain't goin nowhere. They may ride til Mo gets back, who knows.

He's not going anywhere because he has no trade value. He's a contract player, any team interested in him would only be interested for financial purposes. JI actually has on court value, he just has the question mark of staying healthy (So does WCJ, btw). WCJ can be replaced by nearly anyone that plays basketball in the NCAA or even the D-League. His contract is saving him.[/quote]

I'm not the biggest Wendell fan...but that's absurd

What does he do that can't be replicated? Whether it's shooting, rebounding, defense, ball movement, whatever, what does he bring that can't be easily replaced? He's a warm body, you can throw nearly anyone out there that plays organized basketball and if there's a drop off it would hardly be noticeable. I don't think it's absurd at all, and sticking to the topic, JI is simply the better player and it's not even close. Nobody can even say "well WCJ at least stays healthy", because he doesn't do that either.

[BadMofoPimp]

Some people don't watch the games or just look at certain stats. WCJ is most definitely the best center on this team. Slim, Goga nor Moe can do what he can do just like each player has unique strengths. He is good value for his contract and has chemistry with the starters.

[shadrock]

So am i right in thinking the final roster spot is being kept open incase something catches our eye in Summer League, and if not, it will likely be a vet minimum signing of whoever is left?

[shadrock]

Some people don't watch the games or just look at certain stats. WCJ is most definitely the best center on this team. Slim, Goga nor Moe can do what he can do just like each player has unique strengths. He is good value for his contract and has chemistry with the starters.

I cannot comprehend how anyone can watch WCJ and still think hes a worthwhile C in this league. Guy is a born loser, has always been so, doesnt try, has bad body language, doesnt stretch the floor (cmon, those days are long gone), and doesnt do the small stuff like box out. What is his main strength as a player again? I honestly couldnt tell you.

At least with Goga, we know what he does for us, which is play great D and rebound. Same with Moe, at least hes a scoring big off the bench who hustles. WCJ is guaranteed to give us low effort low IQ sulky whiney garbage minutes.

[BadMofoPimp]

Some people don't watch the games or just look at certain stats. WCJ is most definitely the best center on this team. Slim, Goga nor Moe can do what he can do just like each player has unique strengths. He is good value for his contract and has chemistry with the starters.

I cannot comprehend how anyone can watch WCJ and still think hes a worthwhile C in this league. Guy is a born loser, has always been so, doesnt try, has bad body language, doesnt stretch the floor (cmon, those days are long gone), and doesnt do the small stuff like box out. What is his main strength as a player again? I honestly couldnt tell you.

At least with Goga, we know what he does for us, which is play great D and rebound. Same with Moe, at least hes a scoring big off the bench who hustles. WCJ is guaranteed to give us low effort low IQ sulky whiney garbage minutes.

Amazing he has pretty much been a starter his entire career. Must be doing something right unlike the players you like to mention. Maybe, you should watch the games more deeply instead of looking for what you don't personally like. Coaches watch much more game than we do and still pick him to start and close out games. Heck, he averaged 30mpg in the playoffs this year with Slim averaging like 13.5mpg and Goga's 5mpg.

[Skybox]

Some people don't watch the games or just look at certain stats. WCJ is most definitely the best center on this team. Slim, Goga nor Moe can do what he can do just like each player has unique strengths. He is good value for his contract and has chemistry with the starters.

I cannot comprehend how anyone can watch WCJ and still think hes a worthwhile C in this league. Guy is a born loser, has always been so, doesnt try, has bad body language, doesnt stretch the floor (cmon, those days are long gone), and doesnt do the small stuff like box out. What is his main strength as a player again? I honestly couldnt tell you.

At least with Goga, we know what he does for us, which is play great D and rebound. Same with Moe, at least hes a scoring big off the bench who hustles. WCJ is guaranteed to give us low effort low IQ sulky whiney garbage minutes.

You guys repeating the same ridiculous thing doesn’t make it any closer to real (I never thought I’d be defending WCJ).

There’s a reason Mose doesn’t look to Goga unless WCJ’s hurt (which is too often) and, even then, doesn’t look to Moe…and those guys are pretty solid rotation players. WCJ plays if he can walk because he’s miles ahead of the others defensively. Goga blocks a couple and the peanut gallery warms up- its not close to being close…and I consider starting C our biggest weakness

[tiderulz]

Some people don't watch the games or just look at certain stats. WCJ is most definitely the best center on this team. Slim, Goga nor Moe can do what he can do just like each player has unique strengths. He is good value for his contract and has chemistry with the starters.

good value for his old contract, not good value on his new deal.

