Jevon Carter is returning to Orlando.
The veteran free agent guard has agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal to stay with the Magic, ESPN first reported Wednesday morning.
Carter originally joined the Magic in early-Feb. shortly after the franchise traded away veteran guard Tyus Jones, who signed with the team last summer and was later sent to Charlotte (before ending up in Denver).
In 30 regular season games, Carter averaged 7.2 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per night while carving out his role on the Magic bench. He played limited minutes (17) across three games during Orlando’s first-round playoff series against Detroit.
The reported agreement with Carter follows Orlando’s reunion with Nikola Vucevic and the departure of Moe Wagner. Last week, the Magic drafted forward Izaiyah Nelson in the second round and waived veteran forward Jonathan Isaac, the latter of whom could still return to the franchise.
Because Carter and Vucevic both signed one-year, veteran minimum deals with Orlando, their deals both take on a $2.4 million cap hit for the franchise. The agreements leave the Magic roughly $6.2 million under the second apron with two standard-contract roster spots open because it’s still unclear which type of contract Nelson will sign (either a standard deal or a two-way contract).
Orlando still has access to the $6.1 million taxpayer mid-level exception, but using it would hard-cap the team at the second apron, meaning the Magic wouldn’t be allowed to cross the $221,686,000 salary threshold for any reason this upcoming season.
Previously with Chicago, Carter just wrapped up his eighth season in the league and has built up a reputation as a tough defender around the perimeter, while still shooting accurately from distance on offense.
Before he joined the Magic, Carter averaged 5.4 points and 1.1 rebounds during 11.1 minutes per contest, while shooting 41% from beyond the arc in 23 games this season with the Bulls this past season.
His impact goes beyond the court as well, offering a no-nonsense, veteran presence in the locker room. It became commonplace to see Carter offering advice to his younger Magic teammates after games.
Carter also made his presence felt in the community. He helped the Magic unveil a newly refurbished outdoor basketball court at Oak Ridge High School in late March, while he and his wife, Taylor, conducted a diaper drive during the postseason to support local families.
Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com