We love Franz but are we underrating him still?

[KillMonger]

I’ll say it again - I’m betting Paolo takes a step back before he takes a leap forward. The only hope is he already went through some of that in his rookie season.

I don't see a step back coming. He was guarded by the DPOY everyday in practice for the last month. When he looks across and sees the Tobias Harris, Jalen Smith, Obi Toppins of the world trying to guard him his confidence will be sky high.

Also, pretty much all 20 ppg rookies have drastic jumps in their shooting percentages in year 2 (fg% and 3fg%).

I'm with tooler here... I see Paolo probably having the same season offensively. But he'll be a much better all around player and a better shooter.

You won't see a drastic jump until year 3 imo. Maybe he'll surprise me.

So a step forward but not a jump

Sent from the phone in my hands

[Skybox]

I’ll say it again - I’m betting Paolo takes a step back before he takes a leap forward. The only hope is he already went through some of that in his rookie season.

I don't see a step back coming. He was guarded by the DPOY everyday in practice for the last month. When he looks across and sees the Tobias Harris, Jalen Smith, Obi Toppins of the world trying to guard him his confidence will be sky high.

Also, pretty much all 20 ppg rookies have drastic jumps in their shooting percentages in year 2 (fg% and 3fg%).

I'm with tooler here... I see Paolo probably having the same season offensively. But he'll be a much better all around player and a better shooter.

You won't see a drastic jump until year 3 imo. Maybe he'll surprise me.

Sounds right…I’d be happy with the same 20ppg but better efficiency, defense, and rebounds…and WINS!

I see/hope Franz gets to 20ppg by not passing on as many 3’s and being a little more aggressive on both ends, then…the third offensive option must emerge. Who will it be? Suggs, Fultz, Howard, Black, Cole, Herro?

[pepe1991]

Franz averaged 18,6 ppg last year on 14 shots, i would be very suprised if he isn't 20 ppg this year with some 15-16 shots a game.

But i would also like to see 5+ RPGs

[eyriq]

Franz averaged 18,6 ppg last year on 14 shots, i would be very suprised if he isn't 20 ppg this year with some 15-16 shots a game.

But i would also like to see 5+ RPGs

Yeah, his usage as a second option was below average. With his efficiency and average second option usage he's a 20ppg scorer.

[HighPack]

The NBA’s GMs consider Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (23%), Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (20%), and Magic forward Franz Wagner (13%) the top candidates for a breakout year.

[drsd]

ESPN lists F-Wagner as the 52nd best player in the NBA. That would have him as the 8-11th best SF. Sounds about correct.

[G-Heel]

ESPN lists F-Wagner as the 52nd best player in the NBA. That would have him as the 8-11th best SF. Sounds about correct.

Yea, can't be mad about that. Franz is above some decent players on that list. Let's hope he has a great season and jump even higher next year.

[Last Guardian]

Franz is more skilled than Paolo and probably always will be. Paolo is an alpha though...bigger and more athletic than almost everyone at his position, and very aggressive about scoring. They are theoretically a perfect combo.

[tooler]

I'm officially concerned that the mainstream media has discovered Franz. They ruin everything. I liked him being our little secret.

From the ESPN top 100 analysis:

5. Which player outside the top 50 has the best chance to enter the top 25 next season?

Pelton: Franz Wagner. After averaging 18.6 PPG at age 21, Wagner vaulted from off the list a year ago to No. 52 now. Another year of development for Wagner and more attention on the Magic if they can contend for a spot in the play-in tournament could put him on the cusp of an All-Star appearance.

Marks: The obvious answer is Zion, but I am going outside the box and select Wagner. I don't read much into the preseason, but the Orlando forward had an efficient nine points on 4-for-6 shooting from the field in only 15 minutes Tuesday against New Orleans. The short sample was enough for Pelicans forward Larry Nance Jr. to comment that Wagner is a top three under-appreciated talent in the league. Wagner averaged 13.4 points in this summer's FIBA World Cup and help lead Germany to a gold medal, averaged a career-high 18.5 points last season and has missed only four games in two years.

[pepe1991]

Not sure how Zion menaged to stay outside top 50 tho

Anyway, without world cup, we could have hoped Franz goes under radar and doesn't get max contract, but i think that hope is gone.

