Skip to main content

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic is adopting an identity as it moves through its rebuild.

There was never a true "star" for the Magic as any player could break out on any given night. During the season, 11 different players led the team in scoring during the game.

However, Bleacher Report named its Magic "MVP" for the season and selected Franz Wagner among the fray.

"As the season's leading Rookie of the Year candidate, Banchero understandably got most of the attention headed Orlando's way, but Franz Wagner was quietly among the NBA's best forwards in 2022-23," Bleacher Report writes. "If you sort every player in the league by the average of their ranks in 10 catch-all metrics, Wagner finished in the top 50, with averages of 18.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists."

The award could have gone to a few people, including potential Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero, but Wagner's consistency throughout the season should be commended.

Wagner improved his rookie year numbers in nearly every category despite Banchero's addition as a playmaker in a similar position at power forward.

After just two seasons in the league, Wagner is proving to be a key piece for the Magic rebuild and Orlando needs him to continue this trajectory if the team wants to contend for the NBA Finals someday.


You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Magic? Click Here.

Follow The Magic Insider on Facebook.

Follow The Magic Insider on Twitter.

Want even more Orlando Magic news? Check out the SI.com team page here.