Draft Analysis: Michigan Basketball, Mo Wagner in the NBA

Projected NBA Teams 

Most draft sites have Wagner undrafted. Despite that, we’ll use Chad Ford’s projection of the 20-25 range. If the projection holds, the teams drafting in those spots will be Portland, Oklahoma City, Brooklyn, and Toronto.

The Blazers have star guards in Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum and a roster full of wing slashers and screeners. They just traded for young post force Jusuf Nurkic, who could use a stretch four to give him room to operate. However, Portland has former Illinois big man Meyers Leonard working that role. Leonard doesn’t have the offense upside of Wagner, but the stronger body is important on defense. With Ed Davis and Noah Vonleh also getting minutes at the four, it’s unlikely Portland would reach for Wagner.

Michigan Wolverines Basketball

Oklahoma City is now Russell Westbrook’s team, for better or worse. Without their star guard, the Thunder struggle on offense. There’s a need for Wagner, with the sixth seed trotting out Taj Gibson and Domantas Sabonis at power forward. Gibson, recently acquired from the Bulls, is a great rebounder and defender but his range is twelve feet from the basket. Sabonis is a nice piece with good low post skills, but lacks Mo’s shooting touch and dribbling ability. Wagner could be a great piece to stretch the four alongside bruising center Steven Adams. Still, with such weak wings and guards, the Thunder may look for offense elsewhere.

Brooklyn is the worst team in the league, with only one legitimate starter in Brook Lopez. They can use any pieces they can get their hands on. It would also mean a reunion for Wagner and former Michigan teammate Caris LeVert. It would also offer Mo the most minutes, but for his sake, let’s hope he goes to a better team.

The Raptors are intriguing, with both their starting and backup power forward entering the prime of their careers. Serge Ibaka is what the ideal version of Wagner would be, a stretch forward that doubles as a defensive presence. Patterson is also a shooter, but more of a physical player than Ibaka despite being the same size. The Raptors are plagued by offensive meltdowns due to a lack of ball movement. A pick and roll big man who can also put the ball on the deck would be a major upgrade for their offense. Wagner would provide a solid contrast to the iso ball of Kyle Lowry and Demar DeRozan. Wagner doesn’t hold the ball long on his post ups and does a good job of finding secondary action of the pick and pop.

Bottom Line: 

It’s tough to predict where Wagner will end up. CBS Sports and DraftExpress don’t even rank the sophomore in the top 60 of eligible prospects. With his frame and occasionally inconsistent play, the Berlin native might be better served coming back to school. He’s still young for his grade, so another college season won’t count against his upside. Wagner does have NBA upside on offense, so some team might be willing to take a gamble.

Next: Top 10 Michigan Running Backs of All Time

GBMWolverine will be here for updates if Wagner does decide to come back to Michigan by May 24. If not, we’ll help you track his workouts and what NBA scouts have to say about his game. Next up on Draft Analysis, DJ Wilson.