Could Moritz Wagner be a part of the Memphis Grizzlies Future?

Moritz Wagner was a star for the Michigan Wolverines this year, taking them to the national title game. Could he be a target for the Memphis Grizzlies?

Moritz Wagner undoubtedly helped his future prospects in the NCAA Tournament. He continued to show his strong inside-outside offensive game and paired that with some improvement on defense. The way he dominated the glass against Loyola (15 total rebounds, six offensive rebounds), and the relentless hustle he displayed at all times may convince NBA teams that he can be more than a defensively-porous stretch 4. Expect to hear the German’s name called early in the second round.

Could he be a second-round target for the Memphis Grizzlies?

NBA Future

Moritz Wagner is a talented big man. He’s very good on the offensive end and is a capable defender for the most part. He may not be strong enough to guard some NBA bigs, but he makes up for that in hustle. Wagner plays harder than any of the other NBA prospects in this year’s class.

If he continues to work hard, he should be able to carve out a long career as a succesful role player. His ability to stretch the floor could really be a nice part to a team’s second unit.

His potential isn’t as high as a lot of the prospects in this class, but his floor his higher due to his work ethic. He was Michigan’s star player this year, and he still was one of the most hard-working guys on the floor every game.

If he didn’t play as hard as he does against Loyola, they may have lost that game. They could’ve very possibly fallen behind by 15 points or so if he didn’t take over that game. Instead he dominated and got his team to the national title game, where they did lose to Villanova — but it was still a great performance.

Wagner had 24 points, 15 rebounds and even three steals against Loyola in the national semifinal — which included three for seven shooting from beyond the arc. He had 16 points and seven boards against really tough defense in the loss to Villanova.

He Fits In Memphis

Moritz Wagner would be a great fit as the backup power forward for the Memphis Grizzlies. Yes, they have a few guys already seemingly stuck in that role, but Wagner would even be a better fit than those guys.

Ivan Rabb, Jarell Martin and Deyonta Davis are both trying to secure a spot long-term with the Grizzlies, but neither has been that impressive. Yes they are still very young so the team may not want to move on from them, but they should consider it.

The Grizzlies have a similar logjam in the backcourt too. They have so many young guys who are all battling to get a role with this team. Wagner is a guy who could earn that. His ability to stretch the floor is a need for NBA teams from their bigs, and Memphis doesn’t really have that from their second unit.

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If Wagner could come into Memphis and play as hard as he did in college, and shoot the ball well, then he has a shot at a really succesful career wherever he ends up.

He is expected to go early second as of now, which would be right where the Memphis Grizzlies select. I’m not sure if they would take a big here if that’s what they do in the first round though. If they get Luka Doncic with their first selection, then they should consider taking Wagner.

Moritz Wagner is going to come in and work hard and shoot the ball well. I want a guy with that kind of passion on my team instead of having to play against them. Whether it’s in Memphis or not, Wagner has the tools to have a successful career.