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NBA Draft: Could Moritz Wagner offer the Bucks much-needed frontcourt shooting?

By Jordan Treske

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: NBA Draft Prospect, Moritz Wagner poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Combine circuit on May 15, 2018 at the Intercontinental Hotel Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: NBA Draft Prospect, Moritz Wagner poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Combine circuit on May 15, 2018 at the Intercontinental Hotel Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – MAY 18: (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – MAY 18: (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

What the experts say

(as of 6/6/18)

ESPN (Jonathan Givony): 32nd

The Ringer (Kevin O’Connor, Jonathan Tjarks, Danny Chau): 33th

Sports Illustrated (Jeremy Woo): 37th

Sporting News (Chris Stone): 30th

The Athletic (Sam Vecenie): 40th

The Stepien (Composite Rank): 45th

The Step Back (Brandon Kleen): 44th

Quotes:

Sam Vecenie of The Athletic writes that the improvements Wagner made from his sophomore season to his junior campaign have certainly improved his outlook in the NBA, but ponders whether the former Wolverine would be open to going the draft and stash route:

"“Wagner is a pretty well-defined prospect at this stage. He’s a terrific stretch-5 for the modern NBA as he’s a remarkably efficient shooter for his size from outside, and he can attack closeouts well when defenders get overzealous. His body control is great at his size, and his feel for when to dive or pop in pick-and-roll is outstanding. It’s also worth noting that Wagner took the predraft process to heart last year. He went back to Michigan and improved markedly as a rebounder, leading the Big Ten in defensive rebounding percentage. Additionally, he at least made strides on defense to where he is no longer a total sieve. But he’s still not exactly strong on the perimeter defensively, and teams will certainly look to exploit him out there in the NBA. It’s worth wondering if the German native would be willing to stash himself overseas for a year if a team late in the first round wanted to keep an asset there for a year in order to either hoard cap space for this summer or to not have too many rookie contracts on the roster. He could legitimately boost his stock with such a decision. But if he wants to play over here next year, he’s a second-round prospect because of the concerns on defense.”"

Jackson Hoy over at The Stepien pens that despite his defensive limitations on the NBA level, Wagner’s offensive skill set gives teams a unique weapon to deploy, no matter where he ends up landing on draft night:

"“Wagner’s package of face-up creation and off-ball shooting at 6-foot-11 will get plenty of looks from teams starting in the late first round. After a poor showing at the combine last year, Wagner returned to school and made huge improvements as a defender, rebounder, and ball-handler, making him much more interesting than the typical stretch big man he was last season. He still projects poorly on the defensive end in the NBA, but Wagner has the potential to be a unique offensive tool with his ability to create shots off the bounce and serve as a weapon in many shooting actions.”"

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