The 2021 NBA Draft saw the Orlando Magic select Franz Wagner with the 8th overall pick, and it’s safe to say the team is pleased with their selection thus far. In his first 116 games as a professional, Wagner has posted impressive averages of 16.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
But is he really as good as these numbers suggest?.
Statistics
Franz Wagner has been a standout player since the 2021 NBA Draft, where he was selected 8th overall by the Orlando Magic. In his first 116 games, he has posted averages of 16.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists. This impressive stat line is a testament to the Magic’s decision to select him, as he has already proven to be a capable contributor.
When comparing Wagner’s stats to other players in his draft class, he stands out as one of the best players. In the 2021 NBA Draft, Cade Cunningham was the first overall selection and has posted averages of 15.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists over his first 116 games. While Cunningham’s numbers are slightly better than Wagner’s, Wagner has been more efficient from the field, shooting 46.7% compared to Cunningham’s 43.1%. Therefore, it can be said that the Magic made a wise choice in drafting Wagner.
Wagner has also been able to outshine his peers in other categories. For example, he ranks first in the draft class in Player Efficiency Rating, with a mark of 16.8. This is significantly higher than the next highest in his class, Evan Mobley, who has a PER of 13.1. Additionally, Wagner ranks second in the class in True Shooting Percentage at 56.6%, behind Mobley’s 57.6%. This shows that Wagner is both productive and efficient when on the court, making him an invaluable asset to the Magic.
Overall, it is clear that the Magic made the right choice when they selected Wagner 8th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft. His impressive averages over his first 116 games speak to his ability to contribute to a team both offensively and defensively. With his efficiency, production and ability to outshine his peers, Wagner is on track to be a valuable asset to the Magic for years to come.
Skills
The Orlando Magic selected forward Franz Wagner with the eighth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, and over his first 116 career games he has shown impressive skills on both ends of the court. His ability to score, pass, handle the ball, and play defense make him a valuable asset to the Magic and a potential star in the league.
Shooting
One of Wagner’s best skills is his shooting ability, as he has demonstrated a consistent ability to knock down shots from all over the court. He is a great catch-and-shoot player, as he is able to find open spaces on the floor and quickly get his shot off. He is also a reliable shooter off the dribble, as he can create space for himself to get off a quality shot. Wagner’s shooting ability is one of the main reasons why he was drafted so high, and it will be an important part of his game going forward.
Ball-Handling
Wagner is also an excellent ball-handler, as he is able to quickly and effectively make his way around defenders. He has great court vision and can find open teammates in transition and half-court sets. He is also able to create space for himself to get off a shot, as he is able to use a variety of moves to get around defenders and get off a quality shot. His ball-handling skills will be an essential part of his game going forward.
Passing
Wagner is also an excellent passer, as he is able to quickly read the floor and find open teammates. He is able to make smart passes in transition and half-court sets and is an excellent passer in the pick-and-roll. His passing ability will be an important part of his game going forward, as it will allow him to create easy scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Defense
Lastly, Wagner is an excellent defender, as he is able to contest shots, stay in front of his opponent, and use his length to disrupt passing lanes. His defensive ability is another reason why he was drafted so high, as his ability to guard multiple positions makes him a valuable asset on the defensive end. His defensive ability will be an important part of his game going forward, as it will allow him to be a valuable defensive asset for the Magic.
Overall, Wagner has shown an impressive set of skills over his first 116 career games, and it is clear that he has the potential to be a star in the league. His ability to shoot, handle the ball, pass, and defend make him a valuable asset to the Magic and a potential star in the league.
Team Fit
Franz Wagner is a perfect fit for the Orlando Magic. His versatility on both ends of the floor makes him an ideal fit for Orlando’s system. Wagner’s ability to guard multiple positions and his shooting ability should be a great asset for the Magic. He is the definition of a modern NBA wing, as he can handle the ball, drive to the basket, spot up for open jumpers, and play off the ball.
The Magic have been looking to find the right wing player to complement their young core of Markelle Fultz, Jonathan Isaac, and Mo Bamba. Wagner’s skill set perfectly complements that core, as he can be a secondary ball handler and scorer. He also brings a level of toughness that the Magic have been missing in recent years.
His Role on the Team
Wagner’s role on the team will most likely be to provide scoring and secondary ball handling. He will likely be the team’s third option offensively, behind Fultz and Isaac. He will also be asked to guard some of the opponents’ best perimeter players, as he can switch onto multiple positions. He also has the ability to be a playmaker off the dribble and will likely be asked to make plays for others.
Overall, Wagner is a great fit for the Magic and should be able to help them take the next step. He brings a level of toughness and versatility that they have been missing in recent years. His ability to score, shoot, and defend multiple positions should be a great asset for the Magic and should help them compete for a playoff spot in the near future.
Potential
Franz Wagner is one of the most promising prospects to come out of the 2021 NBA Draft. The German-born forward has shown off a well-rounded game, combining his athleticism with a high basketball IQ and the ability to shoot from anywhere on the court. He has shown flashes of star potential in his first 116 games, averaging 16.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. His NBA career is still in its infancy, and his long-term potential is sky-high.
Wagner projects to develop into an all-around star. His shooting ability has already been on display, as he has shot 44% from beyond the arc over his first two seasons. He is also a capable ball-handler and playmaker, able to create for himself and his teammates. His length and athleticism allow him to play both ends of the court, as he can guard multiple positions and finish above the rim with ease.
Wagner’s long-term potential is further bolstered by his age and maturity. At 21 years old, he is still relatively young and has plenty of time to develop into a top-tier NBA player. His maturity and professionalism make him even more valuable, as he has already proven himself to be a team-first player who puts in the work necessary to improve his game.
How He Can Improve His Game
Despite his impressive rookie and sophomore seasons, Wagner still has a lot of room for improvement in order to reach his full potential. One of the most obvious areas for improvement is his strength and physicality. Wagner is listed at 6’9″ and 210 lbs, which is on the lighter side for a forward. He needs to add strength in order to better hold his ground against bigger defenders and finish at the rim.
Wagner also needs to continue to refine his ball-handling and playmaking skills. While he is already a capable passer and can create shots for himself and his teammates, he needs to become even more efficient with the ball in order to maximize his potential as a playmaker. He has already shown flashes of brilliance in this area, but he must become even more consistent in order to reach his full potential.
Finally, Wagner needs to expand his offensive game. He has already proven himself to be a capable shooter and playmaker, but he needs to expand his arsenal in order to become an even more well-rounded offensive player. He must work on his post game and mid-range game in order to become a more efficient scorer and add another dimension to his offensive game.
Overall, Wagner is one of the most promising young players in the NBA, and his long-term potential is sky-high. With the proper development and continued hard work, he can become one of the best players in the league. He needs to add strength and refine his skills in order to maximize his potential, while also expanding his offensive game in order to become a more complete player.
To Recap
It’s still too early to definitively declare whether or not Franz Wagner is a good pick for the Orlando Magic, but the numbers suggest that he has lived up to the hype thus far. With his impressive averages of 16.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists, Wagner appears to have been a wise selection for the Magic.
Only time will tell if he can continue to develop and reach his full potential, but for now, it seems like the Magic got a very good player in Wagner.
