2018DD
#25 – Moritz Wagner – Los Angeles Lakers
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated22 Nov 2021
After acquiring a first-round pick in a mid-season trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Michigan Center Mortiz Wagner with the 25th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.
The 6-foot-11 junior projects as a capable scoring option at the center position. Wagner can provide a lot on the offensive end as he can score down low, set screens effectively while also being able to pop out to shoot from the outside. At Michigan, Wagner put up 14.6 points, 7.1 rebounds per game while also shooting 39.4 percent from three-point range. While Wagner can shoot from distance and also can take the ball off the dribble in limited situations. While Wagner can provide value on offense and is a decent rebounder, he is not a defensive standout that can achor a team’s defense.
There had been a lot of speculation that Kevin Hueter would be available when the Lakers made their pick. Instead, Hueter is off the board and so the Lakers shift their focus to adding the talentend big man. Wagner projected as a late first round, early second round prospect that provides value on the offensive end. The Lakers currently have a strong core of talented guard and wing talent and have now bolstered their front court with Wagner.
