FRANZ WAGNER NEWS

Fox hits from near midcourt at OT buzzer, Kings top Magic

De’Aaron Fox beat the buzzer from just inside halfcourt to give the Sacramento Kings a 126-123 overtime victory over the Orlando Magic after the Kings wiped out a 20-point deficit...

NOVEMBER 6, 2022 • Associated Press

Suggs, Magic hand Warriors fourth straight loss, 130-129

Jalen Suggs scored nine of his 26 points in the final two minutes, and the Orlando Magic rallied from a 16-point deficit in the second half to beat the Golden State Warriors 130-12...

NOVEMBER 4, 2022 • Associated Press

Returns to form in loss Tuesday Wagner registered 20 points (8-18 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 3-3 FT), one rebound, seven assists, two blocks and one steal in 37 minutes during Tuesday's 116-108 loss to Oklahoma City.

Impact Wagner got things moving in the right direction in the loss, scoring at least 20 points for just the third time this season while also adding a season-high seven assists. This is the kind of production managers had been hoping for with Wagner coming off an impressive rookie campaign. He now has at least four assists in five consecutive games, an element of his game that could prove pivotal when it comes to his evaluating his production moving forward.

NOVEMBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gilgeous-Alexander's 34 help Thunder push win streak to 4

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points, and the Oklahoma City Thunder rallied from 15 points down in the second half to defeat the Orlando Magic 116-108 for their fourth straight...

NOVEMBER 2, 2022 • Associated Press

Third-year option exercised The Magic exercised Wagner's $5.51 million team option for the 2023-24 season Friday.

Impact Wagner has had a significant role for the Magic early in his professional career, so it's not surprising to see the team pick up his third-year option. Over his first five appearances during the 2022-23 season, he's averaged 16.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 35.0 minutes per game.

OCTOBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Banchero leads Magic to 113-93 win over Hornets

Pablo Banchero had 21 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, and the Orlando Magic beat the Charlotte Hornets 113-93 for their first victory of the season

OCTOBER 29, 2022 • Associated Press

Puts up 22 points in loss Wagner closed with 22 points (10-19 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 2-3 FT), five rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal across 35 minutes during Wednesday's 103-92 loss to the Cavaliers.

Impact This was Wagner's best scoring output of the campaign, and it was also the first time he surpassed the 20-point mark, a figure he'd only reached in the season opener. While he's yet to record a double-double, the fact that he's consistently scoring in double digits while also putting up decent passing and rebounding numbers should make him an appealing fantasy alternative in most formats.

OCTOBER 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Hands out five dimes in loss Wagner totaled 14 points (5-15 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), six rebounds and five assists in 36 minutes during Monday's 115-102 loss to New York.

Impact Wagner was serviceable in the loss, something that can probably be said when referring to his season thus far. A solid mid-round target in most drafts, he has been unable to push forward as many had hoped. While he has been a little disappointing, there is no reason to panic. Where he sits right now should be considered his floor moving forward, meaning the only way is up.

OCTOBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Grabs 20 points, five assists Wagner provided 20 points (8-18 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and five assists across 34 minutes in Wednesday's loss to Detroit.

Impact Wagner hit his first two shots of the game before getting stuffed on a driving layup attempt by Jalen Duren and finishing the first quarter with six points on 3-of-4 shooting. He added another five points in the second, but also turned the ball over four times in the first half and five times in the game overall, which led the team. The Magic small forward did tie with rookie Paolo Banchero for the team lead in assists with three of them coming in the fourth quarter.

OCTOBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Paolo's diary: Magic rookie getting set for his NBA debut

Orlando Magic rookie Paolo Banchero will do a periodic diary on his season for The Associated Press

OCTOBER 18, 2022 • Associated Press

Struggles from field in win Wagner accounted for 13 points (4-12 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds, four assists and a steal across 21 minutes in Friday's 114-108 preseason win over the Cavaliers.

Impact Wagner wasn't sharp with his shot and needed 12 field goal attempts just to score 13 points, but he made up for that lack of efficiency with solid contributions in other categories. Expect him to operate as one of Orlando's go-to players on offense regularly.

OCTOBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Anunoby scores 32, Raptors beat Celtics in overtime 137-134

OG Anunoby scored 32 points and Scottie Barnes added 25 as the Toronto Raptors defeated the Boston Celtics in 137-134 in overtime in Montreal

OCTOBER 15, 2022 • Associated Press

Double-double in win Wagner produced 14 points (5-10 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, seven assists and two steals in 30 minutes in Tuesday's 109-105 win over Memphis.

