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Los Angeles Lakers: Moritz Wagner signs rookie deal

By Nick Ziegler

EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 26: Moritz Wagner #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrait after an introductory press conference at the UCLA Health Training Center on June 26, 2018 in El Segundo, California. 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 26: Moritz Wagner #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrait after an introductory press conference at the UCLA Health Training Center on June 26, 2018 in El Segundo, California. 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers have signed Moritz Wagner to his rookie deal. What does this mean for the team in terms of a possible trade using him?

With the 25th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers surprised many by selecting Moritz Wagner from Michigan. While Wagner was a very good player at Michigan, taking him in the first round might have been a bit of a stretch for the Lakers.

However, Wagner has the ability to stretch the floor as a big man, and that has become very important in the NBA now. With Wagner signing his rookie deal, this means that the Lakers will be unable to trade him for 30 days.

Since the Lakers have been reportedly tried to acquire Kawhi Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs, them not being able to trade Wagner certainly is significant. As a first-round pick, Wagner would certainly have value in a potential trade.

With the price for Leonard likely being very high, the Lakers could use all of the assets they have to present the Spurs with tempting offers. However, with Wagner signing, it could be an indication that the Spurs either weren’t interested in him, or that the Lakers aren’t going to try and trade him for Leonard.

For the Lakers, Wagner looks like he could be a good replacement for Brook Lopez, who is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Wagner, like Lopez, is a very good three-point shooter that will be able to space the floor nicely for Los Angeles. However, while Wagner could be a good weapon on offense, he has a lot of work to do on the defensive end of the court.

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As a shot-blocker, Wagner was a non-factor in college, which isn’t good considering his size. Also, as a rebounder, Wagner didn’t produce as well as he should have for his size. Despite some weakness as a rebounder and on the defensive end, Wagner should be playing a significant role for the Lakers as a rookie.

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