Orlando Magic DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

According to Evan Sidery of Forbes, the Nuggets may be unable to re-sign guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. While Denver would like to keep him on the roster, some project a deal that could exceed $20 million per year, something the Nuggets may not entertain due to tax purposes. The 31-year-old suited up for the Pistons, Lakers, and Wizards before landing in Denver, where he's played arguably the best basketball of his career. With that in mind, Caldwell-Pope hasn't been a consistently reliable fantasy option, although his durability gives him value in any format.

Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (hand) will undergo surgery. The 25-year-old fractured his left hand in November, limiting him to 55 games last season. But now he'll need another procedure on the same hand to "stabilize the third metacarpal." Carter, who will be re-evaluated in roughly four weeks following the procedure, is expected to make a full recovery. The 2018 No. 7 overall pick had one of the best seasons of his career in 2022-23, averaging 15.2 points and 8.7 assists. However, he took a step backward in both categories last season. Assuming he stays healthy, Carter has a chance to bounce back this season, although many fantasy managers will look past him due to his health and statistical regression.

Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (abdomen) is questionable for Friday's matchup with Minnesota. The Nuggets are down two games in this series, so the abdominal contusion likely won't be enough to keep him out of the lineup. While KCP has logged heavy minutes during the playoffs, he averaged just 8.4 points in the previous series versus the Lakers. Caldwell-Pope has played worse against the Timberwolves, so he's not a recommended DFS option for Game 3 and beyond, although he can get hot whenever he's on the floor.

Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac couldn't provide a spark off the bench as the team's season ended with a Game 7 loss to Cleveland on Sunday. Isaac was back in the second unit following Gary Harris' return to action. He contributed only two points in 18 minutes and had two rebounds with one assist. It was an awful finish to the series from Isaac, who was held scoreless in Game 6. However, he showed his full potential through the first five games of the matchup. The 26-year-old averaged 8.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 1.0 steals in 21.4 minutes. Isaac is an outstanding defensive presence when he's healthy. In 2023-24, he once again had some injury problems but managed to play in 58 regular-season games, his most since 2018-19.

Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. made a mark under both baskets in Sunday's Game 7 against Cleveland. He provided 13 points with 5-for-10 shooting and snagged three steals as the Magic's season ended with a 106-94 loss. The big man from Duke, who shot 2-for-4 from outside, also recorded seven rebounds and one assist in 35 minutes. After struggling initially, Carter Jr. had a strong finish to the series. In a sense, it summed up his entire campaign, as the Magic center was fairly inconsistent in 2023-24. Carter Jr. averaged 11.0 points and 6.9 rebounds in seventh year in the NBA. He was a double-double machine only a couple of seasons ago, so the 25-year-old should have plenty of potential to do better in 2024-25.