Last season, Paolo Banchero averaged 25.9 points per game, leading the Orlando Magic in scoring. One of his teammates posted the fourth-best scoring average on the team with 12.9 points, despite playing in only 30 games due to an ACL injury.
Still, the Magic decided to give that player another opportunity, signing him to a $5 million deal. The player is Moritz Wagner, one of the German players on the roster, who will return for another season alongside Banchero.
“Free agent forward/center Moe Wagner has agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal to return to the Orlando Magic, sources tell ESPN. Wagner’s agent, Jason Glushon, reached the new contract with Magic executives on Friday,” reported Shams Charania on X.
Magic sticking with Moritz
Despite his limited number of games last NBA season before the injury, Wagner was seen as a top contributor. Charania even noted in his report that “through his 30 games, Wagner had emerged as a Sixth Man of the Year candidate and led NBA in PPG among players to average under 20 minutes.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 02: Goga Bitadze #35,Paolo Banchero #5 and Moritz Wagner #21 of the Orlando Magic react to the loss to the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on December 02, 2023 in New York City. The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Orlando Magic 129-101. Elsa/Getty Images
Wagner has averaged over 10 points per game in three straight seasons with Orlando. Since joining the team in the 2020–21 season, he’s had some of the best years of his career and has also shared the court with his younger brother, Franz.
How much has Moritz earned in Orlando?
Orlando has been by far the most lucrative stop in Wagner’s career. He’s earned $22.8 million with the Magic—far more than the $5.78 million combined from his time with the Lakers, Wizards, and Celtics.
