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Magic Center Moe Wagner Can 'Go Up Another Level'

Moe Wagner faces free agency this summer and the Orlando Magic must decide if it wants to re-sign him to a new deal.

ORLANDO - Orlando Magic center Moe Wagner plays a crucial role for his team.

As a high-energy leader off the bench, Wagner may not be the best or most well-rounded player, but he has a lot of what you cannot teach to basketball players.

That's part of the reason why The Athletic ranked Wagner as the 12th-best center in free agency this summer.

"Orlando’s other Wagner proved he wasn’t just there to babysit, playing well enough to oust Bamba from the backup center role," The Athletic writes. "Wagner is still a vulnerable defender whose only move is taking a charge, but that’s easier to live with when you average 26.1 points per 100 on 63.0 percent true shooting. Wagner could actually go up another level if he can get his 3-pointer to drop more consistently — he’s at 31.9 percent for his career, but that hasn’t stopped him from firing away."

Wagner is a key cog to the Magic in terms of its chemistry. Given the fact that Wagner plays with his little brother Franz is a "huge advantage" for the two of them and the team as a whole. However, if a pure upgrade came about, then the Magic would have to consider a world without Moe.

If the team found a better player than Moe Wagner, it will likely be someone who can protect the rim or defend better than he can.

That being said, a lot of what Moe brings to the table can't be taught nor can it be seen in a box score. That's why if the Magic ultimately decide to bring him back, it's because the team sees something that others don't.


You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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