Franz is getting his ( deserved) max exstension after this season.

[eyriq]

I'm officially concerned that the mainstream media has discovered Franz. They ruin everything. I liked him being our little secret.

From the ESPN top 100 analysis:

5. Which player outside the top 50 has the best chance to enter the top 25 next season?

Pelton: Franz Wagner. After averaging 18.6 PPG at age 21, Wagner vaulted from off the list a year ago to No. 52 now. Another year of development for Wagner and more attention on the Magic if they can contend for a spot in the play-in tournament could put him on the cusp of an All-Star appearance.

Marks: The obvious answer is Zion, but I am going outside the box and select Wagner. I don't read much into the preseason, but the Orlando forward had an efficient nine points on 4-for-6 shooting from the field in only 15 minutes Tuesday against New Orleans. The short sample was enough for Pelicans forward Larry Nance Jr. to comment that Wagner is a top three under-appreciated talent in the league. Wagner averaged 13.4 points in this summer's FIBA World Cup and help lead Germany to a gold medal, averaged a career-high 18.5 points last season and has missed only four games in two years.

Wow, our boys all grown up. We are running out of territory to flex our homer muscles.

[tooler]

Not sure how Zion menaged to stay outside top 50 tho

Anyway, without world cup, we could have hoped Franz goes under radar and doesn't get max contract, but i think that hope is gone.

Franz is getting his ( deserved) max exstension after this season.

The funny thing is my biggest concern about a max is whether he asserts himself on the court. If he doesn't do that, maybe he doesn't assert himself in contract negotiations either. I'm good with both results!

[JBSouthpaw]

I feel like both PB and Franz can have off games shooting, but both can (and need to keeping getting better at) contributing other ways (assists & rebs).

[tooler]

Teams should also know by now that they're the two biggest threats on the court, so they're going to draw a lot more attention from the defense. The rest of the team needs to capitalize.

[Skybox]

Not sure how Zion menaged to stay outside top 50 tho

Anyway, without world cup, we could have hoped Franz goes under radar and doesn't get max contract, but i think that hope is gone.

Franz is getting his ( deserved) max exstension after this season.

The funny thing is my biggest concern about a max is whether he asserts himself on the court. If he doesn't do that, maybe he doesn't assert himself in contract negotiations either. I'm good with both results!

Worst combo is aggressive agent and passive player...I'm not calling Franz that, but I do agree he could be whatever he wants in this league.

[pepe1991]

Not sure how Zion menaged to stay outside top 50 tho

Anyway, without world cup, we could have hoped Franz goes under radar and doesn't get max contract, but i think that hope is gone.

Franz is getting his ( deserved) max exstension after this season.

The funny thing is my biggest concern about a max is whether he asserts himself on the court. If he doesn't do that, maybe he doesn't assert himself in contract negotiations either. I'm good with both results!

Worst combo is aggressive agent and passive player...I'm not calling Franz that, but I do agree he could be whatever he wants in this league.

Well it will probably look like this



It should be opened and closed case. Designed max? Designed max. Designed max!

[DrPampiloni]

I don't see how you guys are worried about paying Franz. This coming from a (biased) German fan, but he is a no-brainer. Plays winning basketball on both sides of the court. Zero diva attitudes. There were questions about his 3pt shot, but it looks like fire so far in the pre-season.

[eyriq]

I don't see how you guys are worried about paying Franz. This coming from a (biased) German fan, but he is a no-brainer. Plays winning basketball on both sides of the court. Zero diva attitudes. There were questions about his 3pt shot, but it looks like fire so far in the pre-season.

I'll be surprised if anyone is worried about paying Franz. The dude is pure money

[RookieStar]

I don't see how you guys are worried about paying Franz. This coming from a (biased) German fan, but he is a no-brainer. Plays winning basketball on both sides of the court. Zero diva attitudes. There were questions about his 3pt shot, but it looks like fire so far in the pre-season.

Who said we are worried about paying Franz? As far as I know we don't have any MAX player signed and 99% of us has no problem paying him that type of contract.

[Skin]

People will know the name FRANZ in the same breath of air that they know DIRK.