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Fred Katz: FINAL: Magic 111, Knicks 102. Knicks fall to 0-3 on the season. Jalen Brunson 28-4-3 • Karl-Anthony Towns 22-14-4 • OG Anunoby 22-3-2 • Franz Wagner 23-13-9 (21 pts in fourth quarter). Magic shoot 18-42 from deep.
Dan Savage: Franz Wagner says he “plans on playing tomorrow” after fully participating in @OrlandoMagic practice today.
As The Stein Line first reported last Sunday, however, Orlando's Anthony Black is not expected to join that group after scant discussion between the sides to this point. The Magic remain big fans of the 22-year-old and don't want to trade him, league sources say, but Orlando also knows that its payroll can't withstand another pricey long-term deal with Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs and Desmond Bane all on long-term pacts and each of them making between $32.4 million (Suggs) and $41.8 million (Wagner) this season.
Jason Beede: Magic coach Sean Sweeney said the team will continue to evaluate Franz Wagner’s right shoulder and learn more. Wagner was able to do some “light work” during Sunday’s practice, Sweeney said.
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The Stein Line has been advised by sources briefed on the situation to classify an extension for Magic swingman Anthony Black as unlikely at this current juncture. Sources say that the sides have not engaged in any meaningful extension dialogue to date — not during the offseason or even since training camps began — because the Magic have concerns about the long-term financial obligations they have already stacked up by signing Jalen Suggs to a lucrative extension in addition to frontcourt stalwarts Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner and summer of 2025 marquee trade acquisition Desmond Bane.
Jason Beede: #Magic forward Franz Wagner said the first practice under Sean Sweeney reminded him a little bit of the German national team. “What makes Sweeney very unique is, one, how direct he is,” he said. “He’ll speak about things right away…”
Jason Beede: #Magic forward Franz Wagner said it’s “definitely a little weird” being alone at the house without his brother Moe Wagner by his side. Called it bittersweet but said they’re super grateful for the five years they had together in Orlando.
Working with star talent is nothing new for Sweeney. Over the course of his coaching career he’s helped All-NBA players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, Luka Doncic in Dallas and Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio unlock elements of their respective games. Now, the task at hand is getting franchise cornerstones Banchero and Wagner to reach new heights. “First and foremost, (what’s stood out is that) they're enjoyable to be around,” he said. “Their work habits have been exemplary this summer. Anytime we're talking about guys that we want to have a great year, which we want for all our players, but (especially when you) talk about those guys, we want them to set a standard for how we want to be and who we want to be. So, how we operate each day. They've done a great job with their work habits (and) their leadership by example. And then, to me, what they have done a great job of is their actions have allowed their voices to resonate with not only their teammates, but with the coaching staff. And then from that standpoint, they obviously have talent and skill that we want to utilize and make the most of.”
Matas Buzelis: "To be honest, who I really want to work with is Deni Avdija. I've been talking with him. It's just, I feel like I was shooting too many threes. I need to get to the rim more. I want to know like how he lowers his shoulder, how he attacks. I seen him in Vegas. We're supposed to work out this weekend. He's somebody, Franz Wagner, probably him, KD, of course. That's who everybody needs to work out with, but I think right now Deni Avdija."
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Word is that the Clippers are also among the teams that have expressed trade interest in Orlando's Goga Bitadze. The Stein Line has since learned, though, that the Magic have rebuffed inquires for the Georgian big man to this point. It appears that Orlando wants to retain Bitadze in part because it is bracing for the loss of Moritz Wagner, brother of Magic star Franz Wagner, in unrestricted free agency.
Sources say Moritz Wagner projects to have multiple suitors in free agency and a willingness to play elsewhere even though his brother Franz obviously remains a Magic cornerstone.
I just went through every pick from 2020 through 2024. That’s 150 first-round picks. First question: did they make an impact for more than a month or two for the team that drafted them? The obvious choices are Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball (2020); Cade Cunningham (2021) and Stephon Castle (2024). Throw in guys like Onyeka Okongwu (2020) and Anthony Black (2023) who clearly are difference makers for the teams that drafted them or traded for them on draft night. How many of that 150 total made the “good list”? 46. In total, less than a third of those first rounders have proved, on their original team, that they belong. For every Franz Wagner and Alperen Şengün we had a Patrick Williams or Kai Jones.
Injuries hit you hard this past year. How tough was that mentally and physically? Looking back, do you regret playing in the Berlin game, or did it worsen the injury? Franz Wagner: It was very challenging. At the end of the day, if we're not healthy as athletes, we can't do our jobs, so that's the most important thing. And so there's always that pressure that you need to be out there and perform and help the team out. So not being able to do that and not seeing the results in rehab, too, when you're going really hard, it was really frustrating for me. And basically, trying to rehab the same injury three times in a year was tough for me, always having the same kind of setback feeling. The way it went, I probably shouldn't have played. Everybody understands the situation that it was, and honestly, I hate to say it, but I don't really regret the decision to play. It was that special of a moment for me, and for a lot of other people who were there. So, it just happened to be a bad moment in time, probably, but maybe some people hate me for this, but it was a really special moment for my family and me. So, I was happy that I got the chance to at least be out there.
