Franz’s Early Season Success

 

Orlando, FL— Fourth-year forward Franz Wagner earned with a five-year, $224 million rookie max contract this offseason. While there was some hesitation among the masses about that extension, he has officially silenced his doubters.

Franz Wagner’s Success Last Season

Despite Wagner having his best season to date in 2023-24, with Franz averaging a career-high 19.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, there was concern about his three-point shot regressing as he only connected on 28.1% of his attempts from behind the arch.

After helping lead the Magic to a 47-35 record last year, the Orlando Magic made the playoffs for the first time in the Jamahl Mosley era. This young inexperienced group faced a lot of ups and downs as they got their first taste of postseason basketball. Franz in his first postseason appeared in seven games and averaged 18.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, while shooting 40.8% from the floor and 26.5% from deep.

Magic Fall to the Cavs in the Playoffs

When the Magic and Cavaliers faced off for an elimination game seven in the first round, Orlando held an 18-point lead on the road in Cleveland before having an all-time collapse that led them to be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

Although Franz had some great performances in his first postseason appearance, he ultimately struggled mightily in that game seven loss to the Cavaliers scoring just six points while shooting 1 of 15 (6.7%) from the floor. Jamahl Mosley and Paolo Banchero would come to the defense of Franz after their final game of the season.

“We’re not here without Franz,” Banchero said. “I’ve been in that position as well where you feel like you could have done a lot more in a losing effort, but this doesn’t define him. It doesn’t define us.”

“This man battled,” Mosley said of Wagner. “Franz Wagner was doing everything possible to get what he needed…This young man is as competitive as anyone I’ve been around. He wants it more and he’s a tough kid and he’s going to bounce back and there’s a reason he will be an All-Star coming up too.”

That game seven loss would leave a sour taste in the mouth of many fans and analysts who saw Franz struggle in the biggest game of the season. Wagner and this team would use this as fuel to motivate them even harder this offseason and to ensure that they’re ready for the long rigorous NBA season.

Franz Steps Up in the Absence of Banchero

Orlando’s All-Star Paolo Banchero got off to a phenomenal start to begin the 2024-25 season, including a near 50-point triple-double over the Indiana Pacers before being diagnosed with a torn right oblique that would sideline him for 4-6 weeks. In the absence of Banchero, Franz Wagner has had to take another step forward and he’s done just that and then some.

In 14 games this season Franz Wagner is averaging a career-high 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists, while shooting 46.8% from the field and 34.8% from downtown.

“I think I had a little bit of an adjustment period,” Franz said of his play without Paolo. “I think it’s a little bit of a mentality shift for me as well…It’s a good challenge for me and I say this all the time, it’s super cool to get those opportunities and I just want to make the most of them.”

In the nine games Banchero has missed Wagner has taken his game to another level averaging 24.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and is shooting 45.1% from the floor. Wagner has helped lead the Magic to an 8-6 record, the number three seed in the East, and they’re currently on a five-game win streak.

“I’m not even surprised anymore,” Moe Wagner jokingly said of Franz recently. “That’s the more impressive part, I kinda assume he’s gonna do that. I don’t really care how many 30 balls he drops because it’s so normal now.”

Franz Wagner has now put together eight consecutive 20+ point games tying the longest such streak of his NBA career. Jalen Suggs who came into the league at the same time as Franz spoke glowingly of him in a recent post-game presser after the win over the Charlotte Hornets.

“It’s hard because I feel like every day he one-ups it. He’s hooping, I told him keep carving em up—He’s playing amazing right now, I’m proud of him, and that’s my brother for real. We started this journey in here together, grown up together the last four years.”

Franz is Putting Together an All-Star Campaign

Franz has continued to silence his doubters and turn heads across the NBA with his play as of late. Wagner and the Magic are currently on a three-game road trip out West that begins tonight at Phoenix and the following two against both Los Angeles teams. Franz has an opportunity to continue his high level of play, and to keep this Magic team ascending.

Wagner through 14 games has not only led this Magic team to a top-three seed in the Eastern Conference, but he is continuing to put together an All-Star campaign and we very well may see him making his first All-Star appearance in San Francisco in February.