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Wendell Carter Jr. has solidified his position as a key center for the Orlando Magic, excelling in both defense and scoring. His ability to score around the rim and shoot from beyond the arc perfectly aligns with the team's playing style. Recognizing his value, the Magic have secured him long-term.

Carter and the Magic agreed to a three-year, $59 million contract extension, a

story broken by Shams Charania of ESPN

We have signed center @wendellcarter34 to a contract extension. pic.twitter.com/QhUkhExM6h

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) October 8, 2024

Carter has two years, $22.8 million remaining on his current four-year contract, now this $59 gets tacked on, meaning he is under contract for the next five years. Because of the six-month rule, Carter cannot be traded at the deadline this year, not that the Magic were planning to do that anyway.

Orlando has now locked up their frontcourt with Franz Wager and Jonathan Isaac agreeing to contract extensions over the summer. Paolo Banchero is the only part of that frontcourt core who has yet to sign an extension, but his max deal is unquestionably coming.

The Magic are hoping that Carter can stay healthy. He played in 55 games a season ago and has never appeared in more than 62 games. After last season, Carter underwent surgery on his left hand, something the team called preventative as a steel plate was put in to support a previous fracture.

Carter averaged 11 points and 6.9 rebounds playing 25.6 minutes a night during last regular season. His minutes went up slightly in the playoffs (his first playoff appearance), and he averaged 7.6 points and 6.3 rebounds a game.

Orlando is betting he gets to play in a lot more playoff games in the coming seasons.