Indiana Pacers: 5 best options for the No. 13 pick in the NBA Draft
By Lance Legere
Indiana Pacers options with the 13th pick in the NBA draft: 4. Franz Wagner
You can never have enough wings in the NBA, and adding a player like Franz Wagner certainly fits that statement. Versatility is a must for any team and Wagner brings just that.
The 6’9″ forward logged 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 block per game with .477/.343 shooting splits while helping lead the Michigan Wolverines to the Elite Eight.
There isn’t one particular aspect of Wagner’s game that outweighs the other, but his ability to contribute on both ends of the floor is certainly something scouts are impressed by.
Defensively Wagner is an intriguing fit alongside Sabonis. You can go small with Sabonis at the center spot and Wagner at the four, or you can play Sabonis at power forward and place Wagner on the wing.
You wouldn’t have a problem with Wagner on switches as he has the ability to stay with smaller guards and even protect the rim against bigger forwards.
Like Kispert, Wagner can be a floor spacer. He may not be as efficient as the Gonzaga product, but Wagner can certainly be reliable.
Running offense through Wagner is even a possibility, something Michigan elected to do on numerous occasions this season, making him a seamless fit with any lineup you want to throw him into.
Wagner’s stock has increased greatly, making it possible that he may be long gone before pick 13. If he does fall, you can’t go wrong with adding an all-around wing-like Wagner, who is as versatile as they come in this year’s draft.