Who is the Orlando Magic’s best individual perimeter defender?

Who is the Orlando Magic’s best perimeter defender?

The Case for Franz Wagner

The Orlando Magic did their homework really well in finding two rookies who were plus defenders. That is just extremely rare. Defense usually takes the longest for young players to understand. Especially when they are in rebuilding situations.

Opponents also like to target rookies and with all the big forwards in the league, teams were targeting Franz Wagner a ton.

But Wagner stood tall, just as he stood tall with everything the Magic threw at him. As excited as Magic fans are about his offensive ability, they should be just as excited for Wagner on the defensive end. There was just not a lot Wagner could not do.

In pick and rolls against the ball handler, opponents scored just 0.77 points per possession on 212 possessions. That trailed only Jalen Suggs on the team among regular rotation players. In isolation, Wagner gave up 0.90 points per possession on 1.0 possession per game.

Overall, opponents shot 43.2-percent against him, 2.7 percentage points better than expected.

Wagner was a positive defender. The offensive versatility that he showed came through on defense too.

He moves his feet well and is able to use his body well to get in front of players. Wagner is rarely off balance and can use his length to stay in front.

He is just solid. But if anything, he needs to be more aggressive or be more willing to be aggressive. Just like with his offense.

Basketball Index ranks his on-ball perimeter defense in the 68th percentile. That is a positive defender, but hardly anything to write home about. Like everything else, Wagner still has some work to do to add some strength and solidify what was a great start for his career on the defensive end.

But like everyone else, he is solid in help and works well in the scheme and in help. That is what makes him a solid defender at this early stage.