The Orlando Magic have a promising young superstar in Paolo Banchero, but no organization wins the ultimate prize behind one player. Every championship-winning team consists of a star duo, such as Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, etc. As the popular saying goes, "every Batman needs a Robin," and the Magic have that in Franz Wagner.
The German forward was the eighth pick in the 2021 draft. He's shown improvement year after year, but last season was a statement for him. Wagner averaged 24.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and shot 46.3 percent from the field. There's a ton of upside; however, the lack of three-point efficiency has been the main thing missing from his arsenal. Wagner is shooting just 32.2 percent for his career thus far.
Despite not being a threat from outside the arc, Wagner has shown the ability to impose his will inside the paint and attack the rim. This summer, he participated in the EuroBasket tournament for Team Germany and giving the fan base optimism for the upcoming season.
In nine matches, Wagner averaged 20.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and shot 46.4 percent from the field. The international competition was an opportunity for him to improve his three-point shooting. Unfortunately, it didn't go well, as the 24-year-old shot just 28.9 percent from behind the arc.
Wagner was still a star in EuroBasket, leading Team Germany in points and also winning gold.
The Magic are expecting their young star to take another leap for the upcoming season as they prepare to compete for a championship.
In a post by ClutchPoints, they put together a list of potential first-time All-Stars. A new generation is rising as icons such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry are near the end of their Hall of Fame careers.
The list mentioned Wagner, alongside Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson, Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren, Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg, and Boston Celtics All-Defensive guard Derrick White.
It's a great list of young talent, but Wagner would have the best chance out of all the other names mentioned.
Holmgren, who just won a championship, is the third-best player on the Thunder team. It's rare for one team to have three All-Stars in the same season. Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley accomplished that for the Cleveland Cavaliers last year. Another key note for Holmgren is health. He only played 32 games last season due to a hip injury. The potential is there for the former lottery pick, but so much would have to go his way.
Thompson is in a similar situation with the Houston Rockets, but as the fourth-best player on the team, behind Kevin Durant, Fred VanVleet, and Alperen Sengun. He's bound to be a multiple-time All-Star throughout his career, but next season might be too soon.
Cooper Flagg has tremendous potential, but the last time a rookie made an All-Star team in the same season was Blake Griffin in 2011. Also, given the competition in the Western Conference, the odds aren't in his favor.
White has a great chance, but with Jayson Tatum likely to miss the entire year, there are questions about the Celtics.
Wagner has the strongest chances to make the All-Star team this upcoming season ahead of all the other players listed. His success in EuroBasket only adds testimony to his potential as a two-way wing.
Wagner is also a spectacular defender and can guard multiple positions.
If Banchero and Wagner stay healthy, both will likely be named All-Stars. It would be the first time the Magic have had at least two in the same season since 2009 with Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, and Jameer Nelson.