[anothermagicfan]

Some people don't watch the games or just look at certain stats. WCJ is most definitely the best center on this team. Slim, Goga nor Moe can do what he can do just like each player has unique strengths. He is good value for his contract and has chemistry with the starters.

I cannot comprehend how anyone can watch WCJ and still think hes a worthwhile C in this league. Guy is a born loser, has always been so, doesnt try, has bad body language, doesnt stretch the floor (cmon, those days are long gone), and doesnt do the small stuff like box out. What is his main strength as a player again? I honestly couldnt tell you.

At least with Goga, we know what he does for us, which is play great D and rebound. Same with Moe, at least hes a scoring big off the bench who hustles. WCJ is guaranteed to give us low effort low IQ sulky whiney garbage minutes.

A bit harsh but I don't disagree

[anothermagicfan]

Some people don't watch the games or just look at certain stats. WCJ is most definitely the best center on this team. Slim, Goga nor Moe can do what he can do just like each player has unique strengths. He is good value for his contract and has chemistry with the starters.

I cannot comprehend how anyone can watch WCJ and still think hes a worthwhile C in this league. Guy is a born loser, has always been so, doesnt try, has bad body language, doesnt stretch the floor (cmon, those days are long gone), and doesnt do the small stuff like box out. What is his main strength as a player again? I honestly couldnt tell you.

At least with Goga, we know what he does for us, which is play great D and rebound. Same with Moe, at least hes a scoring big off the bench who hustles. WCJ is guaranteed to give us low effort low IQ sulky whiney garbage minutes.

You guys repeating the same ridiculous thing doesn’t make it any closer to real (I never thought I’d be defending WCJ).

There’s a reason Mose doesn’t look to Goga unless WCJ’s hurt (which is too often) and, even then, doesn’t look to Moe…and those guys are pretty solid rotation players. WCJ plays if he can walk because he’s miles ahead of the others defensively. Goga blocks a couple and the peanut gallery warms up- its not close to being close…and I consider starting C our biggest weakness

Well when WCJ has already signed an extension he's kinda gotta be on the floor more than his backups otherwise he becomes an impossible to trade player.

I'll repeat it once again -when WCJ is out for a period of time we still manage to win games at the same rate or better than when WCJ does play. We do not miss him when he's out.

[anothermagicfan]

Some people don't watch the games or just look at certain stats. WCJ is most definitely the best center on this team. Slim, Goga nor Moe can do what he can do just like each player has unique strengths. He is good value for his contract and has chemistry with the starters.

good value for his old contract, not good value on his new deal.

At best ok value on the old contact. Not good value on his new deal

[VFX]

Wendell Carter is a backup that happens to play for a coach that thinks he’s way better than he really is. He was on a good deal that could have been moved for a decent return. He isn’t anymore.

Unfortunately, starting Center is an important position on this roster due in part to the deficiencies Paolo brings to the table. The “stretch the floor” argument deteriorated last season. He isn’t consistent enough for that to be true.

Wendell’s best ability at this point is the fact that he isn’t terrible defending off switches. That’s it. That’s where the list ends. If Goga could do it Carter would be gone, but he can’t. Goga is only really good at protecting the rim and going against bigger Centers, which Carter can’t do effectively. I’d rather have Mitchell Robinson or Jalen Duren to be honest.

[yoyojw17]

Some people don't watch the games or just look at certain stats. WCJ is most definitely the best center on this team. Slim, Goga nor Moe can do what he can do just like each player has unique strengths. He is good value for his contract and has chemistry with the starters.

People downplay his value mainly because they don't want to see it. Then there is an echo chamber of frustration. He's not excellent at most things.... but he's good at it all. lol... kind of like the mean of all of our center.

Pre-Paolo WCJ was a presence inside for us.

Average 15 pnt, 10.5 reb, 2.8 asst, 1.3 stock on 52.5% shooting 32.7% from 3 in 29.9 min

First season WITH Paolo
Average 15.2 pnt, 8.7 reb, 2.3 asst, 1.1 stock on 52.5% shooting 35.6% from 3 in 29.6 min

Second Season with Paolo he did take a step back with injuries and a reduction in time on the court
Average 11 pnt, 6.9 reb, 1.7 asst, 1.1 stock on 52.5% shooting and career high 37.4% from 3 in 25.6 min

And last season was defintely a downer for many on the team.

and this is while playing solid to great perimeter and interior defense.

The availability is of course the issue.... but there are really darn good reasons why he has been retained by the team.

[three3d]

WCJ is nothing more than a PF who happens to play Center for us. Oh and he’s really good friends and a fellow Duke basketball player to Paolo.

