Moritz Wagner has agreed to re-sign with the Magic for $22MM over two years, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
The 27-year-old center became an unrestricted free agent on Sunday after Orlando declined its $8MM team option for next season. The move was made to maximize cap space heading into free agency, but there were multiple reports that Wagner and the team were interested in a new deal.
Wagner appeared in 80 games last season, making just one start, and averaged 10.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 17.7 minutes per night. He shot a career-best 60.1% from the field and 33% from three-point range as Orlando reached the playoffs for the first time in four years.
Wagner was drafted by the Lakers with the 25th pick in 2018 and played for three teams in his first three seasons before signing with the Magic late in the 2020/21 campaign. He has become a valuable reserve on one of the best young teams in the East.
Orlando has been active since the start of free agency, re-signing Goga Bitadze and Gary Harris along with Wagner, and luring Kentavious Caldwell-Pope away from Denver. The Magic still have some leftover cap room, though recent reporting suggested they may be focused on re-signing Joe Ingles and renegotiating Jonathan Isaac‘s contract.
As Magic fans, we’re glad that Moe and Goga got a raise and Gary was resigned, but please not at the expense of cutting cap space so short that signing much needed additional pieces is now almost impossible !!
Orlando is using the same formula that Boston started 5 years ago. Tatum, Brown, and Marcus Smart.. Boston patiently grow these three players together with bringing a superstar player, and although they added Kyrie Irving at some point the experiment did not went well. Orlando have Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs growing up together now maybe in two or three years from now Orlando will be the next Boston Celtics team.. only time will tell Go Magic.
I see a Carter trade comin here soon
Should have a lit bit of enhanced value as the C options leaguewide (trade and free agency) is just pitiful.
Wagner boys!(Shaq German voice)