Fresh off winning gold, Magic star Franz Wagner facing expectations

Apr 15, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) drives to the basket past Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) in the third quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Entering his fifth season in the NBA, Franz Wagner is coming off the best season of his career and his first time winning gold at EuroBasket this summer. As impressive as these last few months have been, he still feels like he can reach another level.

The Orlando Magic have also kept up with Wagner’s timeline following their aggressive offseason moves to solidify themselves as true contenders in the Eastern Conference. Despite his significant leap in ESPN’s top 100 players ranking, they suggest health is the main flaw that can hold him back.

“Wagner is coming off a summer in which he helped Germany win EuroBasket gold,” the article wrote. “Now, he will try to help Paolo Banchero and the Magic win the East. Orlando made moves to contend in the East, not just this season but for the foreseeable future, with the addition of Desmond Bane. Wagner will be a big part of that. He took a step forward last season by increasing his scoring average from 19.7 points in 2023-24 to 24.2. His assists and rebounding averages went up, but his shooting has to improve. Wagner missed 20 straight games last season with an oblique injury. An entirely healthy season from Wagner could lead to bigger things for him and the Magic.”

Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs, and Wagner played only six games together last season. Outside of health, one aspect Wagner can improve upon is his perimeter shooting. After his first two seasons hovering around 35.8 percent, his three-point shooting has taken a significant drop in the following two seasons to 28.8 percent, despite his attempts increasing.

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