He’s over paid and doesn’t provide enough reliability physically and mentally to this team.

[jezzerinho]

I find the anti-WCJ clamour baffling. Yes, he gets injured. Yes, he's a PF/C tweener. Yes, he struggles against the Zubac's of the league.

But he's a starter on a top 3 offense. He get slammed for not rebounding yet he's in the 87th percentile for OFF and DEF REB, while Orlando is 2nd in the league in Opponent OFF REB%.

He can switch and can give us spacing, 2 abilities we need in a big way.

Our defensive style doesn't show the stat sheet. We hassle and harry players into poor decisions and inefficient shots. We're 9th in the league in Opponent eFG% and, iirc, even better on Opponent 3pt shooting. We don't achieve that without WCJ's combination of switchability and ability to disrupt on the interior.

Is he perfect? Absolutely not. But the list of suitable players for our system is not a long one. People need to be realistic and appreciate that where Wendell adds value overlaps our playing identity.

[cedric76]

Some people don't watch the games or just look at certain stats. WCJ is most definitely the best center on this team. Slim, Goga nor Moe can do what he can do just like each player has unique strengths. He is good value for his contract and has chemistry with the starters.

People downplay his value mainly because they don't want to see it. Then there is an echo chamber of frustration. He's not excellent at most things.... but he's good at it all. lol... kind of like the mean of all of our center.

Pre-Paolo WCJ was a presence inside for us.

Average 15 pnt, 10.5 reb, 2.8 asst, 1.3 stock on 52.5% shooting 32.7% from 3 in 29.9 min

First season WITH Paolo
Average 15.2 pnt, 8.7 reb, 2.3 asst, 1.1 stock on 52.5% shooting 35.6% from 3 in 29.6 min

Second Season with Paolo he did take a step back with injuries and a reduction in time on the court
Average 11 pnt, 6.9 reb, 1.7 asst, 1.1 stock on 52.5% shooting and career high 37.4% from 3 in 25.6 min

And last season was defintely a downer for many on the team.

and this is while playing solid to great perimeter and interior defense.

The availability is of course the issue.... but there are really darn good reasons why he has been retained by the team.

You just need to see how players and coaches talk about WCJ, they know better than haters

Bane mentioned WCJ in one of his first interview

[three3d]

I find the anti-WCJ clamour baffling. Yes, he gets injured. Yes, he's a PF/C tweener. Yes, he struggles against the Zubac's of the league.

But he's a starter on a top 3 offense. He get slammed for not rebounding yet he's in the 87th percentile for OFF and DEF REB, while Orlando is 2nd in the league in Opponent OFF REB%.

He can switch and can give us spacing, 2 abilities we need in a big way.

Our defensive style doesn't show the stat sheet. We hassle and harry players into poor decisions and inefficient shots. We're 9th in the league in Opponent eFG% and, iirc, even better on Opponent 3pt shooting. We don't achieve that without WCJ's combination of switchability and ability to disrupt on the interior.

Is he perfect? Absolutely not. But the list of suitable players for our system is not a long one. People need to be realistic and appreciate that where Wendell adds value overlaps our playing identity.

Top 3 offense? WCJ is a starter on one of the worst offenses in the league.

[SOUL]

Probably meant defense.

His defense is underrated though. Not really a rim protector but versatile as far as bigs go.

His injuries are frustrating and he often makes silly, dumb plays. I think it's just who he is and that isn't someone I can really trust in a big game which is why I'd move off of him at what he's going to cost in the next year or two, but he's also not this like throwaway big that shouldn't play any minutes as all as his detractors think.

[pepe1991]

It's more how risky whole thing is.
He is injury prone, his backup is even more injury prone. This is why i'm not big on "trade Goga" wagon.

Doesn't help their case ( Isaac, Carter) that both were healthy and in same time had worst seasons of their career.

[three3d]

Probably meant defense.

His defense is underrated though. Not really a rim protector but versatile as far as bigs go.

His injuries are frustrating and he often makes silly, dumb plays. I think it's just who he is and that isn't someone I can really trust in a big game which is why I'd move off of him at what he's going to cost in the next year or two, but he's also not this like throwaway big that shouldn't play any minutes as all as his detractors think.

Let’s pretend for a moment that’s Suggs hasn’t been injury prone, he’s by far our elite defender. Franz also is pretty good defensively, and now throw in Bane and of course AB. We’ve got these guys that can get after the opponent on the wing and force late shots or contested layups. Personally I think it makes more sense to have a rim protecting big that can also rebound since you have such hell raisers on the