Should Nets’ Fernández Remove Wagner From Rotation?

Jordi Fernández may have to make a difficult decision about removing Moritz Wagner, who hasn't performed well, from the rotation.

The Brooklyn Nets have a -29.2 net rating, 98.6 offensive rating and 127.8 defensive rating in the 60 minutes Wagner is on the court, per Databallr. Those ratings even out to -1.0, 112.9 and 113.9 in the 130 minutes he's on the bench.

His stats don't reflect that Brooklyn struggles when he's playing. Wagner is averaging 10.3 points on 50/60/75 shooting splits, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists.

He scored double digits in back-to-back games against the Indiana Pacers last Sunday and the Boston Celtics on Tuesday.

The Nets' defensive woes have been their Achilles' heel in their winless start, and Wagner plays a role. He's not the shot-blocking center they need to back up Day'Ron Sharpe, who also isn't a rim protector.

Wagner acknowledged that's not his role during Brooklyn's media day in September. He said he prefers to defend the perimeter, which matches the aggressive defensive scheme Fernández runs.

The 6-foot-10 center recorded four steals in the preseason guarding Joel Embiid at the 3-point line. Wagner's pressure rattled Embiid, swiping at the ball and leading to a game-high eight turnovers.

Switching out to the perimeter is a valuable strength, but it pulls Wagner out of the paint. Brooklyn has allowed 40-plus points in the paint in every game, including back-to-back 50-plus points against Indiana and Boston.

Fernández must find a solution to the team's defensive woes, and phasing Wagner out of the rotation may be the answer.

However, roster politics are common in the league. The Nets signed the 29-year-old to a two-year, $18 million contract in free agency, including a mutual option next year.

Investing $18 million in a backup center and removing him from the rotation after five games is a bad look.

Brooklyn doesn't have alternatives at his position. Wagner is the only backup big, and Fernández would have to rely on Julius Randle or Danny Wolf to play small-ball center.

Five games is also a small sample size in an 82-game season. Making drastic rotation changes early in the season suggests Fernández is being reactionary.

Wagner does have time to bounce back and help improve Brooklyn's ratings when he's on the floor. He'll have that opportunity on Friday against the Detroit Pistons, as the team aims to snap a five-game losing streak and pick up its first win.