Orlando Magic's Franz Wagner Ready to Take 'Advantage' of Opportunity

Franz Wagner remains one of the Orlando Magic’s most important offensive pieces, using his 6-foot-10 frame and shooting ability to create matchup problems on the wing. The 25-year-old has continued to produce at a high level alongside Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane, averaging 22.9 points over the past two seasons. 

Now entering a new season with chances, he’s looking to take advantage of his opportunity.

“Coming into this year,” Wagner said at media day. "Just realizing that we have a great team and great talent on the roster, and I think we got the right people around the team to reach our goals. When you have that opportunity, it's important to realize it and take advantage of it."

Wagner said his main priority this summer was getting healthy after dealing with a calf injury that ended last season for him personally and the Magic getting knocked out of the first round against the Detroit Pistons. He said he spent the first few weeks focused on rehab before taking some time away, traveling around Europe and spending time with friends and family in Germany.

Wagner also continued working on his body throughout the summer, emphasizing rehab is an ongoing process rather than something that simply ends once an injury feels better. Wagner worked on his shot as well before returning to the United States around August and reconnecting with his teammates and Orlando’s new coaching staff.

Wagner said the frustration from the past two seasons has reinforced how difficult it is to win in the NBA. With the league becoming increasingly competitive, he believes everyone within the organization needs to approach each opportunity with the same level of urgency.

Wagner feels the Magic have enough talent and the right people around the team to accomplish their goals, but he knows those opportunities cannot be taken for granted. He believes the team needs to recognize what it has in front of it and make the most of every chance it gets.

Wagner said the Magic need to turn the page and continue improving both as a team and as an organization, especially with the addition of coach Sean Sweeney. While Orlando has experienced some success in recent seasons, he believes there is still plenty of untapped potential within the group, and it begins with going further into the playoffs.

For Wagner personally, success will be measured by whether he feels the team, his teammates, and himself got everything possible out of the season. He acknowledged that the season will usually end in a loss for most teams, but his goal is to finish the year knowing the Magic maximized their potential and end it with a win.