Franz Wagner

Twenty-one-year-old Franz Wagner is heading into his third NBA season after showing solid progression through his first two years in the league. The German forward averaged an impressive 18.6 points on efficient 48.5 percent shooting. He started in all 80 appearances and put up several big performances throughout the season, including a 31-point output on 13-of-22 shooting early on against the Kings. He also poured in a season-high 34 points on lights-out 12-of-15 shooting in December against Toronto. Wagner topped 30 points three times and accumulated two double-doubles with a season-high 10 rebounds both times. Wagner has a great opportunity to continue his growth alongside an up-and-coming young core, including two first-overall picks, Markelle Fultz and Paolo Banchero. Wagner has a critical and well-carved-out role as a three-point shooter and slasher, and he is surrounded by good distributors to help him find his shot. He averaged 14.0 field-goal attempts per game last season and should be entitled to the same, if not a couple more, as an established offensive leader for the Magic. Another area Wagner can continue to grow his game is at the foul line, as he averaged 4.0 attempts per game last season, and his progressing maturity should result in some added strength and cunning heading into year three.

The eighth overall pick in 2021, Wagner had a successful season with the Magic that earned him All-Rookie First Team honors. He started all 79 appearances and averaged 15.2 points on 47/35/86 shooting, 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 30.7 minutes. He posted some big efforts along the way, most notably his performance against the Bucks on Dec. 28, when the forward posted a career-high 38 points (12-20 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 10-10 FT), seven rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. He posted other highs of 11 rebounds, 10 assists, six steals, five three-point makes and two blocks - demonstrating a well-rounded skillset. He was also effective off the ball as a cutter and corner three-point shooter, hitting 44 percent of his 66 three-point attempts from that area. Wagner should start at forward again this season, though there will be more competition for touches. Markelle Fultz will be back in the fold, and the Magic selected Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 pick in the 2022 Draft. Banchero is also a forward, and he, like Wagner, is a capable playmaker with the ball in his hands. But the assumption should be that the organization will prioritize Banchero's development and touches over Wagner's. Wagner will still play a significant role in the offense, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect a huge leap out of him in his second year despite the promising rookie campaign. Last year, Wagner ranked 103rd in per-game fantasy production and he should be drafted earlier than that this season, but there are plenty of players with higher upside.

One of the more unique players in the class, Wagner's length and intangibles are the primary traits that made him a top-10 pick. Wagner averaged a well-rounded 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 block as a sophomore at Michigan last season. He's far from a traditional playmaker, but Wagner's passing is well-above-average for his age and size. He also profiles as a potentially elite defender capable of shadowing opposing big men and sticking with guards at the rim. Wagner will have more competition for playing time than fellow-rookie Jalen Suggs - including from his older brother, Moritz - but if the minutes are there, he could be one of the most well-rounded rookies in the class. Still, Wagner is probably a year away from warranting draft consideration in standard formats.