Draft Analysis: Michigan Basketball, Mo Wagner in the NBA

Projected Ceiling

The NBA Draft is always fraught with player comparisons, as fans scramble to find the next Kobe or LeBron. Due to Wagner’s German heritage, the Dirk Nowitzki comparison would be an easy one. While Mo did occasionally break out the one legged fallaway, he has a very different game than his Mavericks predecessor.

I’ve been comparing the Michigan power forward to Kristaps Porzingis all season. The three point touch and deft handle are hallmarks for both players, but Porzingis has been labeled a unicorn. The Knicks big man is a shot blocking and rebounding presence due to a nightmare combination of size and length. Wagner has never been a shot altering big, and his defense revolves around steals (1 per game this year). In order to reach the level of Porzingis, Wagner will need an all around improvement on defense.

The next comparison might make readers pause for a couple of seconds, but Wagner also shares traits with Pelicans star DeMarcus Cousins. Now, some might ask what a bruiser like the 270 pound Boogie has in common with Mo’s string bean frame. Both are excellent in the pick and roll and the pick and pop. When you watch a Michigan or Pelicans game, its easy to see how Wagner and Cousins stretch a defense. They are threats rolling to the basket, but can also hit from deep. Both Mo and Boogie are excellent at shot fakes, so when they space out, it opens up driving lanes that other big men don’t have due to a lack of handles. Beyond that, Wagner has some post moves similar to the former Kentucky Wildcat. Wagner also excels at the spin into a layup that Boogie has mastered.