When he returned from injury, he found the starting five… but not his usual position. Sidelined for around ten games in November due to an ankle injury, Wendell Carter Jr. was moved to the pivot position alongside Goga Bitadze.
The latter had been established in his place at position 5. As he gave guarantees to his coach Jamahl Mosley, the latter preferred to keep the two interiors in his five. Thus pushing the usual pivot to the power forward position.
At the start of the season, Wendell Carter Jr. was lined up in the paint with Paolo Banchero. But the injury to the team's star, then that of Franz Wagner, made it necessary to rethink the plans on the Magic side, particularly in attack. Goga Bitadze is responsible for cutting to the circle after the screens, when Wendell Carter Jr. can for his part, on paper, sanction 3-points (37% behind the last arc).
“ It's complicated. I'm more used to throwing myself under the circle, being more often near the circle, in pick-and-rolls. But being at position 4 is a little different for me. Sometimes it's difficult because you feel like you're doing nothing. But those who watch basketball understand that the more spaced you are, the more space you give to your teammates. “, he analyzes.
His lowest career averages
The former Bulls player had already had a similar experience in Orlando, during the 2021/22 season alongside Mo Bamba inside. For Jamahl Mosley, who relies on Moritz Wagner as a replacement pivot, this change of register suits him well.
“ It's different for him, but he does a good job making the right reads, finding the right matchups. He has such a high basketball IQ that he reads and reacts based on Goga's presence at post 5 in those moments. He understands very well what is expected of him. As he becomes more comfortable in this position, things will go much better », projects the technician.
However, while Gage Bitadze lines up double-doubles, Wendell Carter Jr.'s production struggles to take off: around 6 points and 7 rebounds on average over this sequence. Stats comparable to those displayed over the year, his lowest career averages.
“ I am clearly starting to regain my splendor. The first matches were difficult. I felt like I was hovering a bit and trying to find my way. I'm starting to regain my confidence and my sense of the game, feeling much better mentally, being more involved and understanding the game a little better. I'm starting to find the 'me' of yesteryear », he says positively despite everything.
| Wendell Carter, Jr. | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | CHI | 44 | 25 | 48.5 | 18.8 | 79.5 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 1.8 | 3.5 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 10.3 |
| 2019-20 | CHI | 43 | 29 | 53.4 | 20.7 | 73.7 | 3.2 | 6.2 | 9.4 | 1.2 | 3.8 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 11.3 |
| 2020-21 * | All Teams | 54 | 26 | 50.3 | 29.4 | 73.2 | 2.4 | 5.8 | 8.2 | 1.9 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 11.2 |
| 2020-21 * | CHI | 32 | 25 | 51.2 | 36.4 | 73.9 | 2.2 | 5.6 | 7.8 | 2.2 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 10.9 |
| 2020-21 * | ENT | 22 | 27 | 49.3 | 24.1 | 72.1 | 2.8 | 6.0 | 8.8 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 11.7 |
| 2021-22 | ENT | 62 | 30 | 52.5 | 32.7 | 69.1 | 2.2 | 8.2 | 10.5 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 15.0 |
| 2022-23 | ENT | 57 | 30 | 52.5 | 35.6 | 73.8 | 2.1 | 6.6 | 8.7 | 2.3 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 15.2 |
| 2023-24 | ENT | 55 | 26 | 52.5 | 37.4 | 69.4 | 2.0 | 4.9 | 6.9 | 1.7 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 11.0 |
| 2024-25 | ENT | 15 | 26 | 48.7 | 16.1 | 76.3 | 1.9 | 5.7 | 7.6 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 7.2 |
| Total | 330 | 28 | 51.7 | 32.7 | 72.9 | 2.3 | 6.2 | 8.5 | 2.0 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 12.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
