Franz Wagner still projected as a lottery pick

Now that the NBA draft has its lottery order set, Michigan basketball’s Franz Wagner is still projected to go early, and here’s the latest on his stock. 

The 2021 NBA Draft Lottery took place on Tuesday night and the order for the 2021 NBA Draft is now set.

Michigan basketball fans who also root for the Detroit Pistons received great news with the Pistons receiving the No. 1 pick and the likely selection of Cade Cunningham. However, it was also an important night for determining the NBA home of former Michigan forward Franz Wagner.

Wagner has been projected as a lottery pick for months now and post-lottery, that has not changed. Sam Vecenie of The Athletic (subscription required) projects that the Pelicans will select Wagner 10th overall in a two-round mock draft.

CBS Sports mock drafts by Kyle Boone and Gary Parrish have Wagner going to the Kings 9th and the Pacers 13th, respectively.

Wagner projects as a 3-and-D wing at the next level. At 6’9, he has the length, lateral quickness, and basketball IQ to guard positions 1-3 (and some undersized 4’s) on the wing.

The key for Wagner will be developing his 3-point shot. Wagner has one of the prettiest strokes that you will find, but last season he shot just 34.3% from three. However, his 83.3% rate at the free-throw line suggests that the shooting stroke is in him. If Wagner becomes a 38-40% 3-point shooter, he will be a high-level role player for a long time.

The best fits for Franz Wagner

Of the three teams Wagner has been mocked to, I like the Pacers as his best fit both in terms of the path to playing time and player development.

The Pelicans need wing players to surround their two best players Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. However, Ingram and Wagner play the same position. The Pelicans could get him on the floor by playing Ingram at the two, but they also have Josh Hart, Eric Bledsoe, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Kira Lewis in the backcourt.

New Orleans will also be on its third coach in three years and aren’t the best organization for developing young talent.

In Sacramento, Wagner could become a starter early on in his career, especially if the Kings decide to move off Harrison Barnes. However, the Kings are even worse at player development, as we saw how former Wolverine Nik Stauskas’ career played out. The Kings have not made the playoffs since the 2005-2006 season.

The Pacers will get TJ Warren back from injury next season, but if they want to continue playing faster as they did at the end of this season, they could slide Warren to PF and move Myles Turner.

Wagner could be a floor spacer for them and he would be playing with three solid to excellent passers in Caris Levert, Malcolm Brogdon, and Domantas Sabonis.

The Pacers are quietly one of the better organizations in the NBA and are always in playoff contention. Also, it would be cool to see Wagner playing next to another former Michigan basketball standout in Caris Levert.

Wagner averaged 12.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 3 APG for the Wolverines last season. He will find out where he begins his NBA career on July 29th.