Nets Free-Agent Signing of Wagner Paying Dividends Early On

The Brooklyn Nets made some significant additions this offseason in free agency, the NBA Draft, and through trades, acquiring veteran pieces for the bench unit and a former multi-time All Star in Julius Randle.

Moritz Wagner has been another big get for head coach Jordi Fernández, scoring 11.4 points per game in under 18 minutes per outing.

On Sunday, in the Nets' first victory of the season, Wagner scored 14 points, adding six rebounds and a block.

Wagner got going early in his first appearance off the bench, converting on his first four shot attempts, including a 3-pointer, and tallying ten points in the first half.

The longtime Orlando Magic big man added another four points in the second half, giving him a fourth-straight outing of at least 13 points.

Through Brooklyn's opening six games, Wagner has been one of the most-efficient players in the NBA, making 57.1% of his shot attempts (No. 14 in NBA).

He is also on pace to blow his previous career-best mark from 3-point range out of the water, making 58.3% of his long balls.

Entering the season, Wagner's added spacing was something that the Nets have not had at the center position in a long time, and he has delivered.

Wagner has made at least one 3-pointer in each game this season, and is beginning to force opposing big men to come out of the paint and show a hand on perimeter touches.

Another non-statistical attribute Wagner brings to the equation is toughness and ability to get under opposing team's skin, which he has already displayed.

Wagner plays with a high-level of energy and likes to talk to his opponents and referees, sometimes getting him into trouble.

But, this also allows him to impact the game mentally, and change the speed of the game when he enters off the bench.

The biggest question marks surrounding the Wagner-Day'Ron Sharpe pairing going forward are rim protection and rebounding consistency, as both players have never averaged more than 6.7 rebounds per game for a full year.

The Nets will have a big challenge on Monday night, taking on the reigning NBA champion New York Knicks.

The Knicks have gotten off to a slow start, sitting at 2-4, but have won two of their last three and remain one of the strongest units in the NBA.

Stacking together a two-game win streak would help the Nets get some momentum and give them a victory over one of the best teams in the league.

Brooklyn tips off against the Knicks at 7:30 p.m.