Impact Wagner crashed the boards early, hauling down six rebounds in the first period while playing 10 minutes. His scoring was evenly distributed throughout the game as he scored three or four points in each quarter. The 21-year-old recorded just two double-doubles in his rookie campaign but managed to do so Tuesday in his second preseason contest.

OCTOBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Tuesday Wagner will start Tuesday's preseason contest against the Grizzlies, Khobi Price of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Impact Wagner was held out of Friday's exhibition contest for rest purposes, but he'll be back in the mix Tuesday. The Magic will start Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter in the frontcourt for the first time during the preseason, which figures to be a go-to lineup for Orlando during the regular season.

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Orlando's young roster now includes young star Banchero

Top overall pick Paolo Banchero is the latest big addition to the Orlando Magic youth movement

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • Associated Press

Sitting out Friday Wagner (coach's decision) won't play Friday against the Mavericks.

Impact It appears Wagner will get the night off for rest purposes after he played 22 minutes during Thursday's exhibition contest. The talented second-year forward suffered an ankle injury while playing for Germany in EuroBasket 2022, but the issue hasn't impacted him during training camp.

OCTOBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Records 12 points, three assists Wagner finished with 12 points (4-8 FG, 1-4 3 Pt, 3-3 FT), three assists, two rebounds and a steal in 22 minutes during Thursday's win over the Spurs.

Impact It was a first quarter to forget for Wagner, going 1-of-3 from the field, including a missed layup, while also committing two turnovers in the period on an offensive foul and a pass out of bounds. However, the Magic forward was solid in the second, grabbing two assists and a steal while also knocking down a three on an assist from Paolo Banchero. Wagner was 3-of-5 from the field with 10 points from the second quarter on.

OCTOBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Thursday Wagner will start Thursday's preseason game against the Spurs.

Impact Wagner missed the preseason opener for rest purposes, but he'll rejoin the starting five Thursday as Mo Bamba shift to the bench. Wagner should remain an important part of Orlando's rotation in 2022-23 after averaging 15.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game last season.

OCTOBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Adebayo, Cain lead Heat over Durant, Simmons and Nets

Bam Adebayo scored 17 points and undrafted rookie Jamal Cain added 15 points and 11 rebounds as the Miami Heat defeated the Brooklyn Nets 109-80

OCTOBER 6, 2022 • Associated Press

Expected to play Wednesday Wagner is expected to be available for Wednesday's preseason action versus the Spurs, Khobi Price of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Impact Wagner missed Monday's preseason game due to rest but will likely play Wednesday. Wagner may experience some more load management in the preseason due to his deep EuroBasket run but should be fine once the regular season rolls around.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Resting Monday Wagner (rest) is out for Monday's preseason contest against the Grizzlies, Dan Savage of the Magic's official site reports.

Impact After participating in EuroBasket during the offseason, the Magic are opting to rest their young forward for Monday's preseason opener. Wagner's next opportunity to suit up for Orlando comes Thursday in San Antonio.

OCTOBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Magic build a new facility, now try to build a winner

Every Orlando Magic locker inside the newly built AdventHealth Training Center comes with its own walk-in closet

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • Associated Press

'Dirk Is Like Michael Jordan for German Kids': Franz Wagner, Magic Heir Mavs Icon Nowitzki? Wagner’s full role in Orlando is yet to be clearly defined. … making it all the more difficult to guess at his ceiling.

AUGUST 18, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Playing in FIBA tournament Wagner (ankle) is included on Germany's 16-man preliminary roster for the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 tournament.

Impact Wagner's inclusion on the roster confirms he's made a full recovery from the minor ankle injury that kept him sidelined for the Magic's final two games of the regular season. The 21-year-old forward averaged 15.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.2 three-pointers and 0.9 steals in 30.7 minutes per contest as a rookie, but Wagner could have to sacrifice some touches on the offensive end in his second season with the Magic adding No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero to the frontcourt in 2022-23.

JULY 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

It's Banchero to Orlando: Magic grab Duke standout at No. 1

Paolo Banchero has been insisting for weeks that he believes he’s the best prospect in the NBA draft

JUNE 24, 2022 • Associated Press