Magic's Jevon Carter Praises Team Chemistry, Work Ethic

After a day off to rest and reset, the Orlando Magic were back at it for day five of training camp at the AdventHealth Training Center on Sunday. 

After the practice concluded, guard Jevon Carter spoke with the media about what the team emphasized as it gears up for its first preseason game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct. 7.

Carter underlined the consistency within training camp, saying that the Magic just got back and picked up where they left off following a day off. Carter said there was a focus on defensive habits, running habits and attention to how physically they want to play as a team in the upcoming season.

Carter is a part of a guard room that features Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane and Anthony Black as the key contributors. From a defensive standpoint, Carter said that coach Sean Sweeney wants the guards to commit to their point-of-attack defense and always apply pressure to the opponent, especially on the ball.

Carter came to Orlando following last season's trade deadline as a buyout market acquisition. He appeared in 30 games for the Magic and made one start over the rest of the regular season. He averaged 7.2 points while shooting 40.2% from the field and 33.6% from 3-point range. 

Now, Carter has the benefit of a full training camp with the Magic, and he praised his teammates for the work they put in over the summer and their desire to compete. As Orlando's preseason game against the Grizzlies grows closer, Sweeney and his staff have been identifying the type of minutes that will be allocated across the roster and the kind of lineup combinations they will go with.

In Carter's view, the Magic are in a good spot with different combinations because of the chemistry they have built, but he emphasized that, no matter the groupings, an understanding of what needs to be done is what will help them play well.

Orlando is going to need the best version of Carter this season. When he came to Orlando, he had just appeared in 23 games with the Chicago Bulls and shot 41% from the 3-point line. In an increased role with the Magic, Carter's scoring average went up, but his 3-point percentage dropped.

At six feet tall and 200 pounds, Carter does not necessarily have the size to impact the game in a different way than as a shooter. He has also only averaged 1.6 assists across his eight-year career, so he cannot be relied on to facilitate at a high level.

Hopefully, with a full training camp and plenty of time to get acclimated, Carter can rediscover his efficiency as a perimeter shooter and remain a steadfast contributing veteran off the bench.