NBA Free Agency: Magic Re-Sign Moe Wagner?

Moe Wagner is the Orlando Magic's biggest in-house free agent. Will the team re-sign him?

Jeremy Brener | Apr 28, 2023

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic might not have a decision to make on any in-house free agents this offseason bigger than whether or not to bring Moe Wagner back.

The decision isn't one that will make or break the franchise, but Orlando has nearly the entirety of its core already signed on for next season (and for most of them, even beyond).

Bleacher Report offered some insight on Wagner's risk level if the Magic re-signs him.

"Orlando may not always need him to man the middle, but when it does, he delivers. He made 18 starts for the Magic this season and averaged 13.7 points and 6.8 rebounds with a 50.9/34.4/85.7 slash line in those contests," Bleacher Report writes. "He won't break the bank wherever he signs, which is probably reason enough for the Magic to bring him back. He could have some suitors, so he's not an absolute lock to stay, but more likely than not, he'll stick around."

Wagner is a serviceable backup big man in the NBA, and he brings a ton of energy regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench. His defense, especially in the post, is Wagner's biggest weakness, but his offense balances it out somewhat. If the Magic can't find a big man to replace Wagner in the draft or free agency, it could be in Orlando's best interest to have him back in central Florida for another go.

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Published Apr 28, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.