NBA analyst suggests Warriors use Kristaps Porziņģis to trade for Magic center

Kristaps Porzingis NBA analyst suggests Warriors use Kristaps Porziņģis to trade for Magic center With Kristaps Porziņģis unlikely to return to the Golden State Warriors, the team could look to trade for another big man next to Draymond Green. By Pratham Valluri • Published November 10, 2026 • Updated on November 10, 2026 at 3:54 pm Share The Warriors currently are on a historic win streak , but one NBA analyst believes they need to make a move to shore up their interior. On Monday's episode of "The Kevin O'Connor Show," Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor told guest Nekias Duncan why Golden State should trade for Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr . "The Warriors should trade Kristaps Porziņģis with as many picks as it takes for Trey Murphy or Wendell Carter Jr.," O'Connor said. "To me, I think Wendell Carter would make a lot of sense if the Magic continue sliding here, and we'll see if they do. With our All Access Daily newsletter, stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! SIGN UP HERE "The Magic are in the East; they've stunk so far. Maybe they'll turn things around at some point, but Carter, to me -- his size, 270 pounds, the rebounding that he provides, the connective passing and playmaking that I think is a bit underutilized in his career with the Magic. I've always been a fan of his passing vision out of the elbow areas. I think it would fit that Warriors offense. "He can shoot the ball. He's shooting the ball better than ever so far this year at over 40 percent, and we'll see if he sustains that. But ultimately, I think Carter is a really good player who's been stuck in some not-so-good situations so far in his career in Chicago and Orlando, and I think for Golden State that would be my top target." Carter Jr. is averaging 14.8 points and 9.6 rebounds per game on 63-percent shooting from the field and 47.8-percent shooting from the 3-point line, taking 2.6 attempts per game. At 6-foot-10 and 270 pounds, Carter Jr. would instantly become the Warriors' biggest player. Center Charles Bassey also is listed at 6-foot-10 but lacks Carter Jr.'s size, weighing just 230 pounds. Golden State Warriors Find the latest Golden State Warriors news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California. Warriors Analysis 3 hours ago Gritty, joyful identity Warriors creating has them built to last highs and lows Golden State Warriors 17 hours ago Draymond Green states potential Jordan Poole-Warriors reunion a ‘non-issue' Kerr has played Bassey next to veteran forward Draymond Green for just 10 minutes this season, despite Golden State's plus-16.7 net rating in that small sample size. Carter Jr.'s presence at the rim would allow Green to roam on defense as a "middle linebacker," and his ability to stretch the floor could further improve the spacing of the NBA's top shooting team. With star Jimmy Butler looking to return around the NBA All-Star break, O'Connor believes that the Warriors' top priority should be bringing in a big man. "It should be center over any other position -- you want to have a big who can play next to Draymond," O'Connor said. "You want to be able to space or play in the interior, and Carter can provide you a little bit of both in ways that old man (Al) Horford can't. The way, obviously, Porziņģis can't even get on the floor, but the idea of it is a guy who can either space or play inside. So I'd be going after Wendell Carter if the Magic continue sliding." The Magic sit at 2-7, 12th in the Eastern Conference, and are without forward Paolo Banchero, the No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, because of an ankle injury. As Golden State works to move Porziņģis , Carter Jr. could be an avenue that the team pursues. Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast This article tagged under: Kristaps Porzingis Warriors Reaction NBA Rumors Share