Franz Wagner Fails to Shine Without Banchero, Hurting Orlando Magic

Since Paolo Banchero's injury, the Orlando Magic have lost four consecutive games, with their offensive efficiency plummeting to 29th in the league. Franz Wagner, who is regarded as the team’s second star, has struggled with his shooting during this period, demonstrating inconsistency that hampers his overall performance. At 6'10, Wagner possesses potential, being an adept playmaker and ball-handler, yet opposing teams primarily defend him by forcing drives. This has diminished his shooting opportunities. The Magic face challenges as they navigate Banchero’s absence, which could prompt them to shift their focus to other players, notably Jalen Suggs, who has similar shooting inconsistency but brings a different athletic approach that may help fill the gap left by Banchero. For the team’s playoff aspirations next season, the development of Wagner and his shooting is critical, though they cannot afford to wait indefinitely for his evolution as a key player.