Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner could be an All-Star for the first time.
It's no secret the Western Conference is loaded with much more talent than the Eastern Conference, which could work in the favor of one Orlando Magic player.
Franz Wagner had easily the best campaign of his career in 2024-2025, so it's reasonable to assume similar if not better production this year. If that's the case, Wagner could absolutely earn his first All-Star selection, which Bleacher Report predicts to happen.
The article wrote, "His counting stats, likely produced for a team that will be among the East's top four in February, should be more than enough for him to join teammate Paolo Banchero in the All-Star Game."
He averaged 24.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.3 steals on 46.3% shooting in 60 games last season. The way for Wagner to push himself over the hump is by improving his shooting from the outside. The 24-year-old shot just 29.5% from three-point range last year.
"If the Magic really blow past expectations, there's even a shot they get three entries," the article shared. "Desmond Bane is one of the best active players to never make an All-Star appearance, and he has as good of a shot as ever now that he's playing in the East. Unfortunately for him, Wagner's status as an international player gives him a clear advantage."
"Somebody has to join Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama and Luka Dončić on the non-U.S. squad," the article concluded.
The door is wide open for Wagner to land in the All-Star game. All he has to do is capitalize on it.
Magic Make Decision On Exhibit-10 Player
The Orlando Magic is planning to sign Colin Castleton to a two-way contract, senior NBA insider Michael Scotto reports.
The decision comes one day after Orlando concluded its preseason with a 132-125 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Castleton, who was one of Orlando’s players on an exhibit-10 contract, averaged 5.5 points for the Magic in two preseason appearances.
Castleton, 25, is a native of Florida and played college basketball at the University of Michigan (2018-2020) before transferring to the University of Florida, where he played from 2020-2023. During his time with the Gators, Castleton earned four SEC Player of the Week awards, becoming just the second player in school history behind Vernon Maxwell (5).
After a broken hand cut his final season with the Gators short, Castleton went undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft before signing a two-way deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. In July 2024, Castleton signed another deal with the Lakers. He was waived on Oct. 19, 2024.
After a short two-way stint with the Memphis Grizzlies, Castleton joined the Osceola Magic on Jan. 15 before signing a 10-Day contract with the Toronto Raptors on March 6. After his contract expired on March 26, Castleton returned to Toronto, signing a standard two-year deal on April 12.
After he was waived by the Raptors in July, Castleton signed an exhibit-10 deal with Orlando. In 42 career NBA games (four starts) Castleton has averaged 3.5 points and 3.2 rebounds.