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Los Angeles Lakers have new stretch-5 in Moritz Wagner

By Kenneth Teape

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Moritz Wagner after being drafted 25th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Moritz Wagner after being drafted 25th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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With the No. 25 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Michigan center, Moritz Wagner.

The Los Angeles Lakers patiently waited until their turn in the 2018 NBA Draft. There were multiple moves made ahead of them, but they still, presumably, came away with their guy. With the No. 25 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Lakers selected Michigan center, Moritz Wagner.

Earlier in the day, it was reported that the Lakers were looking at Wagner given the type of player that they were looking for. The report said that they were looking at Wagner with one of their second-round picks, but decided to pull the trigger with their first rounder.

Wagner fit the bill of what they were looking for. Shooting and versatility are what Los Angeles was looking for and that is what they will get with the former Wolverine.

Wagner knocked down 39.4 percent of his 3-point attempts his last two seasons at Michigan. He was not shy letting it fly, as he knocked down 64 3-pointers during his junior season.

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In addition to his shooting range, Wagner is a good scorer inside as well. He is a good low post scorer and can score off the dribble as well. However, he doesn’t get to the foul line much, which is arguably the biggest knock against him offensively.

Wagner was much improved as a rebounder his junior year as well. He grabbed 7.1 rebounds per game as a junior after only pulling down 4.2 as a sophomore. He needs to continue developing in that area to remain on the court in the NBA.

Where Wagner really has to improve is in his athleticism and quickness. Wagner was exposed more often than you would like to see on defense. It often resulted in a lot of fouling, sending him to the bench at importune him. That also led to some inconsistency issues.

Luckily for Wagner and the Lakers, those are fixable things. They can get him in the gym and get him into a little better shape, his athleticism will come. His footwork is already very good, which is a good foundation to build upon.

Many fans will question why the Lakers passed on more athletic centers such as Robert Williams or Mitchell Robinson, Wagner is the more polished and established player. What those players would have provided defensively, Wagner will provide offensively.

Next: Complete 2018 First Round Mock Draft

Given the system that the Lakers play, Wagner shouldn’t have too much adjusting. He will fit in offensively, and the Lakers have enough athletes and defensive minded players that they should help cover for Wagner’s deficiencies.

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