LA Sports Hub
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: What rookie Moritz Wagner will bring to the table

By Lamarr Fields

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Moritz Wagner reacts after being drafted 25th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Moritz Wagner reacts after being drafted 25th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Moritz Wagner is entering an interesting situation in his rookie year in the NBA on the Los Angeles Lakers. Here is what to expect from the Michigan product.

With the 25th pick in the first round of the 2018 NBA draft, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Moritz Wagner — center from Michigan.

Wagner probably won’t get a chance to play much early on because of all the veterans the Lakers brought in, but I think he could still play a significant role for the team as the season goes on.

I believe that because Wagner is a decent shooter and the Lakers do not have much shooting on their roster as constructed at the moment. He could play the stretch four or even a stretch five if need be.

More from LA Sports Hub

This would provide the Lakers some much-needed floor spacing. It will give players like LeBron James and Lonzo Ball room to penetrate to the middle of the defense. If Wagner is hitting his outside shot, the big man would have to respect it and follow him out on the perimeter and not just hang out near the rim.

There will be a lot of pick and pop action with Wagner because of his shooting ability. Along with that, he also can put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket. Although he is not explosive, Wagner finishes well around the rim with his craftiness.

On defense, Wagner lacks quickness and is not that good at rim protecting. The one thing he will bring on defense is toughness and high effort. I think with some added strength he will develop into a decent defensive player because he will bring the energy and heart.

Another area of improvement for Wagner is rebounding. He did a better job rebounding in his senior year than in his junior year going from 4.2 to 7.1 rebounds a game. Wagner will get better rebounding with some added strength.

To start the season, I do not see Wagner playing much early on with the additions of center JaVale McGee and forward Michael Beasley, who will probably play some backup center this year.

I can see Wagner gaining minutes as the season goes on because of his ability to shoot the ball and provide floor spacing. Wagner will probably get about 15 minutes a night, that will help cover his defensive problems. I think he will be used kind of like the Golden State Warriors used Marreese Speights.

Related Story. Grading every move of Magic Johnson's tenure. light

In the end, I think Wagner will turn out to be a solid player for the Los Angeles Lakers if given a chance to play.

Home/Los Angeles Lakers