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2023 Orlando Magic Offseason Needs: Backup Center

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Nov 9, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) drives to the basket as Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell (7) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) drives to the basket as Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell (7) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Moe Wagner, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls
Moe Wagner helped lead the Orlando Magic back in the game. But it took a long time for the team find their energy. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports /

2023 Orlando Magic Offseason Needs: Backup Center

The Incumbents

Knowing this front office, their preference always seems to trend toward stability and continuity. Perhaps to some frustration.

And so consideration needs to be given to the incumbents on the roster in Moe Wagner and Goga Bitadze. They both are coming off fantastic seasons last year where they played their roles well and admirably for the team. They did exactly what was asked of them and excelled where they are strong.

Wagner is coming off a season where he averaged 10.5 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game. He was a supremely reliable offensive big, able to score on the low block and step out and hit from the outside. He also served at times as the Magic’s irritant, helping set a never-back-down attitude among the team.

Wagner’s biggest weakness is his rim protection, however. According to data from Second Spectrum, Wagner gave up 75.5 percent shooting at the rim, the worst mark among centers who played at least 50 games this season.

If the margin for error to make the postseason is going to be small for the Magic, it is hard to imagine the Magic relying on that in the playoffs, let alone surviving that for 15-20 games this season. Wagner’s contract is only partially guaranteed for next season, becoming fully guaranteed on June 30.

Bitadze seemingly offers the opposite problem.

He quickly established himself this past year as a solid defender and rim protector for Orlando — opponents shot 52.5 percent at the rim against him according to Second Spectrum. His offensive game is a little bit more basic, but he could score on a healthy diet of putbacks and his outside shot is still developing.

Of course, Bitadze was only around for 17 games. Is that enough of a sample to draw any conclusions or make that full investment? The Magic have a club option for him this summer.

That makes both him and Wagner cheap options to consider to fill the backup center role. They both were able to tag team it after the trade deadline fairly effectively with Jamahl Mosley seemingly picking one each game and going with it for however long it would last or based on what the team needed in that moment and that game.

But it still feels like the team could use an upgrade at this spot.