2023 Orlando Magic Trade Value Column: A future to plan for

10 of 11

Franz Wagner has proven himself to be a skilled attacker for the Orlando Magic. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

2023 Orlando Magic Trade Value Column

2. Franz Wagner (3-Year, $17.8 million, Team Option for 2025)

Last Year: 1st

Franz Wagner took the Orlando Magic by storm last year. Nobody saw the rookie forward from Michigan becoming a future franchise player.

The wrap on him coming out of college was that he was a glue guy who could make others around him better and fit into the system. Everyone saw him as a player who would be a supporting player as a shooter. He was never this in Michigan. Not even close to this.

And he was not even close to what he has become his sophomore year as he has flirted with averaging 20 points per game and has genuinely looked like a future All-Star.

If anything, the Magic need to convince him to take more control and take the reigns more.

The injuries to the point guards hurt this team in the win column without a doubt. The Magic just could not get themselves organized.

But it had some benefit because it forced the Magic to put the ball in Wagner’s hands more and make him into the 6-foot-10 playmaker everyone thinks he can be. The Magic are trying to recreate some of that and use him more as the ball-handler, able to get downhill, make the right reads and finish with flair around the basket.

Wagner has taken the league by surprise and would have been the most likely All-Star for the Magic this year if the team had a better record.

What has been so amazing about Wagner’s season so far is the consistency he brings regardless of the circumstances around him.

Orlando feels like it has a future franchise pillar in Wagner and he should continue to get better as his career develops.