{"id":344954,"date":"2026-07-19T02:56:10","date_gmt":"2026-07-19T02:56:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/344954\/"},"modified":"2026-07-19T02:56:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T02:56:10","slug":"paolo-praises-franz-as-key-to-the-orlando-magic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/344954\/","title":{"rendered":"Paolo praises Franz as Key to the Orlando Magic"},"content":{"rendered":"

When the Orlando Magic<\/a> held a 3-1 lead over the Detroit Pistons in the playoffs this past season, could the Magic have pulled out the upset if they had a healthy Franz Wagner available?<\/p>\n

This is the question that Magic fans will always wonder, but never know the answer to.<\/p>\n

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith asked Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero about this What If and more in a one-on-one interview on his own platform:<\/p>\n

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t,” Paolo told Smith when asked if he thinks the Magic – Pistons first round playoff series would have a different outcome if the team had Franz Wagner available.<\/p>\n

Paolo appreciates the balance Franz brings\"Paolo<\/p>\n

Dec 16, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) and forward Paolo Banchero (5) react after a play against the Boston Celtics in the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

On Franz as a teammate and a player, Paolo praised Wagner as not just a key to the team’s identity on the court, but as a needed leader and respected voice off it:<\/p>\n

Franz is an absolute key to our team. We are not the same when he is not out there. You can see that once he went down. <\/p>\n

Just the versatility he brings on both sides of the ball. Being 6-ft-10-in (tall), he is my height. He can guard 1-5, 1-4, high level defender.<\/p>\n

Then offensively, he just brings balance when he is attacking.<\/p>\n

He is a very cerebral and high IQ player. He is one of the leaders on our team. So, seeing him go down, not only was it a loss for what he does on the court, but it was a loss for his voice, for the presence that he brings.<\/p>\n

Paolo Banchero<\/p>\n

Paolo had a LOT of good things to say about his running mate, Franz Wagner: pic.twitter.com\/GeYhoR3WSw<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Chris Janssen (@ChrisJanssen) July 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Banchero shows up for his teammate in this interview, highlighting Wagner’s strengths on both sides of the ball along with his importance as a voice around the team.<\/p>\n

One stat that highlights impact is Dunks and Three’s Estimated Plus-Minus. (EPM)<\/p>\n

In 2025-26, Banchero rated in the 87th percentile overall with a +1.4 EPM while impacting the game positively on both ends: +0.9 on offense (84th percentile) and +0.5 on defense (81st percentile)<\/p>\n

Wagner’s ratings were almost double in impact within his role via this metric, albeit with less games played and slightly less usage.<\/p>\n

In 2025-26, Wagner rated in the 97th percentile overall with a +3.7 EPM. Franz posted an elite rating on both ends: +1.9 on offense (92nd percentile) and +1.9 on defense. (92nd percentile)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s 2 MIN of new Orlando Magic Head Coach Sean Sweeney\u2019s Defensive & Offensive Philosophies<\/p>\n

I asked Sean if this roster fits his Aggressive Switching Defensive style + how he will balance the Offense:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need\u2026 Education on Shot Quality, Shot Distribution, Shot Allocation\u201d pic.twitter.com\/EvwMKdDEGN<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ryan Kaminski NBA (@beyondtheRK) June 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

These two 6’10” big wings bring positive winning impact to both sides of the floor, making them elite two-way players from the start. When both are engaged and healthy, these are two versatile forwards who bring defense, downhill force drives, a high volume of paint touches, a high volume of free throws, and a paint and spray machine that thrives off hustle plays, kickouts, and points off turnovers.<\/p>\n

Orlando has shown at its best it can live up to that on-paper hype on the court; now with a new head coach roaming the sidelines in Sean Sweeney<\/a>, the big question is how he takes this north-south frontcourt force tag team to an even higher level as a tandem that is greater than the sum of its parts.<\/p>\n

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