OKC Thunder: Shifts occur on Intentions week 4 rookie ladder
No 5 – Franz Wagner – Orlando Magic
Franz Wagner takes a step back in week four in production but stays on the ladder based on his overall production. New Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley is tasking Wagner with some tough defensive assignments.
Rookie category rankings:
- Steals: 1.4 – tied first
- Blocks: 0.6 – tied second
- Field Goals Made: 5.2 – fourth
- Points: 13.4 – tied fifth
- 3-pointers made: 1.6 – tied fifth
- Offensive rebounds: 1.3 – tied seventh
- Rebounds: 3.9 – eighth
- Assists: 1.9 – 12th
- Field Goal Percent: 44.5%
Considering the forward was selected three picks after Jalen Suggs it’s interesting he’s fitting in so much better than the former Gonzaga point guard.
Suggs is too talented not to figure things out but for now, figuring out his role and how to impact winning with Cole Anthony seemingly taking over as the Magic voice on and off the court is proving difficult for the young guard.
If he could shoot better that would fix a lot but for now, it’s Wagner who is outperforming Suggs in virtually every category. Factor in those defensive assignments and it will take a lot for Suggs to surpass his own teammate let alone the other top rookies on the ladder.
In week four the Magic played just two games (Nets, Wizards) with Wagner averaging 9.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 0.5 assists, and 3.5 steals. The latter bolstered his stock on the leaderboard to take the top rung for steals. Overall the Michigan alum lands on the top five of five rookie categories.