The Orlando Magic have one of the most exciting young rosters in the league. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are emerging into legitimate stars. They also have a great supporting cast in Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Anthony Black, Jonathan Isaac, and Goga Bitadze. However, there is another player that the fanbase is excited about and optimistic about taking another leap.

Wendell Carter Jr., the Magic's starting center, could be the difference-maker for the team this upcoming season.

He was the seventh pick in the 2018 draft, selected by the Chicago Bulls. It's been easily forgettable, but Carter Jr. played two-and-a-half seasons in the "Windy City." He showed flashes of his potential as a two-way big man before landing in Orlando as part of the Nikola Vucevic blockbuster trade.

Upon his arrival, Carter Jr. continues to be promising, but injuries have derailed his trajectory. He's appeared in 242 out of 328 games in the last four seasons. It's not a massive gap, but in two of those seasons, the former lottery pick appeared in fewer than 60 games.

The Magic continue to show belief in Carter Jr.; they are banking on his health and potential for the upcoming season.

Last season, the seven-year veteran appeared in 68 games, the most so far in his career, but showed some regression in multiple statistical categories. He averaged 9.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, two assists, and shot 46 percent from the field, 23.4 percent from three-point range.

However, Carter Jr. took his game to another level in the Magic's first-round matchup against the Boston Celtics. After five games, he finished averaging 10.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, and shot 52.5 percent from the field.

Carter Jr. is not a center that the Magic will run their offense through, but he will have opportunities as a lob threat, pick-and-rolls, and transition when attacking the rim. It will be important for him to establish a pain presence, especially as a rebounder.

In a recent episode of the "Kevin O'Connor Show," Bane, one of the newest members of the Magic, labeled Carter Jr. as the "X-Factor."

"If you look at the modern-day fives, 'Dell can switch one through five," he said. "He's making great decisions in the pocket on his rolls, finishing strong around the rim, and shooting threes. Just be about staying healthy and confident, but I think he's a guy that can open everything up for us."

Carter Jr. has shown flashes of being a stretch big. Outside of last season, he has shot over 30 percent from behind the arc since he arrived in Orlando.

Carter Jr. will have some competition heading into training camp, as Goga Bitadze showed tremendous improvements in his game during the EuroBasket tournament this summer.

It will be a great challenge for him to prove that he's capable of elevating his own game and helping the Magic compete for a championship.