Orlando Magic: Could Franz Wagner be the franchise cornerstone?
By Luke Duffy
If you haven’t been watching the Orlando Magic at all this season, then a quick look at their standings would have you believe that this year has started like most others over the last decade – more losses than wins, and no clear superstar talent emerging to take them out of the doldrums.
Only, that’s not quite the case. This young group is a lot of fun to watch, and one which fans are gravitating to a lot quicker than previous iterations of the roster. Another return to the lottery is the most likely outcome here, but young players like Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs bring some fun, excitement, and tenacity.
Could Franz Wagner be the franchise cornerstone of the Orlando magic?
Recently, however, the unexpected emergence of rookie Franz Wagner has posed a question. Could he actually be their franchise cornerstone?
Every organization that is serious about winning needs their main guy, but for the Magic, this has taken on even greater importance. Nikola Vucevic, a two-time All-Star, once assumed this role.
The issue was he didn’t have a lot of help, and as we have seen with the surging Chicago Bulls so far this year, he works best as a third, or even overqualified fourth, option on a better team.
It was thought that Aaron Gordon could be that player. He wasn’t. Mario Hezonja had a brief, brief moment when fans thought he could be the one to lead them. Nope. Ironically Victor Oladipo had a period in his career where he was just that, but he had already been traded for Serge Ibaka by the time that came to fruition elsewhere.