Franz Wagner's Priorities within Orlando Magic's Push for Immediate Victories

Getting Down to Brass Tacks with Franz Wagner: Fixing His Shooting Woes

The Orlando Magic wrapped up their season earlier this week following a playoff showdown with the Boston Celtics. During the exit interviews, one star backward that grabbed everyone’s attention was Franz Wagner, who reflected on his fourth NBA season and mapped out his off-season priorities as the team gears up for a more aggressive, "win-now" mindset.

Wagner, at 23 years old, concluded the 2024-25 campaign with personal-best averages of 24.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 46.3% from the field over 60 appearances. However, he experienced a hiccup with a torn oblique, sidelining him for a few games, but he managed to return and play a pivotal role in the Magic's late-season run and playoff effort.

"Yup, I'd say it's all about personal growth," Wagner shared. "I took on a slightly different position when Paolo [Banchero] got injured. Looking back, I think I handled it rather well and was content with how I played during that period."

Shaking Off the Dust on His Jumper

The injury timing couldn't have been worse. "You know, the injury happened at a crappy time because I felt our team was clicking. These things happen sometimes, though. I think I managed the rehab, the recovery stuff. I played well for the second half of the season... I improved in some areas, and I've spotted some things that require improvement too," Wagner candidly admitted.

One such area for improvement was his perimeter shooting. Despite a stellar overall performance, Wagner struggled from beyond the arc, shooting only 29.5% in the regular season and a dismal 18.9% during the playoffs. This was a major dip from his first two NBA seasons, where he shot 35.4% and 36.1%, respectively, from three-point range.

"Yeah, shooting's a single, repetitive motion – kinda like a golf swing – and the mental part plays a significant role," Wagner shed light on. "Repetition, confidence, and reps are crucial; also, mental attitude – sometimes you miss shots, and not every shot's perfect."

During the Magic's five-game series against defending champions the Celtics in the playoffs, Wagner averaged 25.8 points, 5.6 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 38.9 minutes per game, solidifying his importance to the Magic's long-term plans.

Magic Prez Sounds the Alarm: Ready to Compete Now

Wagner also weighed in on comments made by Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman earlier in the day, who stressed that the team is shifting to a more competitive phase, focusing on winning now.

"Yup, for sure," Wagner nodded. "We have a great vibe both in the gym and the facility, and individually, it's cool to hear that. I think it's a natural evolution of where we're headed."

Wagner also touched upon his relationship with fellow teammate Paolo Banchero, who is now eligible for a rookie max extension as he enters his fourth season.

"Yeah, I think we have a fantastic rapport," Wagner shared. "As our roles in the team possibly evolve, we know that we need to stay on the same page, have some serious discussions... I'm happy to keep chatting with him and playing alongside him. About his negotiations, though, I'm clueless – might just be a bit stress-free for him!"

As the Orlando Magic transitions into a contender, Franz Wagner’s growth, especially in his shooting and leadership, will remain essential to the team's aspirations of moving up a gear. Here's to a successful off-season for the young gun and the Magic as they fight for a spot at the top!

Insights:- Franz Wagner has identified perimeter shooting as his top priority during the offseason, particularly after a subpar playoff performance and a sharp decline in his shooting percentage compared to his first two seasons.- He believes that a mental approach, involving relaxation, confidence, and focus, will play a significant role in improving his shooting abilities.- Wagner will likely put in extensive off-season work to hone his shooting skills, particularly through physical repetition.

[1] Beforeitsnews.com, "Orlando Magic: Franz Wagner Ready to Address Shooting Woes Following Disappointing Playoffs," May 15, 2023.

[2] ESPN.com, "Franz Wagner Speaks on Win-Now Shift, Partnership with Paolo Banchero Following Orlando Magic's Playoff Exit," May 15, 2023.

[3] NBA.com, "Orlando Magic Back to the Drawing Board After First-Round Playoff Exit," May 14, 2023.

Franz Wagner's shooting woes during the playoffs have led him to prioritize improving his perimeter shooting in the offseason, aiming for a return to his first two NBA season form.
Wagner admits that a mental approach, involving relaxation, confidence, and focus, will be crucial in improving his shooting abilities, understanding that it's a repetitive motion similar to a golf swing.
As the Orlando Magic transition into a competitive phase, Wagner's growth, especially in shooting and leadership, will be essential in the team's aspirations of moving up a gear, striving for a spot at the top.
Magic President Jeff Weltman's comments about the team's shift towards a more competitive phase have been acknowledged by Wagner, who sees this as a natural evolution of the team's direction.